NARPO- SWANSEA (98) BRANCH

SPRING NEWSLETTER 2012

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRESIDENT

REUNION EVENING--PLUS FUN QUIZ NIGHT –PLUS FREE BUFFET Dunvant Rugby Club on Wednesday 18th April 2011

Commencing 8.0pm for all members, and their guests who are most welcome.The AGM will be held the same evening at 7.15pm and all members are entitled to attend this as well. If you just want to attend the Reunion/ Fun Quiz and Buffet turn up at 8pm - if you want to

also attend the AGM turn up at 7.15pm .It would most helpful to us to know the approximate number attending to gauge the amount of buffet items to be ordered .Please let Phil Taylor know by Sunday 15th April 2012 if you are going to be there plus friends. You can either telephone Phil, at 01792 -842378 or Email at narposwansea@yahoo.co.uk or by sending this return slip to him at Beaumont, Bryntawe Road, Ynystawe, Swansea, SA6 5AD --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To- Phil Taylor- Secretary Swansea Narpo I will be attending the Reunion / Buffet and Quiz Night at Dunvant Rugby Club on 18th April 2012 Please book for ….. persons (friends are welcome) Signed…………………………….. Dated…………………………………. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have not indicated that you are going to be there DO NOT BE DETERRED just turn up and we will just share whatever buffet is ordered -

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NEW MEMBERS Welcome to Mike “Diggory” Williams, Nigel John, Tanya Yates (Crawford) Clive Walton (Associate) Roger Wedlake, Clive Cowey and Margaret Morgan (Additionals) BEREAVEMENTS - Condolences to the families of Kerry Lewis, Rene Dart –Non members Dennis Leach and Derrick Rastin former Secretary to Glamorgan Narpo Branch. Derrick was extremely helpful to this Branch in his 14 years there. ILL HEALTH Best wishes to, Judith Michael, Gareth Jones, Lance Benson, Cheryl Taylor, Jeff and Danna Davies, Gareth James, and Kath Frame CONGRATULATIONS to the following on their special Birthdays between April and June Clive Cowey, Byron Gale, Alwyn Hughes, Brenda Rees, Graham Mill, Diane Knight, Margaret Arnall, Norman Hathaway, Brian Jones, Margaret Davies, Trevor Lempriere, Dennis Pritchard, Jeanette Hamilton, Brian Davies, Hugh Williams, David Thomas, Angela Evans, and Margaret Oliver. Also to Peter and Barbara White (Golden) and David and Marjorie Rees (Diamond) on their wedding anniversaries. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

SERVOCA RESOURCING SOLUTIONS are still looking for retired Police Officers to work in South Wales and West England regions. The positions range from Civilian Investigators • Disclosure Officers • House 2 House Enquiry Teams • CCTV Viewing • PNC Operators - Communication Officers• Intelligence Analysts/Researchers• NPIA Accredited Financial Investigators• Enforcement Officers• Incident Room Staff; Holmes Staff• Case File Preparation• Public Enquiry Officers• PCSO Trainers• Scenes of Crime Officers. Please contact Amanda Butler at Servoca: Tel: 0845 073 7800/7800 . Email: amanda.butler@servoca.com or view website www.servoca-police.com G4S (was Securicor) - have a wide range of job opportunities for retired officers. Contact Rachel Barham at Tel 020 8249 6614 Fax 020 8249 6397 Email rachel.barham@policerecruit.co.uk or visit their website at www.policerecruit.co.uk -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION Rtd Sgt Julia Brown North Wales offers a 2 bedroom Mobile Home Holiday accommodation at Camps du Pylone,Antibes nr Nice, France.Prices range from £160 -£410 per week, with Special Offers of 4 for 3 during April and May. Julia can be contacted at Tel: 01492-879108 or by Email at juliabrownsword@lineone.net More details can be viewed on our website or at www.brownsword-mobilehomes-nice.net co.uk NARPO VILLAS Lord Wolf of Barleugh and his family have kindly allowed NARPO to have access free of rental charge to two of the family villas. Villa Endymion is situated in Bloemendaal a pretty town on the outskirts of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Villa Scylla is situated in the suburbs of Lavena Ponte Tresa directly on Lake Lugarno, Italy. Costs of to and from the villas will be members’ responsibility. It will also be members’ responsibility to ensure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover, in particular, for medical emergencies and unforeseen cancellations. There is no charge for gas and electricity at the villas as will adequate bedding and towels for guests. Further details and pictures can be seen on the website www.narpo.org Bookings will initially be for a one or two week period and changeover day will be Friday.

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OLD C.P.S – NOW KNOWN AS LLYS GLAS The “Central” as we called it will be 100 years old next year. Mr Tim Kelly an artist now working at Llys Glas would like to interview people who have worked there in the past. He hopes to stage a series of events to mark the building’s centenary and would like to hear from those with experience of the site. He wants to record and document people's experiences and of course would include anonymous interviews. He would like former officers to contribute to an exhibition of art works that can be displayed at the former station to commemorate the former history of the building. If you are interested please contact Tim via email at “llysglasartists@yahoo.com” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BLASTS FROM THE PAST -CONTINUED This picture was sent to us by member Brian Pounder who is the nephew of Edgar West (Brian you kept that quiet!) The photo was taken in mid 1930,s when Swansea was Training Centre for the area, hence Pc Asher from Neath. If you can identify any who are not named please let us know...

Back Row Les Punter -???-Edgar West - ???- Ted Thompson - PC12 Asher-(Neath)- Wilf Harries Second Row Charles Millis - DV Turner- FJ May??? -Ned Parker Front Row Frank Usher - ??? - Dick Smale We thank Brian for this contribution which can also bee seen on or website

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BLAST FROM THE NOT SO DISTANT PAST

This picture of the last shift by Havard Rees was sent to us from Portugal. It was sent by ex-Swansea Policeman Martyn Williams who now lives in Portugal. Martyn joined the Gwent Force in 1974, transferred to South Wales in 1976 and posted to Swansea in 1976. He spent most his time on “A”Group, with stints in Prosecutions and the Control Room. He was “Acting” Sgt in Uplands for 6 years. The word acting is underlined because he later had strong links in professional entertainment.

Martyn left the force in 1986 to study Politics at Swansea University. After graduating in 1989 he became Entertainments Manager there followed by managing Penyrheol Theatre and Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd. He “booked” several famous acts –including Jools Holland, Bob Geldorf, The Fureys, The Buzzcocks & Jack Dee. In 1993 he took a holiday to Portugal, liked the country so much he returned to live there and qualified to be a teacher. He taught English in Coimbra, where he is Director of Studies at Portugal’s largest language school. He is benefitting from Portugal’s “Euro” troubles with many Portuguese parents want their children to learn English. His wife, Maria, lectures in law at Coimbra University. Martyn enjoys life in

Portugal - less stressful, food and drink cheaper, and a lovely climate. He has visited over 40 countries on holidays. It is now time to catch our breath!! He has fond memories of his time with the Police in Swansea and recalls a particular incident on Swansea Beach allegedly involving a drowning individual- it was set up by colleagues who later alleged he could walk on water He regularly meets up with Alan Gills and has Facebook contact with Dai Rees (2880), Pauline Uzzell, Bob Whitter-Jones, Terry Townend, Elaine Warne and Sheena Davies. He is quite amenable to further Facebook contacts from former colleagues. The picture shows Martyn, meeting Alan Gills and Dave Gorman (Dyfed Powys –brother in law of Martyn) and his sister Claire.

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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO NEWSPAPER PROOF READING?

Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter (How did he manage that then?)

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash Expert Says (What an expert!)

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers (Well, that's one method of enforcement)

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over (Mmmmmm !!)

Miners Refuse to Work after Death (What a bunch of good-for-nothing' lazy #@@%-*&-%xxs)

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant (That should cut down on delinquency.)

War Dims Hope for Peace (Now isn’t that surprising.)

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile (What perception)

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures (You have to have a doctorate in meteorology to think like this.)

Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide (They may be on to something.)

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WERE YOU POLICING IN THE 50's? IF SO THE BBC WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP.

I am a researcher for a series of 5 daytime documentaries for BBC1 about the 1950s going out in March to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. The focus is on life during the 50s and I am working on a strand of films that will tell of the different social tribes during the period. One of the tribes we are exploring is the nostalgic Bobby on the beat epitomised by the popular TV Dixon of Dock Green. We are really keen to talk to a policeman who was active during the 50s and has memories of what it was like that support the image presented in this series. We really want a great character - someone with some great stories and ideally some photographs/archive of them working during this decade. Georgia Sawyer 1952 Show - BBC ONE Northern Ireland Mobile: 07786133146 Georgia.Sawyer@bbc.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NARPO/AXA- TRAVEL INSURANCE Renewal date for the above is 1st May 2012. Those members not wishing to renew need to cancel their Direct Debit Instruction with their bank, AND need to inform Wakefield -(Alan Dockerty on 01924.331256) – if they do not follow this through the money will be automatically taken from your account on the 17th May 2012 . Any member expecting to automatically renew should have a new policy document from AXA (probably to be received around mid to late April) Without receipt of these two documents you are not on the automatic renew data file and will not be covered for travel insurance, some members last year travelled abroad thinking they had been automatically renewed but had not received either of these documents – they were not covered. The new rates from 1st May 2012 to 30th April 2013 will be: Single - £120.00 Joint- £165.00 (Includes single parent) Family £175.00

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FUTURE SOCIAL EVENTS

The Summer Trip will to Wells on Wednesday 5th September 2012 The Christmas Dinner will be held at Swansea Rugby Club on Wednesday 12th December 2012 We are hoping to hold a Coffee Morning or Afternoon Tea in late Summer- this will be a new venture for us. Similar events are popular in other areas Fuller details in following Newsletters.

DETAILS OF SPOUSES/PARTNERS Our records are voluntary, kept mainly for Social and communication purposes e.g. Birthdays Occasionally we seem to have incorrect names of partners. You are all invited to check your details if you so wish by contacting Phil Taylor at 01792-842378 - Email -www.narposwansea.co.uk or Bryon Tucker 01792-208338 or Email bryon.tucker@btinternet.com .

WEBSITE CHANGES When you next visit our website why not check out our new Forum. This is an opportunity for you to share your views ‘live’ on any topic, suggestions, share your good or bad holiday experiences, recommend or not recommend particular firms or tradesmen. You can make these contributions under a pseudonym if you so wish (there are safeguards to prevent unauthorised use).If you want to know more information, please contact our Webmaster Jeff Davies by Email: beewise@talktalk.net The Website is paid for by yourselves and is primarily for YOUR information, perusal etc To prevent unauthorised access from Non Subscribers certain aspects of the website can now only be accessed by the use of a Password confined to our Members. The password can be obtained by emailing Phil

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING – AGM 18th April and new Committee first meeting April 26th 2012. Contact any Committee Member if you wish raise any issue P.P.S KEEP CHECKING OUR WEBSITE -www.narposwansea.co.uk- FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION - WE ARE AWARE THAT MORE OF YOU NOW VISIT THE SITE REGULARLY

HAPPY EASTER