N The quarterly GLAMORGAN Newsletter R P of the O National Association of Retired Police Officers Glamorgan Branch Winter, 2020 --------------------------------------------- President: Chief Constable SWP Mr. Jeremy VAUGHAN Chairman: Mr. D.M. Wood, 71 Deri Avenue, Pencoed, Bridgend. CF35 6TT Tel: 01656 861733 Vice Chairman: Mr. A. N. Hughes, 19, Broomfield Close, Tonteg, Pontypridd Tel: 01443 201470 Treasurer: Mr. G. Crowley, 7, Brook Way, Maesycelyn, Ton Teg, Pontypridd CF38 1PA Tel: 01443 201371 Secretary: Mr. A. Crocombe, 16, Deri Avenue, Pencoed, Bridgend. CF35 6TU Tel: 01656 861857 E-mail: [email protected] 1. Welcome to New Members We have several new members to welcome to the Branch this quarter, they being: Mr. Walter PENNELL of Coychurch, Bridgend; Mr. David H. HILLMAN of Neath; Mr. Paul R. HARWOOD of Coity, Bridgend; Mr. Paul COULTARD of Ton Pentre; Mr. Robert HUGHES of Bridgend; Mr. Graham VINCENT of Tonyrefail; Mr. Julian DODGE of Porthcawl; Mr. Neil ROPER of Porthcawl and joining us as a Duel Member with Swansea is Mr. John KNIGHT a warm welcome to you all and your partners, may you all have a very long, happy and healthy retirement and association with our Branch. As always we also welcome those partners of the below listed who have elected to remain members of the Glamorgan Branch of NARPO. 2. In Memoriam During this same quarter, we have received notification of the sad loss of the following members and friends: Ret.PC . 160 Huw Gareth (Chips) EVANS Ret.PS 1073 John (Jack) LAZARUS 24, Rockfields, 18, Glenwood Close, Nottage, Coychurch PORTHCAWL BRIDGEND CF36 3NS CF35 5GT Died 14th October, 2020 Died 19th October, 2020 Ret.PC.1105 John PHILLIPS Ret.Ch.Insp. Jack HARRIS 17, Manor Drive, “High Winds”, Nightingale Gardens, Coychurch St. Davids Manor, Church Village, BRIDGEND PONTYPRIDD CF35 5HA CF38 1GB Died 13th November, 2020 Died 26th November, 2020 Page 1 Ret.PC. Duncan GERRISH Ret. PS 1232 Keith James LEWIS 24, Roches Row, 42, Travailen Avenue, Cobh, Cimla, County Cork NEATH Ireland SA11 3UR Died Late November, 2020 Died 3rd February, 2021 Ret.PC Alistair R. PARKER Ret.Ch.Insp. Leslie Ronald HAVARD 6, Highfield Close, 86, Mildred Street, Risca, Tynant, BEDDAU NEWPORT PONTYPRIDD NP11 6EZ CF38 2AP Died 19th December, 2020 Died 13th January, 2021 Mrs. Monica CARROLL Mrs. Ann JONES (wife of Ret. Supt. Jeff Carroll) (wife of Ret.Ch.Insp. David JONES) 1, Hawthorn Avenue, 15, Grovers Field, NEATH Abercynon RCT SA11 3NW CF45 4PP Died 12th January, 2021 Died 23rd December, 2020 Ret. DC Gregory John PAYNE Ret.Ch.Supt. Trevor John MORRIS 28, Taff Close, 71, Sunnyside Road, BARRY, South Glamorgan BRIDGEND CF62 7QU CF31 4AF Died 13th January, 2021 Died 17th January, 2021 Ret. DC Philip Malcolm WALES Mr. Jack HAMER 2, Fairland Close, 16. Otterbourne Mews Llantrisant, Otterbourne Hill, PONTYCLUN WINCHESTER CF72 8QH SO21 2HJ Died 24th January, 2021 Died 5th September, 2020 3. DECEASED MEMBERS Above are listed members whose death was brought to our attention at that time, however at this time of year I also have to report that the following members have not appeared on the pension list as of December last: Mr. D. R. CONNICK of Rhydfro, PONTARDAWE; Mr. W. L. MORGAN of CARDIFF (who died on 12/4/20); Mr. Jonathan ROBERTS of Maesteg (who died 27th November, 2020); Mr. V. C. EVANS of Merthyr Tydfil; Mrs. P. WILLIAMS of Caerphilly; Mrs. J. THOMAS of Baglan; Mrs. J. RICHARDS-EVANS of Swansea; Mrs. J. PRANKERD of Pontyclun; Mrs. E. PORTNELL of Swansea: Mrs. R. HUGHES of Ton Pentre (who had died 29/1/20); Mrs. June HARRIS of Pontardulais; Mrs. Adrien DAVIES of Llanelli; Mrs. Lita DAVIES of Baglan; Mrs. S. DRANE of Treharris; Mrs. Winifred P. FISHER of Pontyclun; Mrs. H. DAVIES of Coychurch; Mr. William Roy JONES of Litchard Bridgend who had died on 22/7/20; Mrs. J. STEPHANIE of Uttoxeter; Mr. G. I. DAVIES of Torquay. Page 2 4. DECEASED FROM OTHER BRANCHES AND NON-MEMBERS Ret. DC.1950 Ronald Stephen JOHN (Non-Member) Died 16th November, 2020 Ret.DS.2531 Tony THOMAS (Swansea Branch Member) Died 11th January 2021 Mrs. Maureen RATCLIFF (Cardiff Widow Member) Died 1st January, 2021 Ret.PC. 2021 Derick MICHAEL (Swansea Branch Member) Died 14th January 2021 Ret.DC. Ray BRYANT (Cardiff Member) Died 15th January, 2021 Ret.Ch.Insp. Reginald BRIGGS (Non Member) Died 23th October, 2020 Arthur HUGHES (Groundsman at Police HQ) Died 22nd October, 2020 Jim HAYES (Civilian Employee HQ – WCRO+Ops. Room) Died 23rd October, 2020 Ret.PC.575C Mike HUISH (Cardiff Member) Died 6th February, 2021 5. ANNUAL PENSION RISE As we all know, the annual pension rise is linked to the inflation figures in September of each year and if the inflation figure for that month is a certain percentage, then that is the percentage rise we get in the following April. Last year’s September inflation rate was 0.5%. The good news is that the NARPO Subscription is also linked to that figure so there will be no great jump in subscriptions this year, just a little adjustment to: £21.60, which means a 12p rise in the subscription rate for this year. This will have be taken from your or February pay in the usual manner. 6. BRANCH PRESIDENT Not to be outdone by recent events across the pond, I can announce that we in the Glamorgan Branch of NARPO also have a new president. Unlike the former US President our former Branch President Mat JUKES moved on to pastures new willingly and without disputing anything, we wish him well in his new post in the Mets. It has long been a tradition of this Branch to invite the current Chief Constable to be our President, so the present incumbent of that role, Mr. Jeremy VAUGHAN was invited to take-up the position and has agreed to do so in an honorary capacity. 7. BRANCH UPDATE The current pandemic has certainly changed things for everyone, not just in this country, but throughout the world and as imperfect and inconvenient as things are at the moment we as police pensioners are in a very privileged position. Whilst other sections of the community have worries with regard to their future work prospects we have a regular source of income in the form of a police pension to maintain our lifestyles. Although it has not been possible to deliver to our members some of the usual benefits that membership of the Branch generate, we have been able in most cases to assist those members who need support at crucial times in their lives, when such matters are brought to our attention. Page 3 It has been noted that at a time when funeral attendances are being restricted to only a small number of family members that it is often the case that we are not being informed of the demise of some of our members, so I would urge anyone with such knowledge to let me/us know in the Branch to enable us the opportunity to offer support to family members at such a crucial time. Unfortunately, with the majority of people working from home at this time and at various times in the last 10 months it has been difficult to obtain information to pass on to members. Logistics have also been stretched, as an example, the last Newsletter was sent to the distributors and a process which has taken as little as 4 days in normal times took just shy of 3 weeks. Things do seem to be slowly improving and we are mostly adjusting to the situation, perhaps 30 odd years in the police prepared us in some small way for this situation and how to get through it. Unfortunately not everyone of us has, or possibly will come out the other end of this smiling, perhaps indicated by the list of members preceding this, whose numbers certainly exceed those usually printed at this time of the year. Our thoughts are with the families of those so affected. 8. MOVED HOUSE LATELY? When I say lately, the question is did you inform Capita (our current pension provider) with your new address when you did move home? We have had a couple of instances lately where enquiries have come from Police HQ asking if we are aware of the current address of pensioners, who have moved and as they (HQ) assume that the pension information with Capita is correct have tried to contact them without success. They do say that one of the most stressful things in life – especially as we get older – is moving house. One of the things that people who do move forget is that they must inform the pension administrator (currently Capita) of that change of address, it is easily missed especially as the pension keeps landing in the bank account on the first of each month, and it may not even be a consideration, until things do go wrong. With the change-over of pension administrators on the horizon it is important that they have the correct details for all pensioners to ensure that the correct details are passed on to the new administrators. Somebody, either Capita or the new guys are going to have to send out a letter explaining any new arrangements. That is without mentioning the annual receipt of your P60 and any other communication from the tax office. If in doubt please phone or send an E-mail to Capita quoting your Pension Number and giving your new and old address, a telephone number would also be advisable. If you are receiving a pay-slip delivered by the post person (notice the gender neutral use of the term – I’m getting there), and it is not being forwarded from your old address, then I think you can assume that they will have your correct details.