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Keeping You Informed

A little Price of Life Fred Boyd : Section UK Treasurer I am sure that Sean Hannigan will not mind me paraphrasing his “Little Slice of Life” title, into one befitting the Treasurer’s report. O ur 70th Anniversary was expected to be an extraordinary year, with events being organised by all Regions. As you know, many had to be cancelled and others are in doubt. It was a great I mentioned earlier about cancellation of events throughout the year. The NEC took the difficult decision to postpone our 2020 NCM in Lincoln. Thankfully, the cancellation costs for this event to the Section are minimal. If Regions have incurred losses due to event cancellations during this pandemic, the NEC are willing to examine and consider any requests.

pleasure for my wife Hilary, son Gary and I to attend the Iconic Event in Kingussie Scotland. It was a tremendous weekend, thanks goes to David and Yvonne McGregor for organizing, and raising a fabulous amount of money for the Scottish Air Ambulance. The Regional Treasurers will have seen that their Regional Levies were paid during March 2020. This totalled £37,885.05, the amounts varied depending on membership from £1,360.80 to £6,195.95. In addition to this levy an old initiative was re-introduced, that when a Region recruited a new member, they were awarded £6 per new member. This too was paid in March, totalling £1,686.00, with Regional payments ranging from £42.00 to £318.00.

Zoom has become extremely popular, with many Sections holding Coffee mornings, which attracted national attendance. I joined in two of the IPA Whisky Forums, which are held at 8pm on the first Saturday of each month. We are pleased to have had members join us from around the world. Special mention goes to Australia and New Zealand, whose members joined us at 3am and 7am in their time zones. I also want to pay tribute to Regions and Branches who have contacted vulnerable members of our Association throughout the pandemic, helping where required.

A Social Slice of Life Yvonne McGregor : Section UK Vice President (Social) In these unprecedented times, socialising is very important. I know some of you are Shielding or Self Isolating, which must be extremely difficult at times. As VP Social, I have tried to extend the Hand of Friendship with a few social events, which can be joined from the comfort of your armchair. I had the pleasure in hosting our first IPA Wine Tasting in May , which Moving away from the alcohol theme, several events have sadly been postponed or cancelled due to Covid-19. The 2020 National Council Meeting in Lincoln has been postponed until 4th to 6th June next year. The 2020 National Golf Competition was also cancelled, and has been rolled over to 2nd & 3rd June next year. Members Day at IPA HQ will be on Friday, 11th December 2020.

12 members joined on Zoom. May saw another first for us, when 16 teams entered our Quiz via Zoom. Congratulations to our winner, Georgina Simpson-Stevens from Wakefield. Jack Baxter from Blackpool and North Lancashire Branch was our Quiz Master, ably assisted by his wife Ann. The Whiskey Forum’s virtual tasting in May was organised by Section Australia at 8pm Australian time. Several of our members joined the conversation at 1pm UK time, although some opted for a cup of tea. A regular International member on the Whiskey forum is Mike Norden, President of Section New Zealand. He invited our members to join him via Zoom, to celebrate his Section’s 54th Anniversary. If you are on Facebook and wish to join the Whisky, Wine or Guinness Forums, please let me know. Continuing the whisky theme, you can order a bottle of our 70th Anniversary Whisky, for £105. This is a 23 year old Ben Riach, Cask Strength Single Malt, 48.2% abv. Only 280 of these numbered bottles were produced. It can be ordered by contacting Robertsons of Pitlochry on 01796 472 011 or email info@robertsonsofpitlochry.co.uk . We also have an IPA Beer. It has been brewed in the Cask our 70th Anniversary IPA Whisky was in, so it is unique and totally IPA. It is 8%abv, so very strong for a beer, and has taken on a hint of whisky, oak and vanilla from the cask. It too is available from Robertsons of Pitlochry. The 330 ml bottles cost £6.50 each, with p&p to be added. A box of six costs £45, including p&p.

Details for most Social IPA events are on the IPA Section UK Facebook page. Ask to join if you are not already a member, and that way you won’t miss out on what is happening.

POLICE WORLD Vol 65 No.3, 2020

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