We were formed in 1947 and we celebrated our Diamond Jubilee in 2007.
It is known that the founder member and first Secretary was in 1947, Thomas Joseph kennedy, an ex Inspector at Matlock and he continued in this office until 27th March, 1963. The Chairman was W. B. Clews and both worked diligently towards an efficient branch.
On 6th february 1956 the first invitation was extended to the Chief Constable, W. E. Pitts, to attend a meeting on sunday 18th March, which he did. He was invited to become President of the branch to which he agreed and the practice continues to this day.
Our present Chairman is Len Smith who was elected in 1987 and the present Secretary, M. North is standing down and his place will be taken by the Treasurer, Frank Gregory. Malcolm North has been Secretary since 1995.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
I have the honour to present my twenty-first Annual Report.
Once again it has been a very busy year for the Branch, which celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. In addition to our Committee Meetings, five coach trips were organised although two had to be cancelled due to lack of support, one being an afternoon mystery tour and tea, the other to Blackpool Illuminations. Two Social Evenings were held, one at Buxton Conservative Club in August and the other at the Kedleston Hotel, both were well supported. I was pleased to welcome the Deputy Chief Constable, Alan Goodwin to the Buxton function and the Derby Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Jack Russell and his wife, to the one held at the Kedleston Hotel. Four members of the Leicestershire Branch also attended the Derby function.
The Annual General Meeting was held at Police Headquarters on 29 April and attended by 71 members and guests. Our President and Chief Constable, David Coleman attended and spoke about the Force in general and his impending retirement. Members from Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire attended with their wives. Michael Thornton, the Association Chief Executive addressed the meeting about the format of the Association Annual Conference, injury award review and the recruitment of members. During the meeting David Coleman presented Jim Boston with his Life Membership Certificate, awarded for his long and valued service to the Branch and Association, Jim has been Assistant Secretary since 1997. Barbara, his wife, was presented with a basket of flowers. Michael Thornton presented Jim with the Association plaque. Those present then enjoyed a tea prepared by Maureen Handford, Margaret Roddis, Ruth Watson and Pat Gregory.
The Branch Lunch at Horsley Lodge in May was well attended and our President, David Coleman, attended with his wife Hilary. David spoke about his time as Chief Constable and his ‘Chief on the Beat’ walk through the County.
On Sunday 29 July I attended the Annual Service of Remembrance held at the National Arboretum, Alrewas
A Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Dinner was held at Horsley Lodge on 21 June and attended by 88 members, guests and their wives; my daughter, Margaret, accompanied me. It was the first time the Branch had held a formal evening occasion and I thank Malcolm and Frank for making most of the arrangements. It was very encouraging to see so many wearing evening jackets with one member, Harry Spencer, wearing his kilt. The ladies were also attired in lovely dresses and outfits. These comments are borne out by the photographs taken by Kay Martin, by kind permission of Alan Goodwin, Deputy Chief Constable and one of our Vice Presidents. Guests at the Dinner were David Anderton, President of the Association and his wife Joan. David gave a very amusing reply to the toast ‘Our Guests’, which was proposed by myself. David Coleman, President of the Branch and his wife Hilary, David proposed the toast to the Branch. Other guests were Janet Birkin, Chair of the Police Authority and her husband Roger, Duncan Davis Chair of the Joint Branch Board of the Derbyshire Branch of the Police Federation and his wife June and Dorothy Wright, the former Force Welfare Officer and her husband Peter. The Toastmaster was David Collyer-Bacon who is one of our members. At the end of the meal, a cake made by Margaret Roddis was served to those present.
On Sunday 29 July I attended the Annual Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, for relatives of officers killed on duty; I laid a wreath on behalf of our Association.
Our President, David Coleman and his wife Hilary hosted a Dinner for the Branch Committee members and their wives at Horsley Lodge in August, in celebration of our Diamond Jubilee. At the function, I presented David with a Royal Crown Derby Plate on behalf of the Branch to mark his retirement from the force and a basket of flowers to Hilary. I also presented David with donations of £1,500 from the Mutual Welfare Fund and £250 from the Branch in aid of his ‘Walk on the Beat’
On 13 September, accompanied by my daughter, Margaret, I was privileged to attend a dinner held at Chatsworth House to celebrate 150 years of Policing in Derbyshire and the retirement of the Chief Constable. The dinner and entertainment was excellent as was the champagne reception in the House.
124 members, wives and guests attended the Christmas Lunch held at Horsley Lodge on 12 December. Our chief guest was Mick Creedon, accompanied by his wife Sally; I was pleased to welcome them to their first attendance at a NARPO occasion since his appointment as Chief Constable. Other guests were Janet Birkin, Chair to the Police Authority, Dorothy Wright and Kay Martin. Mick spoke about the Force and his support of the Association.
With the retirement during the year of Chris Cragon, the Branch has two new Vice Presidents, ACC Peter Goodman and ACC Dee Collins; Dee will be the first lady Vice President the Branch has had. We wish them both a long association with the Force and look forward to meeting them at our Branch functions.
Throughout the year, support for the Branch has continued unabated from our President, Mick Creedon and the two Vice Presidents and our former President, David Coleman. We are indebted to them and all members of the force, both regular officers and civilian members, from whom we have sought assistance and use of facilities. Their help has greatly assisted the smooth running of the Branch.
In my capacity as a member of the National Executive I have attended meetings of other branches including, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, as well as East Midlands Regional meetings. I also serve on the Conference Arrangements Committee and the Misconduct Sub-Committee. On a Branch level, I continue to address officers on Resettlement Courses.
To mark our Diamond Jubilee, a donation of £300 was sent to the County Air Ambulance. This was money raised by two of our raffles with a small top up from Branch Funds.
After over 13 years service as Branch Secretary, Malcolm has decided that he is not seeking re-election at the Annual General Meeting in April 2008. Dorothy Wright, the former Force Welfare Officer, volunteered to take on the position but due to recent unforeseen circumstances she finds that she is now unable to do so. We are desperately seeking someone to take on the position of Secretary and if anyone is interested please either contact myself or Malcolm as soon as possible.
A special thank you to our Branch officers and Committee members and their wives for ensuring the smooth running of the Branch, also to those members who take time to visit sick colleagues both in hospital and at their homes; I know it is very much appreciated.
My final thanks go to members who have supported our functions and activities and who have donated raffle prizes. I hope you will continue to give your support and encourage others who have not already done so, to give us a try. If you know anyone who is not a member try and get them to join the Association.
Len
