Central Branch
Secretary: Lesley Struth
e-mail central@rpoas.org.ukCENTRAL BRANCH
The Central Branch of the RPOAS represents the retired police members of the former Stirling and Clackmannan Police Force and the current Central Scotland Police as well as members who served in other forces but now reside in the area.
The Branch has a membership of approximately 280 members, about 30 of whom are over 80 years of age. The Branch has a very vibrant and active social calendar which includes regular social outings and visits to places of interest. This aspect of the Branch is well supported by its members.
It covers the local authority areas of Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils and historically is steeped in history with many places of interest including the Battle of Bannockburn site, Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument together with stunning countryside and the splendour of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, a rich industrial heritage, tourist attractions such as the Falkirk Wheel, a major university and Further Education campuses as well as one of the largest petrochemical complexes in Europe at Grangemouth, a major seaport, vibrant town and city shopping centres, three prisons and major motorways and trunk routes.
Obituaries Click Here
Updated 9th March, 2010
Future outing for Branch members
Another Seagull Trust Cruise for Life Members from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Thursday, 2 September 2010.
Seagull Trust Cruise for Life Members
1 June 2010
The Life Members of the Branch will enjoy a 3 hour cruise sailing on the Seagull Trust Boat from Falkirk to Redding and return on Tuesday, 1 June 2010, from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. This has been kindly offered by Jim McKellar, Branch member and Seagull Trust volunteer. Also having the opportunity to enjoy the sail will be some of our less mobile members. Hopefully a good appetite will result in a meal at a nearby restaurant to round off the day
Please contact the social convener if you fit the criteria and wish to participate
VISIT TO THE ROAD POLICING UNIT, POLICE H.Q. STIRLING
THURSDAY, 10 JUNE 2010 - 10 A.M. TO 12 NOON
Following our two successful visits to the Road Policing Unit at Police H.Q. Stirling in April 2009, Chief Inspector Donald McMillan and his staff have extended a further invitation to the Branch to have the opportunity to see how the Unit with all its high tech equipment performs in the world of road policing today. This is very much a hands on visit with access to the armed response vehicles, the safety camera van, and the patrol cars with traffic officers demonstrating and offering a comprehensive presentation on how each piece of kit operates and its place in everyday road traffic work.
The previous visits proved very popular. If you are interested in attending, please contact the social convener.
VISIT THE FIRE STATION AND POLICE OFFICE BASED WITHIN EDINBURGH AIRPORT
Central Branch members braved the elements - in some cases digging themselves out of their igloos - to keep a date with Fire Station, Police Station, and Special Branch staff based within Edinburgh Airport on Saturday, 27 February 2010.
Fireman Sam didn't have a look in as members indulged their adventurous side donning the gear and manning the engine before moving on to the big guns at the cop shop. On a serious note, much insight was gained into the many challenges facing those tasked with keeping our airports and seaports safe from the ever present global threats.
Once again, members are indebted to Jim Hannah for organising such a worthwhile visit, a follow up to the previous one in 2008.
BRANCH LUNCH AT THE DUTCH INN ON THURSDAY, 18 MARCH 2010
Members are reminded of the Branch Lunch at the Dutch Inn on Thursday, 18 March 2010 at 12.30 p.m, which is being organised by Jim Hannah. There are now 54 on list. Could members advise by 8 March at the latest if they wish to attend.. This is an event where members are welcome to bring along a friend or family member. Please the Social Convener know if you wish to attend.
Visit To Celtic Park
Names are being collected for visit to Celtic Football Stadium at Parkhead on a Sunday in April/May 2010. Members are welcome to bring along a friend or family member if they so wish. Members will be individually responsible for paying any entrance fee.
Branch Meeting
The next meeting of the Branch Committee will be held at Menstrie on Thursday, 10th June 2010, at 7 p.m
New Larbert Police Station
On Tuesday, 26th January, 2010, 21 members visited the new Larbert Police Office which covers Stenhousemuir and Denny areas. All in all the experience was quite an eye opener and most unlike the police offices that our age group were posted to when we joined. All was very high tech. and 'State of the Art' and NO CELLS!!!, unless you count the dog kennels, which were equipped with more comfortable beds than I've ever seen in a police cell. The dogs even have their own regular shower unit.
After the tour we were treated to coffee, tea and cakes. Vice Chairman Jack McGregor presented an Association plaque to Chief Superintendent Gordon McKenzie to mark the Branch visit. Our host thanked us for attending and showing such interest. A second date is already in place for a further visit by other members of the Branch (See below)
Visit to New Larbert Police Station
A second date has been arranged for Branch members to attend the new facilities at Larbert Police Office, following the successsful visit on 26 January 2010. The next visit will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 23 March 2010. Any member wishing to attend should contact the social convener as soon as possible. The numbers will be restricted to 25
CENTRAL SCOTLAND POLICE RETIRED STAFF LUNCH
The attached photos were taken at the retired staff New Year Lunch which took place today at Police Headquarters, Stirling. We are grateful to the Chief Constable for hosting the event and to the entertainers for making it a lovely day
Central Branch Members/Friends/Family/Partners Lunch
Central Branch Members/Friends/Family/Partners Lunch will take place at the Dutch Inn, Skinflats, at 12.30 p.m. on Thursday, 18 March 2010. All members are welcome to come along on their own, or can invite a partner, family member, or friend.
Please contact the Social Convener as soon as possible if you wish to attend.
VISIT TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL EDINBURGH ON 8 DECEMBER
Some photographs from the Branch Visit to ATC on the evening of 8 December 2009. Again, a worthwhile trip, thoroughly enjoyed by all. A third visit is on the cards for February time 2010
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OUTCOME OF ADJOURNED ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
At today's adjourned Annual General Meeting the motion proposing a change to the Branch Election procedures was withdrawn. Following an election conducted by retired member William Wilson ex Chief Constable the following Committee members were elected.
Chairman - Lance Rattray
Vice-Chairman - Jack McGregor
Secretary/Treasurer/Social Convener - Lesley Struth
Committee:
Thomas Rintoul, Leslie Robertson, Ken Pratt, James Hannah, William Duncanson, Roy Mason
Lance Rattray
Chairman
Visit to INEOS (B.P.) Grangemouth
Members of the Branch had Lunch in Grangemouth on 12 November 2009, during which Branch member Jim McKellar of The Seagull Trust was presented with a donation for the Trust following the Cruise which he organised for the over 80's in October.
After Lunch, members had a most informative visit to INEOS (B.P.) Grangemouth. The visit was arranged by Branch member Bill Porter through his son, Jim, who works at B.P.
The history of Grangemouth starts in the mid 19th Century when in 1850, Glasgow scientist Dr James "Paraffin" Young took out a patent for 'treating bituminous coals to obtain paraffin therefrom". Grangemouth is one of INEOS' 70 manufacturing sites around the globe. They produce over 9 million litres of clean fuels every day and around 2 million tonnes of chemical product every year. The site provides aviation fuel for Scotland's major airports, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick. Grangemouth also despatches a dedicated train load of aviation fuel for the Rolls Royce engine testing facility in Derby. The site employs 1350 workers, and occupies 1700 acres of land - the equivalent of around 640 football pitches. Road tankers leaving the site's tanker terminal typically carry around 35,000 litres of fuel - that's enough fuel to keep an average car going for 200,000 miles. There are over 4,000 kilometres of pipework on the site at Grangemouth. If they were laid end to end, the pipes would stretch from Edinburgh to Nice. INEOS is one of the largest chemical companies in the world.
The company were at pains to emphasise that they have no control over rising fuel costs at the pumps!
(Photographs show Branch member Jim McKellar receiving donation on behalf of The Seagull Trust from life member Bill Porter, George Grant of INEOS receiving RPOAS plaque from Bill Porter, the group attending INEOS Visit, and father and son,Bill and Jim Porter).
VISIT TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER, EDINBURGH AIRPORT
On Tuesday 10 November 2009 8 members of the Central Branch of the RPOAS visited the Air Traffic Control complex located at Edinburgh Airport. The structure (shown below) which resembles an upturned cone stands some 57 metres high and was completed in September 2005. The design and architecture of the building has been recognised by an award in recognition of its excellence in design and construction.
The structure houses the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) which is responsible along with other similar bases in the UK with providing air traffic control services to aircraft flying in UK airspace.
The visit was hosted by Gordon Sandford, Operations Trainer and his assistant Colin Rodger who showed members around the facilities including visits to the radar operations area and the state of the art control tower or visual control room at the top of the tower where members admired the view of the airport and its environs. At the end of the visit Branch member Bill Strang proposed a vote of thanks and presented Mr Sandford with an RPOAS plaque in recognition of their appreciation. Some photographs of the visit are shown below.
SCOTTISH POLICE BOWLING (RETIRED MEMBERS) ASSOCIATION
DATES AND VENUES
Sundays 2pm - 6pm
25 April 2010 Venue to be arranged in Fife (Fife Ex Presidents Association)
2 May 2010 Auchterarder Bowling Club (Auchterarder Bowling Club)
16 May 2010 Coatbridge Bowling Club (Coatbridge & District Bowling Club)
13 June 2010 B.A. Bowling Club Bainsford (B.A. Bowling Club)
4 July 2010 Dumfries Bowling Club (Dumfries & District Ex Presidents)
18 July 2010 Falkirk Bowling Club (Falkirk Bowling Club)
8 August 2010 Thornton Bowling Club (Thornton Bowling Club)
29 August 2010 Airthrey Spa Bowling Club (Airthrey Spa Bowling Club)
12 September 2010 Bathgate Bowling Club (Bathgate Bowling Club)
Please note that all of the above dates are provisional until Match Secretary of each Club confirms the summer schedule.
Any retired officer interested can contact:
Donald Campbell or Ken Pratt (tel nos available from Social Convener) at least 7 days before any of the dates listed.
Transport can be arranged to the venues shown if so required.
Overseas Trip to World War 1 / World War 2 / War Graves
It is hoped to arrange an overseas trip to World War 1 / World War 2 / War Graves during Autumn 2010. This event is in the very early planning stages and no specific location has been decided upon as yet. If any member is interested in taking part in the trip, their views and suggestions as to destination and itinerary would be welcomed. Please make contact with Lesley Struth on starjasmine.s@googlemail.com
Golfing Offer
Harry Arbuckle can offer groups of 3 members the opportunity to play a round of golf with him at Gleneagles Hotel Golf Course at a special discount price of £100 for the group (normal cost £250). It is a requirement of this offer that Harry is a member of the party. In effect this will mean a round of golf at Gleneagles for less than £34 each.