PW_4_2018

IPA News

Meeting the Chief Denis Hunt & Ken Davies South Wales Branch

The South Wales Police has a new Chief Constable. Matt Jukes QPM was the previous Deputy Chief Constable and so has previously been harassed by us about promoting the IPA. For the meeting, Mr Jukes obviously felt he needed support in fighting off our advances and brought along his new Deputy, Richard Lewis. Ken presented Mr Jukes with his Certificate, identifying him as Joint Patron of our South Wales Branch. Then both he and Mr Lewis received one of the IPA’s finest quality bone china mugs (at last I’ve got rid of them all). Plenty of constructive conversation followed, in particular regarding Professional Development and ILDEP, plus in-Force opportunities to circulate information promoting the IPA. Later this year, South Wales are taking on a new intake of 50 new officers; apprentices as they are apparently now called. We have therefore been invited to put on display stands at a ‘Fresher’s’ Day which will be open to all officers and staff to attend. So, a worthwhile meeting that we believe continued to promote the values of the IPA for serving officers and staff.

Car Treasure Hunt in North Leicestershire Fred Rankin Publicity Officer, Leicestershire Branch The start of the hunt was near to East Midlands Airport and, on a beautiful sunny day, 34 members of Leicestershire Branch set out on a mission to decipher the clues to many different features, dates, statues and other types of building curiosities in the surrounding area. There was a pleasant drive from the start to the beautiful village of Belton. Many of the unusual features on the way were relatively easy to find, such as the old police lock-up in Breedon on the Hill, to the fox jumping over the maypole in Belton. However, there were several tricky spots en route and this is where the keen eyes of the Ball family won them the first prize. IPA member Martin Ball, his wife Rebecca and their daughter, Florence, amassed a 96% score. This meant that they were awarded the coveted Treasure Hunt Trophy and gift vouchers worth £20. The trophy was presented to Florence by IPA Vice President Clive Wood who organised the event. To round off the day, all members were able to enjoy a Sunday lunch in The Queen’s Head, Belton.

Templars’ Treasure Chris Morgan Secretary, Lincolnshire Branch

On Wednesday 15th August, the Lincolnshire Branch organised a Car Treasure Hunt which took place around the villages to the south of Lincoln. Clues to be found included things around the Knights Templar, which have several older buildings in the area, 15th Century Dovecotes, and the usual things around local Churches and local attractions. There were 20 competitors and the whole Treasure Hunt took about two and a half hours. As you would expect, it ended up at a local hostelry for a well-earned lunch. Chris Morgan, the Branch Secretary, stated “It was a very interesting morning, with competitors visiting places they had never been to before. The weather was good to us and everyone enjoyed the morning and the chats afterwards. Thanks must go to Committee Member Barry Sinclair who put the “Hunt” together.”

Cambridgeshire Treasure Hunt Steve Bretherton

The participants reported that the hunt was somewhat challenging: the words, ‘devious’ and ‘tricksy’ were freely banded about! Nevertheless, the quickest team finished in an hour and a half. Along the route the participants were asked, amongst other things, to spot the rare Edward VIII royal crest above the town’s post office, identify the town’s oldest building (Craspen Cottage, built in 1626) and spot where in the town you might

find the symbol on the national flag of Barbados (a trident). Once all the competitors arrived back safe and sound, they were treated to a roast pulled pork lunch after which organiser, Steve Bretherton, awarded first prize to Nigel and Mandy Wilson, who now have the pleasure of arranging next year’s treasure hunt.

Now in its fifth year, the annual Cambridgeshire Branch Walking Treasure Hunt, held at the end of July, found participants gamely searching for clues in the town of March, deep in the Fens. After weeks of unbroken sunshine, members of Cambridgeshire IPA, supported by members of the Whittlesey Lions Club, dodged the showers to complete the mile and a half long route.

POLICE WORLD Vol 63 No. 4, 2018

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