Police World 1 2017

IPA News

Raiders of the South Atlantic by Wes Marchant , Secretary Rochdale IPA

Respects were also paid at the Argentinian cemetery, which is maintained wholly by the families of the dead. The end of the memorable week was capped when they were welcomed and entertained by the officers of the Royal Falkland

34 years after landing on The Falklands as part of “Operation Corporate” otherwise known as the South Atlantic Task Force, Rochdale member and GMP Comms officer Gary Mcloughlin paid a return visit. Together with seven ex members of 30th Signal regiment, he left RAF Brize Norton on the 18 hour flight via the Ascension Islands arriving in Stanley in the middle of the South Atlantic winter. A sense of Déjà vu prevailed The intention was to revisit battlefield sights and trace the steps of the fallen comrades from the Royal Signals who had made the ultimate sacrifice during the conflict. During their stay they were treated as VIP’s, served tea in the wardroom of HMS Clyde the resident south Atlantic warship. They were also entertained by the governor of the Falkland Islands Colin Roberts CVO. Along with tours of all areas of the current RAF base at Mount Pleasant, home to a squadron of Typhoon fighter jets, they were also treated to a VIP dinner hosted by 266 Signal Squadron Gurhka Signals, who cooked a splendid goat curry! The free bar helped with the digestion of the said goat. They also visited sites that became household names during the conflict, such as Goose Green, San Carlos harbour, Ajax Bay and Bluff Cove.

Islands Police force, including a tour of their detention facilities, which consisted of 3, 8 x 4 single stone cells, with a bucket for ablutions. Obviously PACE has never reached the Falklands. As a thank you for their hospitality Gary was delighted to present the force with a Rochdale branch IPA plaque which is now proudly displayed inside the entrance to the police station. The return journey back to the UK was much better this time, than in 1982, the A330 Airbus taking the place of the turbo prop Hercules transporter where Gary had to bed down on top of a redundant missile which was being returned back to the munitions stores in Blighty. Gary presenting IPA Plaque

Meeting the Governor

Gary and the penguins

Police World Editor, Neil Hallam receives Long Service & Good Conduct Medal I was very pleased to be presented with my medal by Nottinghamshire’s Deputy Lieutenant. I was especially happy to have my retired Police Officer mum, Barbara present. You have read in a

Cream Teas Event raises £150 for Air Ambulance Avon and Somerset Branch Sunday 14th August brought sunshine and lovely warm summer weather. Hans and Derry had prepared the garden patio for an outside event which encouraged a very cordial gathering of members plus a couple of visitors. It was good to welcome new faces this year. Having a good time and sharing friendship was not the sole purpose of our event, we aimed to raise money for our charity the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. We all tucked into the lovely fresh scones still warm from the oven, with lashings of jam &cream, then came the fresh baked cake selection and finally that sponge – oh how Allan’s eyes popped out of his head – he broke all the rules of his diet (& was not the only one). We are very grateful to Hans and Derry who have donated their home together with the scones, cream and cakes for a number of years. This year the numbers were the most ever, the bonus being the weather – so a truly outside summer event.

previous issue how proud my mum is of our family trade. As a son it is a wonderful feeling to make your mum proud.

POLICE WORLD Vol 62 No. 1, 2017

20

Made with