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NEWSLETTER, DEWSBURY
DEWSBURY BRANCH
NEWSLETTER
MAY 2010
SECRETARY’S MUSING
It is strange to think this is the last newsletter I will write to you and I have mixed feelings.
For the first time in my adult life I will be no longer involved actively in any organisation and this contributes to my feelings.
I realise there is a time to let go and allow others to take on the responsibility but a little bit of me thinks I am letting my friends down
although in my heart of hearts I know the time has come.
As all of you know for many years whilst still a serving officer I was deeply and heavily involved in the Police Federation. I was also involved for much of my life with The Salvation Army and in both roles I was engaged in trying to help others. After retiring I worked for some years for NARPO and during that time I set up, for the first time, a system by which members could receive real help and guidance with their police related problems.
At the same time, in fact within weeks of retiring from the Police Service I was asked to become the Secretary of Dewsbury NARPO and although I had said I was done with committees I could not refuse and here I am many years later about to sign off.
I can say the Dewsbury Branch of NARPO has become very dear to me and the way in which you have all supported me through very difficult times is nothing short of fantastic.
When I retired the Branch Secretary was Granville Keighley and the Chairman was Harry Widdowson. Clearly Granville retired when I took over the reins but Harry remained in office for some time alongside me and I was so grateful for his support. Harry was a Police Sergeant who retired not too long after I joined the service but along with so many of his ilk he was a fine gentleman. I recently had the pleasure of attending at his Wife’s 90th birthday celebrations along with one or two others of the Branch.
Harry was succeeded by another fine gentleman and a true and good friend, Bill Vivian. I first met Bill when he was sent to Dewsbury as Uniform Inspector and he had the good fortune to be allocated to rota two. It was clear to me and everyone else who knew him we had a fine and fair man in charge of a group of what could be described as ‘unusual’ police officers.
Bill became a good friend to me along with Pat his wife and I was so glad of his support when he was Chairman of our Branch. His advice and decency shone through in everything he did or said.
The last person I want to speak of in this little self indulgent section is David Harrison our Treasurer. David and I joined the police at the same time. We did our exams, our interviews and were accepted on the same day but due to technical reasons I started a month before him. Another man who was and is entirely reliable who did his job within the Branch without fuss but also without blemish.
To all others who have fulfilled roles and indeed all the Branch members thank you and God Bless you all.
THE FUTURE
As you know I will act as Branch Secretary for the last time in June 2010 after which Kath Bainbridge will take over as Secretary. All I ask is that you offer all the same support as you have shown to me.
She will make mistakes but not as big as the ones I have made and from time to time you may not agree with her but she has given me an absolute assurance her only wish is to maintain the same friendly Branch whilst trying to encourage new members to not only join NARPO but also to attend at our meetings.
Kath is shortly moving house to the Isle of Skye but she will attend at all our meetings and sees no problem in fulfilling the role from that most beautiful place.
Please continue to remember Secretaries are also human and require support to carry out a voluntary role which so few want to carry out these days so, Good Luck Kath and remember the Branch members are your friends and will assist you in every way they can.
MEETING DATES FOR 2010
Tuesday 8 June 2010
Tuesday 7 September 2010
Tuesday 14 December 2010.
All meetings are at the Mirfield Constitutional Club at 7.30pm.
Please note the date contained on the hard copy of these notes which have been sent to all members contains an error. The date above for the September meeting is correct. It is NOT the 14 September.
Malcolm Hirst
Branch Secretary.
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