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IPA News

Kiwis on an IPA Tour David Winnard, Blackpool & North Lancashire Branch

The Sea View Inn, at Whittle le Woods, near Chorley was the venue for Branch Vice Chairman David Winnard, and National Treasurer Bill Lloyd, to meet up for a meal with the Treasurer of Section New Zealand, Hamish Kerr, in October. Hamish was accompanied by his wife Trudy. They stayed with Hamish’s cousin in Chorley, who had arranged for him to attend the Manchester United -v- Brentford game the following day at Old Trafford, which had an exciting finish in extra time. Hamish and Trudy then planned to tour Devon and Cornwall, before visiting the New Zealand Embassy in London, to cast their vote in the New Zealand election. They were also planning to visit Germany, to meet up with some of their descendants. Their European visit concluded with attending the IPA World Congress in Greece – such is the benefit of IPA offering so many opportunities to meet up with other members around the world. 70th Anniversary in Northern Ireland Brian Kennedy, IPA Region 2, Northern Ireland The year 2023 marked the 70th Anniversary of the formation of IPA Region 2, Northern Ireland. To mark the occasion in September, the Region held a black-tie gala ball for 100 people at the magnificent Parliament Buildings, at Stormont. Guests of honour were UK President, Clive Wood and Section Ireland President, Conor Higgins, accompanied by their wives. Gifts were exchanged with Region 2 Chair, Deirdre Mahony. The evening was a tremendous success with a ballot raising £1,000 for The Thin Blue Line charity, represented on the evening by founder Gary Craig.

Help from friends Roddy MacKenzie, Glasgow, Lomond and Clyde Branch I recently visited the Netherlands and Germany, accompanied by my wife, Elizabeth, on a quest to find a location in Kranenburg, Germany, where Elizabeth’s father had been photographed for the New York Times newspaper during WW2. I asked for help in finding this location (just over the border) from Dutch IPA member , Jan Dommerholt. Elizabeth and I are so grateful to Jan for his help. He put us in touch with a Dutch friend, Roland Boeijen, who lives in Goch, Germany, not far from Kranenburg. Roland took us not only to Kranenburg (where Elizabeth took photos on the very spot where her father had stood in the original war photo), but to the surrounding towns and villages, where Elizabeth’s father had fought during Operation Veritable in February 1945. Roland was a kind, generous and knowledgeable guide and everyone enjoyed the day, which ended in a delicious meal in a lovely restaurant in the Reichswald Forest. Words cannot express how grateful we are to both Jan and Roland for making this day so special. It goes without saying that they have been

invited to visit us when they come to Scotland.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 69 No.1, 2024