Social Afternoon Sunday, 12th June, 2011 at H.Q. Aykley Heads, Durham
Last year, thanks to the combined efforts of Durham Constabulary Executive and their Staff working in close co-operation with the Durham NARPO Officers, Alan Watson, Barry & Angie Crawford and Colin Appleby, all pensioners were invited to attend the first, spectacular combined social function where ALL police and Support Staff retirees were able to come together for a great social occasion (Read about it in our archives).
On Sunday, 12th June, 2011, the same winning team, working once again very closely with H.Q. Strategic Manager, Amanda Dodds and Amanda Wilson, prepared for a second and hopefully even more successful social afternoon.
A number of those who enjoyed the event last year, were absent, (mainly due to off peak holidays….). George Hedges was meanwhile not on holiday but doing a charity cycle ride from John O’ Groats to Lands End (ouch)!
The numbers were however once again swelled by many retirees who had learned of the previous success and decided to attend – all very welcome I assure you.
All we need now is for ALL retirees to get the message!
Thanks to the determined and enthusiastic cooperation of the Executive, ably led by Chief Constable Jon Stoddart -
despite the severe financial constraints placed on the Force, (helped in no small way by the financial input by Durham Branch of NARPO), we were able to match our previous great day for pensioners. We should at this point acknowledge the many volunteers who selflessly extended their services to help make this a wonderful occasion – all too often such an immense volume of voluntary organisation is taken for granted
Durham Constabulary’s magnificent Band and equally prestigious Choir provided a great afternoon of music and song to over 250 attendees. The weather was a little more kind this time and NARPO, Durham Constabulary Archive, the Beamish Museum, Force HQ and The Blue Knights group all provided eye catching static displays.
A volunteer Force photographer captured parties as they came in and free photographs provided to fit into the very tastefully designed commemorative Programme of Event souvenir and a free draw for a beautifully iced and presented celebration cake made by Mrs. Swinburne.. A magnificent NARPO financed Raffle, organised by Tom Baxter and ‘the Crawford duo’ raised £305.00 which was generously donated to offset the costs of the “do”.
Traffic Department once again excelled themselves with an impressive display of the ‘state of the art’ Police cars and motor cycles (much to the delight of all those able enough to go downstairs and chat to the officers present. This year, three excellent Operational Presentation were made by D/Supt Neil Malkin (The Ricin Investigation); Murder Investigation by D/Supt Adrian Green and Organised Crime Groups by Inspector Dave Turner were well attended.
As you would expect from such a gathering, the constant chatter, back slapping and gleeful and genuinely pleasant reunions of retired colleagues (some even forfeiting their customary afternoon nap (only kidding folks…) gave an overall, magical atmosphere. To the organizers, it was a sense of great satisfaction to see so many people having such a great and enjoyable afternoon out. Naturally, the refreshments on this occasion were a little more modest (typically noted by one or two of the more “optimistic souls” who attended…). Watch this space for next year’s event. Be there!
If anybody has any photo’s from the event please can you send the images as jpg’s to durham.narpo@gmail.com and we will add them to this album