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Spotlight on the SIGS

The IPA Writers’ Special Interest Group (and Global Writers’ Forum) Andy Gregory , IPA Writers Special Interest Group In this and future editions, we focus on aspects of the Writers’ Special Interest Group. If you are an aspiring or existing writer in the IPA, you may find much to inspire you in the SIG.

Why a Special Interest Group for Writers? Back in 2014, a few of our more senior branch members in the West Midlands where I was chair, questioned the list of cultural topics at Gimborn where I had attended policing seminars on five occasions since 2007, saying there seemed to be very little subject matter that would attract them. I spoke with one of my close friends in the IPA, Sean Hannigan, the Vice President Culture at the time, about these conversations and suggested that we should establish more social and cultural programmes at Gimborn. I suggested a Writers’ SIG. Now Sean is not one to rest on his laurels and so the Section UK Writers’ Special Interest Group was formed at Gimborn with the very first writers’ seminar and the formation of the group under the lead of David Lewis (3 Region) and Neil Hallam (5 Region). Our Membership We are an eclectic bunch varying from very experienced writers with large, published lists to absolute beginners, and some that are just interested observers. Many of our members are new to the craft and part of our reason for existence is to encourage them to continue to improve their writing and to become published authors. You don’t have to be a published author, or even want to write a book to be a member. We have such a wide range of experience in the group with some that are either just starting their writing journey and those that have written or published articles, poetry, short stories, novels or factual books. We even have members who are publishers, artists, photographers, bonsai artists, cartoonists and other craft creators. We have around 55 members at present, and we consist of two bodies: the ‘SIG’ and the ‘Forum’

What is the Global Writers’ Forum? The reason for the two distinct groups is that some of the group, and many who have attended our Gimborn Writers’ Seminars in Germany, are not from the UK, so cannot be members of the Section UK SIG. We also have some spouses of IPA members, who cannot join the IPA in their own right, so it makes sense to have two groups – the UK IPA members in the Writers’ SIG and the others in the Forum who can join in with some of the wider activities. We currently have members from Spain, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, USA and Kenya as well as our UK contingent. The British South African Police the ‘BSAP’ (from the former Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe), which was embraced by the IPA a few years ago, is also very well represented. In the first six years of our existence, the SIG has run five seminar series on writing skills with IBZ Gimborn, produced 17 editions of ‘Writes’ magazines, run many writers’ days, twice monthly Zoom gatherings, many evening lectures, presented at the ArtIPA Festival in Madrid at the invitation of Section Spain, produced an anthology work of member’s poems and stories, and is currently producing an inspiring book of 50 works by UK, Spanish and European IPA members aimed at police mental well-being. But perhaps the SIG’s greatest achievement is to live daily into the IPA ethos of friendship and support. It is a priceless benefit, enjoyed by all. Next time we focus on the works of some of the SIG members.

POLICE WORLD Vol 69 No.4, 2024

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