PW_3_2019

IPA News

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum David King , Surrey Branch Secretary

After WWII, Tangmere became the home to the RAF high speed record breaking Meteor aircraft. There was so much to see. We also made a very special presentation to Surrey member Roger Jackaman, who has been an IPA member for 50 years. I had the pleasure of presenting him with his well-deserved 50 year membership certificate. Roger has kept all his annual memberships, including the early stamp ones. So we asked him to show us, so that we could all count them. This is why we are

For our April social gathering, some 20 members visited Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, near Chichester, where I had arranged a talk and guided tour of the museum. After coffee in the NAAFI tea room, we all gathered in the Neville Duke Hall for a briefing and slide presentation. Len Outridge, the museum’s chief guide, took us through the history of Tangmere from its beginning in 1916 to the present day. After the presentation, we were led in two groups for a guided tour of the museum. The museum was both fascinating and moving, as there was so much history there. RAF Tangmere was a Fighter Command base during WWII; the Battle of Britain, through to the D Day landings in June 1944. Tangmere was also the main base for the SOE (Special Operations Executive) operations into occupied France. Using their specially adapted Lysander aircraft, the brave operators embarked on clandestine missions to occupied

laughing in the photo. Afterwards, some of us enjoyed lunch in the NAAFI, although war time Spam fritters were not on the menu.

France, as agents and radio operators. The Lysander pilot and the operators were lodged in the nearby Tangmere House, before flying into occupied France. They could only fly at full moon, at low level across occupied France, using landmarks like churches and bridges to navigate. These brave operators have been featured in numerous films and sadly a couple were betrayed, tortured and killed.

Roger 50 presentation

David presenting guide Len with pennant

7 Region AGM: an efficient and friendly affair Una Blundell & Mike Chappell The 7 Region Mayflower planning and AGM had an excellent attendance of 23 people at the White Ensign club in Exeter. Both meetings were ably chaired by Colin Gameson who welcomed members from Avon & Somerset, Thames Valley, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall. Members were anxious to share their good news stories and the hard work that goes on within the Branches, whilst facing the challenges of an ever changing Police Service. Our thanks go to those members who had travelled long distances in order to attend the meetings, with some people setting off at 06.30 am to catch a train, and others not far behind. A special tribute and thanks was paid to John Bull (Thames Valley Branch), who this year stood down from Vice Chair. John is an IPA veteran, with a record of loyal service, commitment and achievement. The good news is that Harvey Whittam from Thames Valley has been elected to serve as the new Vice Chair.

Colin Gameson

Accompanied by cheers and a round of applause, the ever-popular Colin Gameson was elected unopposed as Regional Chair of 7 Region. Hardworking Colin is also Chair of the Cornwall Branch. The parting message from the Chairman was ‘back to basics’ and to keep friendship at the heart of all our dealings, before we enjoyed a handsome buffet lunch laid on by Exeter’s White Ensign Club. A great team for the year ahead and we thank each and every one of them for their service and hard work. Congratulations one and all. The Region Executive for 2019 is as follows; Chair – Colin Gameson Vice Chair – Harvey Whittam

Visitors from Canada Yvonne McGregor , Section UK VP David and Yvonne went to Pitlochry to meet up with Canadian IPA Member Alberto Neumann and his wife Denise, from Ontario, who had been touring Scotland. They took them to the Moulin Inn for a meal to enjoy the Real Ales brewed in a building behind the Inn. We enjoyed our evening and exchanged memorabilia, before returning them to their B&B. They then travelled to Belfast for a few days, before heading onto Dublin.

Treasurer – Mike Vince Secretary – Una Blundell

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POLICE WORLD Vol 64 No.3, 2019