PW_4_2018

IPA News

Cambridgeshire Branch Visit to Masteroast Steve Bretherton

between. After the presentation it was time to don hi-viz vests and hair nets. Even beard nets for some. Our tour of the factory included the vast on-site storehouses, the huge coffee roasters and the lines packaging everything from coffee pods to coffee bags. After the factory tour it was time for a blind tasting of 4 different coffees, with most of us preferring the cheaper Brazilian coffee.

Members from Cambridgeshire Branch enjoyed their visit to Masteroast in Peterborough in April last year so much that the branch organised another visit at the beginning of August this year. You may not have heard of Masteroast, but the firm has been around since 1981 and roasts over 4000 tons of coffee each year for over 600 companies, including other coffee roasters in the UK. Hosted by Lloyd, one of the company’s in-house coffee graders, members were taken through to the Coffee Training Centre, where we learned about everything from the origins of coffee to grinding beans and everything in

Having given up his evening to lead our tour of the factory, an IPA plaque was presented to Lloyd by Regional Secretary, Stuart Anderson.

Surrey Branch Tour of Farnborough Airport David King Surrey Branch

Colin’s brush with royalty Colin Gameson will remember the 19th May 2018 when he served at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. By coincidence, it also happened to be his 55th birthday. Colin arrived at Windsor in the early morning to take up his position as temporary Page in HM Royal Household, a position he has held for 33 years. Colin first met HM the Queen when she visited the King of Norway and she took time to meet the families at the British Embassy in Oslo, where Colin’s father worked. Colin had been working in ‘guest services’ at Hotel Scandinavia next to the Kings’ Palace. A life in the Royal Household began at 18 when he became a Senior Footman and Butler Valet. A career in the Metropolitan Police followed, firstly serving 12 years as a Special Constable and then joining the regulars in 1995. He transferred to Devon & Cornwall in 2000 where he currently serves. During his Police service he has been allowed to maintain his part- time position with the Royal Household. Colin joined the IPA in 1985 in the Metropolitan Police and transferred to the Cornwall Branch in 2000 and has been an active member ever since. He currently holds the position of Regional Chairman and amongst his many priorities he is busy working towards the IPA Iconic Event of ‘Mayflower 400 Plymouth’ which takes place 13th – 19th September 2020. He has the unstinting support of his wife Maria, who makes his many IPA & other activities possible.

as learning about the various instruments and guidance systems. We were then taken to the hangers where private jets are housed and serviced. What was striking was that the floor was spotlessly clean with not a drop of oil on the floor. We were not allowed to take photographs of the planes in the hanger for obvious reasons, but it was such an insight into how the rich and famous travel. The highlight for most of us was the radar room which showed all aircraft movements in the south, including Heathrow, which was an eye opener. We were then taken to the control tower for a wonderful view over the airfield which the control tower operators have. I even tried to do my “Top Gun” impression by making out I was Ghost Rider, asking for a flypast, to which the control operator said: “No, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full”. We had an enjoyable tour, and then we adjourned to a local pub on the edge of the airfield for lunch.

David King from Surrey Branch organised a tour of Farnborough Airport on Wednesday 6th June 2018 for members of 11 Region. The tour was limited to 17 members due to the tour being conducted around the airport on the airport bus. We were all assembled at the main offices after going through the security gate for our three hour tour. We were met by our guide Tony Knight and our mini bus driver Brian Finch. Tony gave us an insight of the airport as well as the history of the former airfield base of the Royal aircraft establishment. Tony had worked as an apprentice aircraft engineer at the Royal Aircraft establishment and continued working there when it was sold by the government to the private company TAG. Tony explained so much about the workings of the airfield as it was under the RAE and now under TAG as we were driven around. We were even driven up the runway, which was quite exciting, as well

22

POLICE WORLD Vol 63 No. 4, 2018