Thanks to the enthusiastic co-operation of Chief Constable Jon Stoddart, his Executive Officers, Strategic Planning personnel and our Durham Executive Officers, we have over the last three years, fostered a unique, close and harmonious partnership between serving and retired officers and staff.
Our reunions are open to ALL members of Durham Constabulary i.e. police and police support staff both serving and retirees. This year, in view of two other important attractions such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games, we brought our event forward a month to Sunday, 20th May, 2012 (We didn’t want to be accused of weakening support numbers for those events…..!
The main entertainment and attractions included the musical spectacular by Durham Constabulary Band, an equally great recital by the Durham Police Choir, action demonstrations by the Dog Section, conducted tours of Control Room, the Regional Police Helicopter created quite a stir of interest, and businessman, Bill Tonks voluntarily brought his vintage MG TC 1946 ex Kent police sports car.
On arrival everyone had their photograph taken to be collected and mounted in an excellent modern programme of events. The main attraction to most of course was simply to meet friends and have a good old exchange of “war stories” – fortunately, everyone had a clear name tag presented to make it easier to “recall” (when you put your spectacles on) the names of familiar faces from the distant past – strange how others get older whilst you don’t seem to have aged a day…?
Delightfully informative displays were on hand from the Durham Constabulary Archives; The Blue Knights, N.A.R.P.O. Committee (who also ran an extra ordinarily successful raffle, raising £312.00 toward the running costs of the event); and a display of artist’s impressions of the proposed new Durham Constabulary H.Q. which hopefully will get the go ahead soon.
Chief Constable Jon Stoddart, A.C.C. Michael Banks, their families and ALL Chief Superintendents were in support of the estimated 180 happy people who had the good fortune to attend. Altogether, everyone had a wonderful afternoon and were appreciative of the hard work that went in to making of such a lovely day.
Extracts from Letters of appreciation :
Victor (ex P.C. 1667) Brown & Mary Brown. “What a grand time we had at the reunion on Sunday. The organisers made a splendid job of making sure there was never a dull moment, whilst allowing plenty of opportunity to catch up with old colleagues. I met folks who remembered me but were “total strangers” and folks I’d known, but denied we’d ever met! All good fun though.”
Barry & Elsie Wood: “Our thanks to all who arranged the re-union for retired officers last Sunday. Another smashing day where memories for names were tested and good to see some of the old faces again. We enjoyed it.”
Tommy Tipler & family: “It would be totally remiss of me if I didn’t record our appreciation of all the efforts of the NARPO Committee and H.Q.Staff who gave up their time to make the afternoon such a remarkable success. Well done. It was well worth the 180 mile round trip.”
(To view the pictures in the album at a larger size then click on an image)