The Staffordshire Knot

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1 The Staffordshire Knot Staffordshire Branch of N.A.R.P.O. Keeping the ties with former colleagues. National Association of Retired Police Officers. Staffordshire Branch No Chairman: Mr. Mark Judson 19 Larchwood, Wildwood, Stafford. ST17 4SQ Tel Hon. Sec.: Mr. Des Lockwood 97 Pirehill Lane, Walton, Stone, Staffs. ST15 0AS Tel Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Reay Pearman 2 Spode Grove, Clayton, Newcastle, Staffs. ST5 4HE Tel bruce.pearman@btinternet.com Staffs Knot Editor: Gerry Robinson. Tel drakeford24@btinternet.com 'Serving those who have served' JULY 2015 Summer Edition This is the 48th Edition of YOUR very own NEWSLETTER - JULY 2015 We keep the print of this Newsletter as large as possible to assist our members with failing sight. WELCOME TO ALL OUR NEW MEMBERS Thank you for joining us and please take advantage of all the facilities we have on offer for your present and future welfare. Name Sub Branch Name Sub Branch Richard GURGUL Northern John E LINES (Associate) Burton Steven ASH Cleveland Stephen John SMYTHEMAN Lichfield Karen ASPDEN Northern Allyn BLEWITT Northern Diane Jacqueline HULLAH Northern Neil Kenneth RUSSELL Northern Sharon Elizabeth STEELE Burton Christopher ELLERTON Stafford Nigel Anthony FRIEDRICHS-BRAUN Devon Ronald John WRIGHT Burton Ian CANTRILL Stafford Gavin JONES Stafford Hilary Ann MASKERY Stafford Eric Stephen PASSEY Burton Stephen John KENNY Cornwall Denise GREY Northern Claire Ellen JERVIS Leek Roger Ernest PARRY-SARGENT Stafford Andrew Graham WHITEHALL MBE Stafford John MATTHEWS Stafford Angela BROADHURST Leek Can we wish you all a long and healthy retirement? Remember you can t buy time enjoy life and take as many holidays and join in as many activities as you can afford!

2 -2- Members Called to Higher Service. Obituary 2015 Your Branch Committee record with regret the deaths of the following members. Our sympathy is extended to all the bereaved families. Title. Name. Sub Branch / D of B. Died. Area Ret d. Det/Ch/Supt. Robert David STEWART Lichfield Ret d Sgt. Eileen LEA Northern Ret d Pc Joseph Basil HAYNES Burton Ret d Pc Gordon John LOVE Northern Ret d Pc Donald John STANTON Leek Ret d Pc. Peter James HARVEY Hampshire Ret d Supt. Gordon Brain WOOD Stafford Ret d Pc. Henry (Harry) TREMBLE Northern Ret d Insp.(W Mids) Roy William MANDER West Bromwich Ret d Supt. Alfred Cyril MORRIS Burton Widows and Wives called to Higher Service. Obituary Your Branch Committee record with regret the deaths of the following widows and wives. Our sympathy is extended to all the bereaved families. Mrs Yvonne JEFFRIES. CBE DL Leek Mrs. Dorothy Jean Mary HARRIS Stafford Mrs. (Wife) Joy ASBURY Tamworth Mrs Dorothy M FRANCIS Northern Mrs Beryl GODFREY Australia Mrs (Wife) Millicent ATKIN Stafford Mrs Christina M E FOWLIE Burton Mrs Doreen EDGE Northern Mrs Muriel HICKEN Tamworth Mrs (Wife) Sandra Rosemary GILBEY Burton Chairman s Corner. Summer has officially started, so let s hope for some good weather over the next few months we could certainly do with it after a very cold and windy May. The election came and went and much to everyone s surprise, including the political pundits the Conservatives won an outright majority. During the election campaign all of the political parties remained completely silent on the issue of policing. So I expect more of the same medicine in terms of further austerity cuts for the Police from the new Government. Nationally NARPO continues to thrive with membership increasing on a yearly basis. The funds are also in a healthy state. The National NARPO Conference is due to take place in early September in Southport. The main topics and motions to Conference surround the proposed changes to the Rules of NARPO and the provision of rehabilitation of our members, whether that be at the two current Police Treatment Centres or something different. The contentious issues around the rule changes concern changes to membership categories and dealing with misconduct matters. Cont d.

3 -3- The debate around this subject should prove to be an interesting one. Locally Des and myself continue to be active both at Branch and Sub- Branch level, visiting the majority of Sub-Branch meetings and offering advice and support to our members. We are pleased to announce that Jane Sawyers the newly appointed Chief Constable has agreed to continue to be the President of Staffordshire NARPO. I sent her a communication congratulating her on her appointment and thanking her for her support over recent months. On 12/6/2015 we had one of our regular meetings with the PCC Matthew Ellis, matters we discussed were as follows:- 1. Appointment of the new Chief Constable Jane Sawyers. 2. The current situation with the sale of the land at the old Police H.Q site at Cannock Road Stafford. (No sale as yet, still awaiting planning approval for house building.) 3. Re-introduction of the SPACE Scheme. PCC stated that the Police involvement would be greatly reduced from the previous scheme with PCSO s taking the lead role in conjunction with other agencies. 4. Recently the PCC has gone public over his view that the Police and Fire Brigade in Staffordshire should aim to share extensive services with a view to saving large amounts of money. This approach seems to be a view being promoted by National Government. However at this moment in time the PCC is experiencing negative vibes from the Chairman of the Fire Authority, Len Bloomer. We shall have to see how this develops. 5. Recent reports in the press have indicted that there has been an increase in Crime of 9%. However the PCC qualified this by stating that this was a particular area of crime namely sexual abuse / vulnerable persons, with people becoming more likely to report such crimes some of which are historical. 6. We queried the PCC as to whether his area of business was now costing more than the previous Police Authority did. He acknowledge that the costs of his department had increased over that of the Old Police Authority. He again qualified this fact y stating that his responsibilities were far greater than the previous administration and therefore there had been a requirement to bring in personnel with the necessary expertise. Under the Hutton Report on administration of Public Sector Pension Schemes, as with all similar scheme s Staffordshire Police have had to set up an internal Pension Board which will be overseen by the Chief Constable. NARPO as an interested party have been invited to sit on this Board. Provisionally I took up this position in April subject to ratification by the Branch Meeting on 20/6/2015. I am pleased to say that the Branch confirmed my appointment at this meeting. It is a responsible position to hold and I have already undertaken a reasonable amount of training which will be ongoing. It does give NARPO a voice in how Staffordshire Police administers the pensions of our members. Already I have had the opportunity to raise an issue with the Board about the outsourcing of pension administration to a company called Mouchel. All Staffordshire NARPO Members will have received recently a letter from Staffordshire Police outlining the changes. A few of our members have raised issues concerning the transfer of personal data to this company. I am attempting to resolve this matter with the Board and Staffordshire Police. From the archive:- The Hixon Rail Disaster. In the 1950 s British Railways were manning approximately 2400 level crossings the cost of which was becoming prohibitive. A feasibility study was undertaken over the next few years to look into alternatives to manned level crossings. This resulted in the development of the half- barrier automatic level crossing. By January 1968 there were 207 automatic crossings in Britain including the one at Hixon, which had been converted to automatic half- barrier operation in July On 6 th January 1968, a 120-ton electrical transformer was to be moved from the English Electric works at Stafford to a storage depot on a disused airfield at Hixon. The airfield was on Station Road, adjacent to the Manchester branch of the West Coast Main Line approximately 3 miles north of Colwich Junction. Cont d

4 -4- To carry out this move a huge transporter vehicle 148 feet long and with a 32 wheeled trailer, was chartered. It had a gross weight of 162 tons, was impelled by a tractor unit at each end, and had a crew of five. The English Electric Company had passed over the automatic crossing in the preceding months without incident. The Transporter and its Police Escort left Stafford at approximately 09:30 hours on the morning of Saturday 6 th January. Although Hixon was only 6 miles from Stafford, the nature of the load meant that it needed to travel south out of the town and then along a somewhat laborious route north via the M6 Motorway, the A34 to Stone and finally the A51 to Hixon. The journey had Ministry of Transport approval. At around 12:20 hours the transporter turned off the A51 into Station Road and slowed to walking pace as it approached the crossing. It stopped for a moment while the Police car went over the crossing to check where the entrance to the airfield was. The entrance was located and the crew of the unit were informed of this fact. The trailer needed to be raised by the crew to negotiate the track, but in addition, it needed to be low enough to clear the overhead power lines. While this was taking place the transporter slowed to around 2 mph. At this speed, it would take approximately one minute to traverse the crossing. At 12:26 hours the leading tractor had traversed the two railway tracks and the main bulk of the transporter was astride them when the 11:30 hours express train from Manchester to Euston activated the crossing sequence by operating a treadle 1,000 yards away. The warning lights began to flash and the bells began to ring. With the barriers descending onto the forward part of the transformer. Owing to the warning signals the driver was able to marginally move the unit forward,so that the train only collided with the rear seven or eight feet of the transformer at an approximate speed of 75mph. The train sheared through the trailer and threw the transformer forward and to the left of the line. The train which was an electric locomotive pulling 12 coaches, the first five of which were demolished and the following three coaches were derailed. Both railway lines were destroyed for a length of 120 yards and the overhead power lines were brought down. Eleven people [eight passengers and three railway men] were killed, with 45 being injured, six of them seriously. It is actually surprising that due to the impact there were not more fatalities and casualties. As a result of this disaster a Judicial Enquiry was commissioned with the findings eventually being presented to Parliament. All parties involved in the disaster faced criticism as a result of the enquiry s findings, Wynn s the haulage contractor, the Police, British Railways and the Ministry of Transport all mainly due to lack of training, knowledge and foresight as to what might potentially happen at such a hazard. The aftermath of this disaster resulted in 1969 improved warning signs being introduced, informing drivers of large or slow moving vehicles that they should telephone the signalman for permission to cross the line. The crossing equipment was also modified so that an amber light was exhibited before the red flashing lights operated. Today the level crossing at Hixon no longer exists having been replaced by a bridge in Part of the airfield is still in use as an industrial estate. Mark A Judson. [Chairman] Leslie Whittle Murder Enquiry Team Reunion 'More than 30 former officers and staff involved in the Lesley Whittle murder enquiry in 1975, and some of their partners, assembled at Kidsgrove on Friday 6th March, to mark 40 years to the day from Staffordshire Police taking control of the investigation, which eventually led to the conviction and sentence of Donald Neilson, aka The Black Panther. Cont d..

5 -5- Neilson received 5 life sentences and a further 61 years imprisonment for kidnapping and murdering 17 year old heiress Lesley, blackmailing her family, the murders of two sub-postmasters and the husband of a sub-postmistress and other violent, firearms related crimes throughout the Midlands, Yorkshire and Lancashire. He was given a whole-life tariff and died in prison in The investigation was led by our own Detective Chief Superintendent Harold Wright, assisted by the late Commander John Morrison from New Scotland Yard. It remains the most extensive in the history of Staffordshire Police and marked a watershed in the investigation of major crime in the UK and across the world, having led directly to the creation on the first computer system (HOLMES). Sadly Mr Wright, QPM, was unable to attend, having been hospitalised following a minor stroke a few days before the reunion. Retired Superintendent Stan Wood read Mr Wright's prepared speech. One of the arresting officers ex-pc Stuart Mackenzie from Nottinghamshire attended. Stuart lost his hearing as a result of Neilson discharging his sawn-off shotgun in a determined and brutal attempt to resist arrest. A message of support and appreciation was received from Lesley's brother Mr Ronald Whittle. Apologies were noted from a number of former officers and staff who were unable to attend due to ill health or other commitments. All attendees renewed acquaintances, reminisced and looked over various press cuttings and other memorabilia. Everyone enjoyed the evening and the shared pride to have been involved in this investigation - under the unstinting, inspirational leadership of Mr Harold Wright - and the removal from society of one of the most dangerous, violent criminals in our history.' Peter Wilshaw. Dates for your Diary Northern Sub Branch. Annual Dinner. Friday 4 th March 2016 at 7:00 pm at Trentham Golf Club. The menu and booking form will be circulated in The Staffs Knot later. Anyone interested may contact Chairman Keith Houlston or Secretary Dave Malam at that time. Sunday 12 th July :00 am 5:00 pm. You are invited to visit the inspirational ½ acre NGS Open Garden at Dorset House, 68 Station Street, Cheslyn Haye, Staffs, WS6 7EE, the home of NARPO members Mary & Dave Blundell. Admission 3pp, children free. Homemade teas available. See our NARPO website for a photograph. Burton Sub Branch. News Up-date. The Staffordshire Branch of NARPO began at Burton-on-Trent in 1983 and 2 years later Burton Sub Branch was formed consequently in October of this year the Burton Sub Branch will have been in existence serving retired members for 30 years. The Anniversary month is October therefore a special buffet will be provided at our Autumn meeting to be held at Marston s Social Club on the 14th October. The Sub Branch Christmas lunch to be held on the 16th December at Branston Golf & Country Club that attracts over 100 members will be the biggest and best to date and will be specially subsidised to mark the occasion. The growing numbers of members now attending Burton meetings, many with their partners (65 at the Feb AGM) indicates a pleasing resurgence of interest in NARPO at Burton-on-Trent particularly amongst younger members who realise that the Sub Branch meetings are more of a social event where they can meet again with colleagues they have worked with. New members have included those who have been retired for many years who otherwise would not be able to attend meetings. Many members with welfare problems have been visited at their homes or in hospital during the past 12 months thanks to valuable information passed to our Sub Branch Chairman and The successful coach trips (2 a year) started in 2013 will continue, the fifth trip will take place on the 21st October, details will be circulated when a choice of destination has been made.

6 Stafford Sub-Branch News Up-date. -6- Our most recent sub-branch meeting and social was held at Stone Golf club on 25 th June 2015, and the entertainment on the evening was a light hearted general knowledge quiz, followed by a buffet. You can read more about it, and also get regular sub-branch news updates, on our webpage on the Staffordshire NARPO website at Our next sub-branch outing is a coach trip to London on Monday 21 st September 2015, with a visit to, and tour of the Houses of Parliament. This promises to be a fascinating trip, and with the cost at just over 20 pp, there are only a few places left. If you re interested in going, or getting your name on the reserve list, contact our Treasurer, Brian Whitehouse on , or brianwhitehouse@narpo-staffs.co.uk. If you re on , and aren t receiving sub-branch news shots, then maybe we haven t got your current address. You can update your details on the Stafford sub-branch webpage, or our Secretary, Norma Kozam at normakozam@narpo-staffs.co.uk If you d like to know more about the ancient history of Stafford, then you may be interested in a trip we re looking to arrange later this year to the Borough Council Offices, for an illustrated talk and presentation. Contact Norma if you re interested in attending ( or normakozam@narpo-staffs.co.uk). Our next quarterly Lunch Club outing will be on Wednesday 7 th October 2015, at the Shirehorse, off the A34 at Redhill, Stafford. We meet at 12 noon for 12:30 pm meal. It s a great opportunity to meet up with colleagues, as well as making new friends. Phone or Gerry Robinson if you d like to go, so that he can reserve sufficient places for everyone ( or drakeford24@btinternet.com). Our next sub-branch meeting (AGM) and social will be on Thursday 22 nd October 2015 at the Constitutional Club, Lloyd Street, Stafford ST16 3AS, starting at 7:30 pm. We have 470 members in our sub-branch, but only 6 committee members. If the sub-branch is to remain vibrant and healthy we really need more members who are prepared to serve on the committee. We would very much like members from the Gnosall, Eccleshall, Stone, and The Haywood s areas, who have the interest and can commit the time, to consider joining us. Maybe you could help us? If you re not sure, perhaps you could join the committee informally for a while, to see whether it suit you. Feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this, or if you have any suggestions about sub-branch developments and activities. ( or mikekozam@narpo-staffs.co.uk) I hope that each of you have an enjoyable summer, and I look forward to seeing you at our events in September and later in the autumn. Mike Kozam (Chairman) 1 st July 2015 Stafford NARPO Widow Congratulations Doris Jeffries on reaching105 years of age. Chairman Mike Kozam, Vice Chairman Gerry Robinson and Treasurer Brian Whitehead visited Doris at Beechcroft House, Nursing Home, Rowley Park, Stafford, on Wednesday 1 st July, on her 105 th Birthday and presented her with a bouquet of flowers and bottle of Rose wine (her favourite tipple) on behalf of all NARPO members. Doris is the widow of Sergeant Bert Jeffries, formerly of Police Headquarters Administratiion staff, specifically specialising in Aliens and Firearms. Does anyone remembers those departments? View the photo on our website.

7 -7- Burton Sub Branch Christmas Lunch. Wednesday 16 th December 2015, at Branston Golf & Country Club, meet at 12:30 pm for 1:00 pm Lunch. Subsidised for our Special 30 th Anniversary. Booking forms will be available in the Autumn Newsletter. Make a note in your diary NOW. National Police Memorial Day. 11:30 a.m. Tuesday 29 th September The Beat, National Memorial Arboretum. Short memorial service. Since an Act of Parliament, in 1792, which created the first salaried Constables, almost 4,000 police officers have been killed whilst on duty, often in brutal circumstances, whilst others have died whilst performing their duties. The NPMD was founded by Sergeant Joe Holness of the Kent Police Service, following the brutal killing of Jon Odell, a fellow officer, in December He chose the 29th of September as its Remembrance Day, that being the date of Michaelmas Day, which celebrates Saint Michael the Archangel the designated Patron Saint of Police Officers. The magnitude of this day was indicated by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales becoming its Patron in To date the NPMD has been held in various cities throughout the UK, by its founder member, on the closest Sunday to its Remembrance Day. This year it will be in Edinburgh on the 27th September and all serving and retired officers are invited to attend. (see NPMD website for details) All members of Staffordshire NARPO who wish to commemorate this day are cordially invited to join members of Stafford Sub-Branch, whose committee have organised a Remembrance Service, in the Garden of Remembrance, at the National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Burton on Trent, DE13 7AR at 11:30 am on Tuesday 29th September Medals may be worn on this occasion but are not obligatory. It would greatly assist the staff at the Arboretum if you would indicate your intentions of attending by contacting either:- Chairman Mike Kozam@narpo-staffs.co.uk / normakozam@narpo-staffs.co.uk on or Secretary Brian Whitehouse on We hope you will join us and look forward to seeing you. Photograph required - Former Inspector Herbert Harold GREEN Herbert served at Wednesbury, Brierley Hill, Smethwick, Willenhall and Wednesfield. He played cricket from and also acted as umpire. He retired from Wednesfield in 1957 and died in Do you have a Photograph of him anywhere? David Baldwin, our Police Archivist, is trying to complete his profile. If you can help please call David on

8 -8- Branch & Sub Branch Contacts and Meeting Dates. BURTON. Ralph Seville Secretary, Lesley Bennett Meeting & Socials at 7:30 pm. Marston s Social Club. July 8 th Talk Blue Tits. 14 th October. 16 th December. Xmas Lunch. LICHFIELD Phil Goodwin Linda Hicken Chasetown Football Club. WS7 3QL: 15 th July: 16 th Sept. : 18 th Nov. TAMWORTH Glyn Thomas Dave Gardener At Coton & Hopwas Social Club. 7 th July. 1st Sept. 3 rd Nov. BRANCH CHAIRMAN Mark JUDSON CANNOCK Joe Edwards John Hartshorne Meeting & Socials at 7:30 pm. Cannock Ex Servicemen's Club. 7 th Nov. Social. NORTHERN Keith Houlston Dave Malam AGM - Thursday 1 st October. WOMBOURNE Roger Jones John Cooper At Wombourne Tennis, Bowls & Cricket Club. 6 th October. BRANCH VICE CHAIRMAN Gerry ROBINSON. MBE LEEK. Peter Simms Bob Scrimgeour Meeting & Socials at 7:30 pm. 7 th July. Cheadle Cricket Club. 3 rd November. Leek Golf Club. STAFFORD. Mike Kozam Norma Kozam The Constitutional Club, Lloyd Street, Stafford. Thursday 22 nd October, Stafford. Trip to House of Commons. Monday 21 st September. To book. See details on page... WEST BROMWICH. Ken Stevens Terry Barton At The Royal Naval Association Club, Bull Lane, West Bromwich. 7 th Sept. : 23 rd Nov. (Xmas Party) 7 th December (meeting.) BRANCH SECRETARY Desmond LOCKWOOD BRANCH TREASURER Reay PEARMAN WEBSITE MANAGER Joe MOLLOY ALL MEMBERS MAY ATTEND MEETINGS AT ANY OF OUR 9 SUB BRANCHES.

The Staffordshire Knot

The Staffordshire Knot Staffordshire Branch of N.A.R.P.O. Keeping the ties with former colleagues. National Association of Retired Police Officers. www.narpo.org.uk Staffordshire Branch No. 96. www.narpo-staffs.co.uk