The Elvet Project

The congregation and friends at Elvet Methodist Church, Durham believe that an important part of their mission is to support charities help people all over the world. In the last few years Elvet has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes in Africa, Cambodia, South America and India as well as more local charities in Northumberland and Co. Durham.

The  current project (between September 2015 and August 2016) is the Grace Haven Orphanage in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and retired officers Sue and Paul Harrison have coordinated a busy programme of events to raise money for this worthy cause, run by Ex-Inspector Fred Farley and his wife, the Reverend Ma Lay.

The Orphanage was built in 1998 to help the poor and disadvantaged by providing shelter, education and a home to children who have lost one or both parent(s) through malaria, tuberculosis or deprivation of medical help. They have jointly established a mission that has now swollen to helping over 200 deprived children who receive help in the way of accommodation, availability of education and hope for the future. Grace Haven has grown from housing 15 children and now supports 75 who are aged 3-20 and who live there and attend the government-run school. Fred and Ma Lay have also funded and constructed 2 ‘Light of Education Centres’ where a further 125 children live. They receive after-school tuition and further education where appropriate and whenever financial help is available. The children pray frequently and take part in services. They enjoy artwork, singing hymns, and popular songs.

Grace Haven has a food-producing programme where rice and vegetables are grown and harvested, and they breed pigs (to sell) which brings in revenue, but life is hard and the Monsoon season can be devastating.

Events such as a Treasure Hunt, Murder Mystery dinner, Art Exhibition, Concerts, Fayres and the sale of related merchandise have provided frequent opportunities for socialising and have been very successful in raising funds. Coupled with the generosity of members, friends, family and visitors, the magnificent sum of £13,000 was raised within 13 weeks!

Shortly after Christmas 2015 the Project committee were able to forward most of this initial amount to Grace Haven as an urgent, interim payment and soon saw the delivery of a brand new KIA Vehicle to the Orphanage.  On Sunday, 14^th February 2016 Ma Lay and Fred Farley dedicated it to the orphanage in prayer at their morning service.  They have named the vehicle ‘Elvet’.

Fred has taken some photographs to show the congregation and friends just how delighted they all are. These can  be found on Elvet’s Website and Facebook page.

Now, the children of the Orphanage can prepare each day to go to school without the worry of having to walk the four mile return journey and have peace of mind, especially at this time in their lives as they struggle to meet the recent demands made upon them to either pass their monthly and annual exams or remain static in their year.

Fundraising continues until 31/8/16 as the Orphanage still needs financial assistance to fund their food and medical expenses and to employ English-speaking teachers. Details of forthcoming events can be found on Elvet’s website (see ‘Project’ and ‘Events’) and also Facebook page. Pens and Original Burmese Art can still be purchased at reasonable prices.

Tuesday 12^th April  Millennium Banquet A delicious Indian meal at the Millennium Restaurant, Framwellgate Moor.

Saturday 16^th April    10am – 2pm Table Top & Bric-a-Brac Sale at Elvet.

Donate unwanted gifts to the Grace Haven Tables (100% profit goes to the charity) or hire your own table to sell your wares, homemade crafts or recycle unwanted gifts. Come and buy some bargains. Refreshments available. Ring 07522444788 to book a table; £10.00

Saturday 14^th May - Games Night. ‘Call my Bluff’ meets ‘Would l Lie to you?’ Be in a team (of 3) or just come to watch; a fun night in the hall - with nibbles.  £5.00 Per person

18^th June - Open Church and gardens –  A  Treasure Trail and refreshments.

Follow the clues in a fun, indoor (and weather permitting outdoor) trail and discover things in and around the church you didn’t know and which will help to solve the puzzle. Fun for all the family.

More events in summer include a Sponsored Walk (4^th June )and a Sponsored Cycle (proposed for early August).   All are welcome to join us - or to help support someone who is able to undertake these events.

Anyone wishing to support Grace Haven can contact Sue Harrison on 07522444788.

Death a retired Police Officer : DC 739 Stephen Wintrell

It is with regret that we have to inform you of the death a retired Police Officer (And serving member of Police staff) :  DC 739  Stephen Wintrell, who died on 26^th March 2016 aged 58 years.
Steve initially joined Durham Constabulary on 28^th August 1973 as a Cadet then went on to serve as a police officer from 8^th March 1976.  From HQ Training he served at Sedgefield working in uniform on operational duties and in 1980 he spent 4 months working with Special Branch.  He returned to Sedgefield and worked both in uniform and temporarily in CID before transferring to Special Branch in November 1983.  From April 1984 he spent 5 years working in CID at Spennymoor moving on to Sedgefield/Aycliffe CID.  In 1990 he returned to uniform duties and in 1992 joined ASU.  He remained in that role until April 1997 when he moved into Telephone Investigations on Crime Desk then from January 1999 he took on the role of Field Intelligence Officer at Aycliffe and Spennymoor until his retirement on 11^th October 2009.  On 12^th October 2009 Steve was appointed as an Information Officer and he has continued to work in this role in Intelligence.
Steve leaves a widow Val, son Karl and daughter Debbie and their families, and also a brother Paul.

The funeral service will take place on Tuesday 5^th April 2016 at 10.15am at Wear Valley Crematorium, Coundon. Friends are asked to meet at the Crematorium please.
The family have requested that there is no guard of honour formed but are very happy for colleagues and friends to attend the service and they extend an open invitation to all who wish to join them afterwards for refreshments at Woodham Golf Club.
There will be family flowers only by request however donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Cancer Research if so desired and there will be a collection plate available at the Crematorium.
 
A book of remembrance will be taken to the Golf Club and all are invited to record any messages they wish to leave for the family in the book. 
For those who are unable to attend the Golf Club if you can send any messages you would wish to have included to the WELFARE email address ( welfare.office@durham.pnn.police.uk) then they will ensure all messages are incorporated. 
Ideally they would like to have all messages by no later than Thursday 7^th April so that these can be passed over to the Wintrell family promptly.
Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

New chairman of Durham NARPO

There was a good turnout at the recent AGM of Durham NARPO, where members listened to talks by Chief constable Mike Barton, Assistant Chief Officer Gary Ridley & Durham Police & Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg before getting down to the evenings business, which involved the Chairman Alan Watson stepping down after almost twenty years service as Branch Chairman. Alan will remain on the committee & of course continue as editor of The Durham Peeler magazine.

Ray Jones who has been the Vice Chairman of the branch was elected as Chairman.

Photo shows Alan congratulating Ray on his election to Chairman.

Barry Crawford took the vacant position of Vice Chairman, Derek Sayers as treasurer & Stuart Ingram as Branch Secretary

HOLMES Reader/Receiver role in the South West

I am currently recruiting for a HOLMES Reader/Receiver role in the South West and am seeking expressions of interest from people with this skill-set. I am trying to expand the way in which I can directly appeal to a number of people with this specialist skill-set. It is very niche and very in demand at the moment so I was wondering if you would be able to assist in any way by disseminating the role to your members?
Please find details for the role below - I would be more than happy to discuss anything in more detail with you should you wish to contact me.
Your assistance in this matter is very much appreciated and I look forward to possibly hearing from you soon.
Thank you.
 
Police Skills is currently recruiting for experienced HOLMES 2 trained Reader/Receivers to work within the MIR of a high-profile inquiry based in the South West of England. This is a long-term, temporary contract paying up to £24.69 p/h LTD and £18.82 p/h PAYE. For more details please send your CV to emma.palmer@redsnappergroup.co.uk or call on 0203 119 3343 if you would like to discuss this opportunity.
 
Kind Regards,
Emma Palmer
Recruitment Officer
Tel: 0203 119 3343

Widows Pension For Life

Following recent changes to the Regulations concerning survivors’ pensions, and how they are dealt with should the survivor remarry, co-habit or form a civil partnership, it has become clear that there are three different approaches in operation within the United Kingdom.

The Justice Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive, David Ford, announced on 21st March 2014 that all survivors of members of the RUC pension scheme should retain their pensions for life irrespective of the circumstances of the death of the former officer. As a result all survivors are entitled to have their pensions reinstated effective
from 1st July 2014.

On the 18th January this year the 2006 Police [Injury Benefit] Regulations were amended [see Circular 39/15].

This change means that survivors’ pensions paid in respect of 1987 Police Pension scheme members will no longer have to forfeit their pension where the police officer dies on duty or dies as a result of an injury received on duty.

In England and Wales this change only applies to widows, widowers or surviving civil partners, who marry, remarry, form a civil partnership or start to cohabit on or after 1st April 2015. This change came into force retrospectively from 1st April 2015.

In Scotland however the change applies to all those wives, husbands, or civil partners of police officers who died on duty who have already had their pension withdrawn because of remarriage, forming a civil partnership or cohabitation and, consequently they will have their pension reinstated with effect from 1st October 2015 irrespective of when the remarriage, cohabitation or civil partnership occurred.

In view of the changes made we would encourage all our members to write to their MP to highlight the injustice in an effort to bring pressure on Government to adopt a standard approach across the UK in respect of this matter.
Please click on this link to get the template letter

Durham NARPO Annual General Meeting : Monday 21st March

 

Date for your Diary…….

Monday 21^st March at 1930hrs

The Annual General Meeting of Durham NARPO, with guest speakers from Force Executive and Federation.

This year see’s our current Chairman Alan S Watson stepping down from the role (although he will remain active as the editor of The Durham Peeler magazine)

At this moment Vice Chairman Ray Jones & Treasurer Colin Appleby have been nominated for the Chairmans post.

Nominations are therefore requested for the role of Treasurer.

All members welcome to attend and participate
Ideal time to meet your old colleagues and friends.
Please put the date in your diary and see if you can attend, meet / vote for who you want on the committee and see the hard work they are doing throughout the year on your behalf

There is a bar at the premises & light refreshments are provided
The meeting will be held at the Durham Indoor Bowling Centre, Pity Me, Durham, DH1 5GE, (starts at 1930hrs)

 

View Durham Indoor Bowling Club in a larger map

Death of a retired Police Officer : Inspector Percy Colter

It is with regret that we have to announce the death of a retired Police Officer :  Inspector Percy Colter, who died peacefully on the 8^th March, 2016 aged 98 years.
He started with Durham Constabulary on the 1^st May, 1939 and retired on the 30^th April, 1969.
Whilst working for Durham Mr Colter was a keen member of the male voice choir.
Mr Colter was father to Sheila & Pat, father in law to John, grandad and great grandad.
The cremation will take place on Friday 18^th March, 2016 at 2.30pm at Durham Crematorium.  This service is not private.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

Death of a retired Police Officer : Inspector Alan GRAHAM

It is with regret that we have to announce the death of a retired Police Officer : Inspector Alan GRAHAM who died on Saturday 27^th February 2016, aged 95 years.
Alan served with the Royal Marines from 23^rd April 1941 - 10^th November 1945.
On 10^th August 1946 he joined Durham Constabulary and from initial training he moved on to serve at Stockton, Chester-le-Street, Pelton Fell, Blaydon, Low Greenside, Traffic, Crime Patrols, Motor Patrols, Chester-le Street and Chester Moor. On 29^th January 1965 he transferred to Leeds City Police as Deputy Training Officer (Inspector). Alan returned to Durham on 9^th June 1969 based at Consett then Stanley from where he retired on pension on 31^st August 1976 with the rank of Inspector.
Alan’s next of kin is his son, Garry.
Funeral service is to be held at 12.30 on Monday 14^th March 2016 at Holy Trinity Church, Pelton. The funeral will not be private and friends and former colleagues are asked to meet at church please.

Death of a retired Police Officer : Sgt 63 John Reginald Stout

It is with deepest regret that we have to advise you of the death of a retired Police Officer : Sgt 63 John Reginald Stout, who died on Friday 26^th February 2016, aged 83 years.
Reg joined Durham Constabulary on 10^th September 1949 as a Cadet Clerk and served until 22^nd November 1950.
He returned to the Constabulary on 20^th December 1952 when he was appointed as PC 1103 and went on to serve at Stockton, Fencehouses, Houghton, traffic/motor patrols and Control Room. He returned to Traffic Patrols in July 1967 where he was promoted to Sgt in 1968. He remained in various traffic/motor patrol roles until 1975 when he joined motor school as an instructor and he remained in this role until he retired on pension on 31st May 1981.
Reg has also been a member of the Durham Constabulary Choir since he was a cadet.
He is survived by his wife Margaret.
Funeral service is to be held at 12:45 on Tuesday 8^th March 2016 at Mary Magdalene Church, Belmont.  The service is not private and friends and former colleagues are asked to please meet at church.  There are to be family flowers only however donations if so desired can be made to the British Heart Foundation.
Our thoughts are with the Margaret, their family and friends at this sad time.

Police Life – Feb 2016

Please click on the image to download / read the latest edition (February 2016) of Police Life

Police Dependants' Trust Survey

Around 11,000 serving officers have shared their views on the support available following a physical or psychological injury on duty. Now they would like to hear from anyone who has retired/resigned from a force in England and Wales within the last five years.
This research, which is being conducted by the Department of Sociology at the University of Surrey, will highlight ways in which they (and others) can do more to support officers and their families. In respect of former officers, they are particularly keen to learn more about how easy or otherwise it is to make the transition into life after 'the job'. Given the pace of change in policing, by limiting this part of our study to those who have left more recently they can make sure they are considering the impact of current practices and whether they have a role to play.
They would be delighted if you would complete the survey which remains open until 6 March. If it's not appropriate to you, please do forward it to friends and any former colleagues you're still in touch with.  

Complete the former officers survey now

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC 620 Thomas Stephenson

It is with regret that we have to announce the death of a retired Police Officer : PC 620 Thomas Stephenson, who died on the 22^nd February 2016. He was aged 89 years.
He leaves a son David.
The funeral will be taking place on 3^rd March 2016 at 2pm which will be held at Durham Crematorium, the funeral service is private.
Donations can be sent in lieu of flowers to Cancer Research.
Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time