PW_3_2024

IPA News

Cross Border Initiative The Inaugural meeting of the Cross Border Initiative took place on Thursday 13th June at the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, co-chaired by President Section Ireland Conor O’Higgins and Deirdre Mahony, Chair of UK Section Region 2 N Ireland. The aim is to further cross-border friendship and encourage greater joint activities. Conor welcomed everyone to the meeting and set out the vision for this IPA initiative. Deirdre thanked everyone present and those unable to make the meeting for volunteering so enthusiastically to be representatives for this wonderful group. She said that this was very much Conor’s idea that it should re-emerge, having existed very successfully previously, and that she was delighted to work with Conor to get to this point, when they hand over to those present to take forward as they see fit, for the benefit of all members North and South of the border. Participants then broke into neighbouring border county groups to plan how they might connect through joint activities. Some of the proposals included introductions of other members and organising various social and sporting fixtures. Pete Connolly (Down) and Willie Maye (Donegal) agreed to be the group’s liaison officers to the National Executive Committee Section Ireland and the Regional Committee UK No 2 Region N Ireland. The Group chose its name as NORTH SOUTH. Conor and Deirdre wished the group much success. Reps for the meeting included: Willie Maye, Donegal; Philip Maree, Sligo/Leitrim; Adrian Durkan, Avan/Monaghan; Patrick Donnelly, Louth Region; Rodney MaKenzie, Londonderry/Derry; Liz Cullen, Fermanagh; Pete Connolly, Down; Kelly Gibson, Down; Phil Dornan, Armagh and Noreen Wall, Down.

7 Region AGM A productive 7 Region AGM was held in the Exeter Golf and Country Club, Topsham on March 23rd, with representation from all Branches. There were 22 attendees in total, plus a few people joining on Zoom. Despite some fragile Branch committees, it was heartening to see some members stay in post longer than planned in the interests of our Friendship Organisation. Hampshire Branch reported good engagement with both Jersey and Guernsey and both Islands are gaining strength with serving personnel becoming actively involved. Our Region re-elected the sitting committee, who once again stood for their roles unopposed - Chairman: Tim Faltermeyer; Vice Chairman: Keith Howard; Treasurer: Mike Vince and Secretary: Una Blundell. It was good to meet Tony Thompson in person, the new Chairman of Avon and Somerset, who is looking forward to the role. There were meaningful discussions around our 75th anniversary and how best this could be celebrated within our Region. A Gala dinner was discussed at length, and this is likely to be earlier in 2025 so that it does not clash with other National events. Our thanks go to VP Colin Hutt for his on-going support to our Region and for providing us with the Zoom facility. At the close of the meeting our Chairman Tim Faltermeyer presented Wilf Rickard (Cornwall) with a 40-year membership certificate. ‘Congratulations Wilf’. There was also unanimous support for an HLM (Honorary Life Membership) proposal being submitted for a deserving member in our Region!

Waldshut-Tiengen member visits Sussex Branch

Waldshut-Tiengen is twinned with Lewes, the County Town of Sussex, and the respective IPA branches have enjoyed regular exchanges since 1997, with Sussex branch last there in May 2023. Christoph Bargheer and his dog PD Lisa, work on the border between Germany and Switzerland. On May Bank holiday Monday Christoph, his girlfriend Steffi – who works for the Polzeiprasidium in Ravensburg - accompanied by PD Lisa, landed at Dover and dropped in to visit Sussex branch members at the Worthing home of branch Chairman David Stamp. They were on their way for a camping holiday in Scotland. Seven branch members met them and enjoyed an afternoon tea in the garden.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 69 No.3, 2024