Durham Constabulary Historic Print

 In the late 1990’s, under the leadership of Chief Constable George Hedges, Durham Constabulary commissioned a Durham Police Historic Painting.

This superb painting has an instantly recognisable montage backdrop from around the force area, whilst in the foreground are police officers, vehicles and animals, all taken from force photographic records, resulting in a uniquely blended historical 'snapshot' of the force from inception to current day

Colour prints are individually signed by the artist and strictly limited to 999 in the edition and you may wish to contact us to see if a special number is available (i.e. your collar number).  Each print is a unique opportunity to own and hand down a special celebration of policing through the ages.

Blue Lamp Prints is a company run by husband and wife team, Sue and Mark Custerson; Mark, at the time of the production, was a serving Police Officer with Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Ownership:

A number of these unframed prints are still available at a cost of £41.00 and at least one retired officer, who was unaware of the print’s existence, has recently purchased a copy, which was allocated with the officer’s Police number.

The print would measure some 34.5” x 15” once framed and has the Force Crest printed centrally below the picture.

Anyone wishing to obtain a print can contact Sue and Mark via bluelamp@policeprints.co.uk or on 01487 773799.

Question:

When Mark and Mick were touring the County in preparation of the painting, they visited Darlington Police yard unannounced and photographed a number of Police vehicles.  They then travelled to Darlington Railway Station, where they were soon joined by uniformed officers in shirt sleeve order, one male and one female.  The reason for the impromptu meeting was to be questioned as to who they were and why they were taking photographs at the rear of the Police Station.

These two officers and their Peugeot Police Vehicle are depicted in the bottom right of the print.  

Do you know who these officers are?  

If so, we would really love to know.

Notification of the 2023 Annual General Meeting

Please note that our next Branch Meeting on Thursday 12th January 2023 will be our A.G.M.

The meeting will take place at 7.30pm at Spennymoor Masonic Hall, 2 Dundas Street, Spennymoor DL16 6AS.  We would like to see as many of you as possible, please come along and meet with retired colleagues and friends and support your NARPO Branch.

Deputy Chief Constable Ciaron Irvine, representatives from NARPO National Executive Committee and Durham Police Federation are due to attend.

The meeting is open to all, however, if it your intention to attend would you please confirm by contacting either the Secretary, Stuart Ingram (Durham@narpo.org) or Chairman, Ray Jones (Durham2@narpo.org).  This is to facilitate the provision of catering for the buffet.

Chairman’s Christmas Greetings

May I take this opportunity, as we near the end of yet another year, to wish our Branch Officers, Committee and our entire membership a Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year.

I know that sadly some of you have suffered recent bereavements and others are dealing with personal and family ill-health; please take some sympathy, empathy and caring thoughts from your Durham Branch Family.  Please let us know if either you or someone from our Policing Family are in need of assistance and we will try and help and guide you, either ourselves or through third-party organisations.

We are all being hit with the increasing cost of living, prices for food and energy only seem to be going in one direction.  Please look after yourselves and each other and make sure that you keep warm and fed, even if this means looking slightly at our lifestyle.

I am sure that those who have close families, children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren will seek pleasure seeing or speaking to them at this festive time of the year.

Whatever your faith or belief I reiterate to you, with no intention to offend anyone, please have a Very Merry Christmas.

With sincere best wishes

Ray Jones

Death of a retired Police Officer: DC 987 William Hodgson

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer: DC 987 William Hodgson of Stanley, who died in the University Hospital of North Durham on Tuesday 13th December 2022, aged 89 years.

William joined Durham County Constabulary on 31st May 1954.  After his initial training, he was posted to Durham City and from 1965 he served as a Scenes of Crime Officer with Stanley CID, up until his retirement on 31st August 1984.

William is survived by daughter Lyn, sons John and Mark and their respective spouses, Roger, Shirley and Jill.  Grandchildren Gemma, Andrew, Michael, Alistair, Rebecca and Ben, and great-grandchildren Penny, Arthur and Harry.

A funeral service will take place at 2.00pm Monday 9th January 2023 at Mountsett Crematorium, Ewehurst Road, Dipton, Stanley DH9 9JP.

Following the funeral friends are invited to join the family at the Hobson Hotel, Front Street, Hobson, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE16 6EE, a short distance from the crematorium.

Family flowers only.

Our thoughts are with William’s family and friends at this sad time.

Death of Police Widow: Joyce Neal (widow of retired Superintendent Colin Neal)

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Police Widow, Joyce Neal, who passed away in Sandringham Care Home, Bishop Auckland, on 11th December 2022, aged 93 years.

Joyce was the widow of retired Superintendent Colin Neal, who died in June 2003, aged 71 years.

Joyce is survived by sons Kelvin and Richard, and daughter Kathryn, their respective partners, Beverly, Kathryn and Derek, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren

A funeral service will take place at 1.45pm on Tuesday 3rd January 2023, at Shildon Methodist Church, 3 Main Street, Shildon DL4 1AJ

Family flowers only, donations in lieu to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Our thoughts are with Joyce’s family and friends at this very sad time.

Death of a Retired Police Officer: Superintendent 392 Keith Tweddle

It is with deep regret that we have to inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer: Superintendent 392 Keith Tweddle, who died in the University Hospital of North Durham, Durham City on Tuesday 6th December 2022, aged 84 years.

Keith joined Durham County Constabulary on 30th November 1959 and following initial training was posted, in uniform, to Hartlepool, Bishop Auckland and St Helen Auckland.  After transferring to CID, he worked at Jarrow, Barnard Castle and then Darlington as Detective Sergeant.  He also returned to Barnard Castle where he served as Uniformed Inspector.

Between 1977-79, Keith was Personal Assistant to the Chief Constable.  He then took the post of Durham Divisional Commander before postings at Aykley Heads in CID Operations and Personnel Department.

He then served a term as Sedgefield Sub-Divisional Commander.  This was followed by a return to Police HQ within Community Relations.  His final posting, between 1990-93 was as Deputy Divisional Commander of Uniform Operations Department, retiring on 31st October 1993.

During his Police career, Keith was Chair of the Durham Male Voice Choir for 7 years and between 1987-1993 he organised the Durham Police Pro Am Golf competition.

After retiring from the force, Keith undertook voluntary work with St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham.  He was also actively involved, for many years, with Haswell and District Mencap as their Charity President.

Keith is survived by wife Pamela, sons Kevin and David (Retired Inspector), daughter-in-law Gillian and 5 grandchildren.

 funeral service will take place at 10.30am on Friday 23rd December 2022 at St Paul’s Church, Church Street, Haswell, Durham, DH6 2DT

Followed by Committal at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ

Family flowers only, any donations in lieu to Haswell and District Mencap.

Following the funeral, friends are invited to meet at The Lisa Dixon Centre, Burt Close, Haswell, Durham DH6 2DA

Our thoughts are with Pamela, Kevin and David, their family and friends at this sad time.

Durham Constabulary Joint Band & Choir Xmas Concert

The Durham Constabulary Band & Choir will be holding a joint 'Festive Celebration Concert' at 7pm on Thursday 15th December at Spennymoor Town Hall. 

Admission is £6 for adults ( £2 Student's)

Tickets are available on the door or can be obtained from Spennymoor Town Hall reception, any band or choir member or via www.ticketsource.co.uk/durham constabulary band and choir
 

Amendment To Circulation Re Death of PC 1114 Arthur Pringle

Please note that the recent circulation re Arthur Pringle showed an incorrect funeral date: Friday the 8th December.   Many thanks to members who informed us that the date circulated was incorrect.

The funeral service will take place at 10.00am Thursday 8th December 2022 at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ.  Following the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at Brandon Cricket Club.

Death of a Retired Police Officer: PC 1114 Arthur Pringle

 It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer: PC 1114 Arthur Pringle of Brandon, who died in North Tees Hospital, Stockton-on-Tees, on Tuesday 22nd November 2022, aged 80 years.Arthur joined Durham County Constabulary on 1st April 1962 and after initial training he began his police career at Stockton.  Later that year he was posted to Hebburn and then to Detached Beat at Whitburn.  Arthur then transferred to HQ Traffic Patrols (Motorcycle Section), followed by duties covering the Meadowfield Panda from Durham City.  A year in the City Office preceded Divisional Car Duties, finishing his service manning the County Prison Van, retiring on 5th January 1985.

During his police career Arthur was part of life saving swimming team.  He was also a member of the force fishing team, winning the Sea angling championship in 1979 and was a member of the team that hosted the Qatari Princes’ annual fishing event.

Arthur is survived by Margaret, his wife of 60 years, daughters Alyson, Diane, Debra and Vicky and reunited with youngest daughter, Lisa who died in October 2021; their respective husbands and partners, Graham, Mark, Richard, David and Daniel, 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

A funeral service will take place at 10.00am Thursday 8th December 2022 at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ.  Following the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at Brandon Cricket Club.

Family flowers only, donations in lieu to the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust.

Our thoughts are with Margaret, family and their friends at this sad time.