New Photo Album

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Last Updated on Monday, 16 December 2024 16:40

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NEW PHOTO ALBUM

Due to technical issues, it has not been possible to post photos onto the Photo Album section and despite numerous attempts to rectify the problem, the problem has not been fixed.

Therefore, the DPP NARPO website now has two Photo Albums.

To access photos posted on the website from October 2021 onwards go to the Menu Bar and click on NEW PHOTO ALBUM.

To access photos posted on the website pre October 2021, go to the Menu Bar and click on OLD PHOTO ALBUM.

2024 NARPO NEWSLETTER
The latest branch newsletter can be found by going to the Members Only section and downloading the document as a PDF file. 
The newsletter has been emailed to NARPO HQ at Wakefield who will arrange for it to be printed and posted to members without an email address.

ALPHA LIMA HAS A NEW USE

Many thanks to Gwyndaf Prosser of Llanelli for the below photos of the former police station in Waunlanyrafon which is now the Llanelli Free Evangelical Church.

The building was sold in February 2024 after the force relocated to the new purpose built Custody Suite and Policing base in Dafen (below) - meaning the town centre station was no longer operationally required.

NORTH POWYS CHRISTMAS LUNCH
The annual Christmas lunch was held on Tuesday 3rd December, at the Lakeside Golf Club and Restaurant, Garthmyl.  Twenty six members sat down to the usual high quality food on offer.  

Left:  Brian Randle, Bill Rowbottom, Peter Davies, John Williams, Dave Crees, Phil Hopkins, Gill Hopkins, Edwina Bloomfield, Bob Evans, Karen Belford, Bernie Belford, Myra Williams, Joyce Davies, Meudwen Rowbottom, Trudy Randle
Right: Linda Brennan, Jane White, Grace Blanchard, Gwilym Rippon, Kevin Scourfield, Marcus Wright, Louise Wright (partial), Keith Blanchard, Marshall White, Chris Brennan
It was the first such event for three couples - recently retired officers Marcus and Louise Wright, and two couples who have moved into the area having served in other forces, Bernie and Karen Belford and Jane and Marshall White.  
As usual, stories were swapped - in some instances the same tales rehashed! The thanks of all those present were extended to Derek Bloomfield for organising the afternoon. No one saw any need to change the venue, so next year’s event has already been booked for Tuesday 2nd December.

WORLD CHAMPION AT CHARLIE PAPA
Snooker fans will be saddened to learn that former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths of Llanelli has died aged 77. Terry won the 1979 World Championship beating Dennis Taylor in the final, he also won the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982 to complete snooker's 'Triple Crown'.
 

The programme with pen pictures of Terry's opponents

On Wednesday 11th June 1980 around 60 spectators crammed into the snooker room at Pembroke Dock Police Station to watch the proud Welshman take on eight challengers. Needless to say, Terry was on top form and the ‘Super Eight’ could only muster a total of 108 points between them!
Two trophies, donated by Owen Durbridge, were presented to the player who achieved the highest break against Terry and also for the highest score against the maestro. Owen went home with BOTH trophies!
Terry ended the evening with a variety of trick shots and posed for photographs with his fans. It was certainly a night to remember as its not every day a World Champion visits Charlie Papa.
Our sincere condolences to Terry's family, he was a perfect gentleman who was loved and respected by everyone in the sport.

REMOVAL OF PHOTOS FROM WEBSITE

The branch executive has decided to remove photographs of Huw Edwards from the website after the former broadcaster pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children.

The photographs were taken in 2018 when he compered the 50th anniversary event at FHQ.

DPP NARPO NEWSLETTER

The autumn / winter issue of the newsletter can be found by going to the Members Only section of the website.

You can read the newsletter as a PDF document or as a magazine by clicking on the links.

For those without an email address, a paper copy of the newsletter will be posted to them from NARPO HQ at Wakefield.

DRAMATIC RESCUE INVOLVING MID-WALES CONSTABULARY OFFICER

An amazing story from the Powys County Times archives here - in June 1958 a policeman, fireman and two quarry workers pulled off a dramatic rescue after two teenagers were trapped in a cave in Criggion Quarry, near Welshpool.

Farm workers Roy Grafton and Douglas Lowe were heard singing the hymn ‘Lead, Kindly Light’ after being trapped in the cave 700 ft up the Berwyns. The RAF were scrambled but ultimately stood down as the boys were saved thanks to the efforts of their heroes and just in time for Mr Grafton’s parents who arrived in the village as the rescue was taking place. (The identity of the officer is unknown).

NINETY NOT OUT!!

One of our oldest Branch members, Bryan Bell (Rtd. DC397) from Welshpool, celebrated his 90th birthday with a surprise party held at the Raven Inn, Welshpool, on Sunday 7th July, along with family members, friends and retired colleagues. 

Family members included his brother and sister from north Lancashire, and his son Alan, who is a retired South Wales officer.

Bryan, known to many as Dinger, joined the Mid-Wales Constabulary and served at various stations within the D Division area, including Brecon (Traffic) and retired as a Detective Constable at Welshpool

Rear (L to R): Joyce Davies, Barry Hicks, Roger Eagles, Dave Crees, Gwilym Rippon, Keith Blanchard, Dai Richards, Phil Hopkins, Bob Evans, Linda Brennan Front: Peter Davies, Bryan Bell, John Williams, Jan Eagles, Grace Blanchard, Chris Brennan

Left: Latecomers, Howard Jones and Mike Denyard.

Right: Bryan pictured at rear of Welshpool Police Station in the early 80s with TW Cliff Lloyd and PC / PS Clive Cowey.

FOND FAREWELL TO MILFORD HAVEN POLICE STATION

At the end of September 2023 a celebration was held to commemorate the closure of Milford Haven Police Station. During the afternoon, many NARPO members and officers, support staff and volunteers (pictured below) enjoyed reminiscing about their time at Charlie Mike.

In August it was announced that the Police Station situated in Charles Street would be sold with staff relocating to offices at Cedar Court, Milford Haven.The building first opened for business in 1962 as part of the Pembrokeshire Police building programme.