PW_4_2020

Keeping you informed

Keeping you informed Some of you will remember in my last article I gave details of an e-book of remembrance, which Vice President (Communications & Culture) Sean Hannigan was working on. This has now become a reality as a Facebook page, which Sean has kindly offered to manage. This will give us the opportunity to remember our members who have left us this year prematurely during the current pandemic. Sean has explained to me that he hopes the digital memory can be converted into a hard bound book at some stage, when

it is appropriate, which can be displayed in our Headquarters at Arthur Troop House, in Nottingham.

W hilst I am thinking about Arthur Troop House there are a number of updates to share with you. In the last edition I was delighted to announce that Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, had agreed to become our Patron during our special 70th Anniversary year. The executive agreed to purchase a portrait of Her Royal Highness, which has been put on display at Fox Road, in close proximity to a portrait of our founder Arthur Troop. If you find yourself at Fox Road our helpful and friendly staff will be happy to show you the portraits. Please do remember to call in advance, as we are a COVID-19 friendly workplace, and have put in significant measures to keep our staff and visitors safe. That said, at the present time our staff continue to show great flexibility by, in the main, working from home. We have invested in technology to enable them to do this. This includes providing laptop computers and investing in a new telephone system for Arthur Troop House, which allows calls to be taken over the Internet. In some ways it was timely to review the telephone system which was no longer supported and hopelessly out of date. I thank our staff for the flexibility they have shown in doing a great job, ensuring that our members continue to receive a first rate service. Whilst we are unsure as to how the rest of the year will pan out, you will recall previously that VP Sean Hannigan, with his Culture portfolio hat on, was arranging an interesting and exciting weekend around Members Day in December this year. Although all events are subject to change as government restrictions develop, it is still hoped that we will welcome the International Executive Board in December to help recognise our anniversary year. On Saturday the 12th December we hope to visit Skegness, hosted by Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Bill Skelly, for the dedication of a plaque to our founder Arthur Troop. On Sunday 13th December we hope to be at Fox Road, with the usual opening of the archive and other events. I know Sean will publicise this widely when our plans can be firmed up, so do please keep an eye open. It would be great to see you if it is possible. Finally on Fox Road the executive have recently agreed to undertake some works on the building and site, to help keep it in good order. We have agreed a program of decoration both inside and out, together with some work to increase the car parking capacity at the rear of the building (always an issue when events are on). I am hopeful this work can be undertaken in the next few months.

Many of you will be aware there is a current review about the long-term future for Arthur Troop House, but it was clear that this expenditure was both appropriate and necessary to maintain the building, whatever the decision of National Council. As an executive we recently agreed that all Special Interest Group (SIG) matters should be coordinated and overseen by Vice President Yvonne McGregor, who holds the Social portfolio. She has kindly undertaken a review of our current SIG’s. Throughout the past few months I know many SIG’s have continued to provide opportunities for members. The motorcycle group is extremely active, and has recently been out on rides in an appropriately socially distanced way, although I was sorry to see their annual BBQ had to be cancelled. I also know the Writers Group have been meeting regularly to develop their skills. Finally I should mention at our recent executive group meeting, we fully endorsed the formation of a Family History Special Interest Group. I believe this was born out of a coffee morning on Zoom, and I’m delighted there has been such interest shown. Further information can be obtained from Denis Hunt, who is the Secretary of Region 4 (Wales). I know this is an interest of many members both here and abroad, and I am also aware that our group have offered any assistance possible to members from other sections researching their family history here in the UK. I hope to be able to make this offer at this year‘s World Congress, which is to be held virtually in October. Whilst I await further details, I have received the conference pack and will give you an update in my next article. Many other events are being held virtually this year as I’m sure you have found. This includes the National Police Memorial Day (NPMD) and the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) events, and I encourage you to have a look on the websites for these events.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 65 No.4, 2020