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 300 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 24th January, 2012
Branch Golf Outing
Monday 7 May 2012
Shawpark Golf Club, Alloa
Arrangements are now in place for the "Willie Wilson Shield" annual golf event. Players to report to venue at 0900hrs for the usual bacon roll and coffee, followed by draw for order of play. First tee-off will be at 1000hrs playing for the "Willie Wilson Shield", currently held by David Nolan. The format will be Stableford. At the conclusion of play a high tea will be provided and this will be followed by the presentation of prizes.
Retired officers who are not members of Central Branch are eligible to participate and would be warmly welcomed. It is very much hoped that interest will shown by some of our former colleagues who enjoy playing golf.
For further information please contact Central Branch Golf Convener, Harry Arbuckle, or Branch Secretary.
ANNUAL BRANCH FESTIVE LUNCH
On Sunday 15 January 2012, 56 members, friends and family enjoyed a festive lunch at the Woodside Hotel, Doune. The event, organised by Vice Chairman Jack McGregor, has become an annual fixture in the Branch social calendar and once again it was a resounding success. Following a magnificent meal, hotel proprietor, Suzanne Rae, was presented with an RPOAS plaque by the Vice Chairman in recognition of the establishment's warm hospitality towards the Branch.
SPRING LUNCH
The Spring Branch Lunch organised by Jim Hannah will take place at Stirling Golf Club on Thursday, 26 April 2012, Arrive from 12 noon for lunch at 12.30 p.m. As always, the event is open to members, family and friends. Please book early to ensure a place. Members will be responsible for paying their own meals on the day. Names to Secretary please.
January Newsletter
To view the latest Nesletter Click here
CHARITY FAMILY CONCERT IN AID OF THE CHARITY 'MARY'S MEALS'
Venue: Devonvale Hall, Tillicoultry at 8 p.m. on Friday, 17 February 2012
The Rotary Club of Alloa is staging a charity family concert in the Devonvale Hall, Tillicoultry at 8 p.m. (doors open 7.30 p.m) on Friday 17 February. The event features the internationally acclaimed Scottish group Gaberlunzie who will be supported by the Central Scotland Police Pipe Band. All proceeds from the event will be given over to the charity, MARY'S MEALS. There will be a raffle with some excellent prizes to be won. A bar will be available.
MARY'S MEALS is a Scottish based international movement that sets up school feeding projects in communities where poverty and hunger prevent children from gaining an education. MARY'S MEALS is a simple idea that works – by providing a daily meal in a place of education, chronically poor children are attracted to the classroom where they can gain a basic education that provides an escape route from poverty. The average cost to feed a child for a whole school year is in the region of £9.40.
Currently, MARY'S MEALS feeds over half a million children every single day, 365 days of the year!
An education can set a child free from poverty in adult life. And not only that child but their children too. To gain an education children first need to attend school and then be given the opportunity to learn. Mary’s Meals is not only feeding children, but it is also allowing the children to attend school and to be educated.
Because of the very generous sponsorship received, every single penny generated in ticket and raffle sales will be given over to Mary's Meals which does tremendous work internationally on a daily basis.
This family charity concert, which promises to be an evening filled with music and laughter, deserves as much support as possible. It promises to be a popular event which will appeal to a large number of people, not just because of the artists giving of their time, but because of the children who will benefit from its proceeds. Pre booked tickets, which are priced at £10 for adults and £8 concession, which includes the concert programme, can be obtained from Branch member Hector Nicolson.
A limited number of tickets will be on sale at the door on the night.
IN CELEBRATION OF OUR OLDER MEMBERS: GET TOGETHERS IN 2012
The Branch is fortunate to have so many older members who are fit and active and who enjoy nothing more than meeting up with old friends to reminisce about the good old days over a meal. The older age group are loyal supporters of the Branch outings and derive much pleasure from such events. We also acknowledge that some of our members of advancing years may not be able to participate in many of the social visits but nonetheless meeting up with old friends is important to them. In celebration of our older members, therefore, the Branch Committee agreed to organise two get togethers in 2012 and invitations have been posted out to 45 members offering them just such an opportunity to socialise with friends and former colleagues. To accommodate everyone in the best possible way, and to reduce travelling, two events have been arranged. Members of the Committee will be present at each function and will provide transport where required.
The first is a lunch at the Beancross Restaurant in Polmont on 22 March 2012 to which members in the Falkirk area have been invited. The second is a lunch at Stirling Golf Club on 29 March 2012 to cater for members in Stirling, Alloa and further north.
Lists of members attending each event will be circulated in late February and notification of travelling arrangements will be included.
Sincere thanks to member Brian Mulgrew who organised the Stirling Lunch through his Golf Club. Brian will sign members in on the day and will join the group for lunch.
Member Jim McKellar who actively supports our older and infirm members and kindly sends us an annual invitation for the Seagull Trust Cruise will join the lunch group at Beancross.
Branch Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the Branch Committee will take place at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, 23 February 2012 at Menstrie.
CHARITABLE DONATION TO STRATHCARRON HOSPICE
At the Branch AGM on 16 October 2011, Strathcarron Hospice was chosen as this year's charity. On 25 October 2011, Chairman Lance Rattray and Secretary/Treasurer Lesley Struth handed over a cheque for £500.00 to a delighted Angela Gillies, Fundraising Manager at Strathcarron.
Visit to CCTV Centre
On Thursday, 20 October 2011, 15 members of the Branch enjoyed a delicious lunch at Aldos prior to their visit to the Forth Valley CCTV Centre. Following a tour of the Control Room, there was the opportunity for questions over tea/coffee/biscuits. The photographs show members enjoying lunch, Committee Member Alan Blue presenting the manager of the Centre with a thank you card and box of biscuits, and the members attending the visit.
Branch AGM
Central Branch AGM was held at Police Headquarters, Stirling, on Sunday, 16 October 2011. Pictured following the meeting are new Life Members with their Certificates which were presented earlier by DCC Derek Penman, shown addressing the meeting. Life members pictured are: back row (left to right): Angus Smith, Bob Wallace, Davy Hume; front row( left to right): Roy Chalmers, Chairman Lance Rattray, Tom Nisbet.
2nd Forth Bridge Control Room Visit 4th October 2011
Another magnificent seven visited the Control Room of The Forth Bridge as arranged at 1100 hours Tuesday 4th October 2011. Central Branch members were delighted to welcome along Sheila Ross, Chair of Lothian & Borders Branch.
John Russell, the Operations Manager, gave us a very professional and detailed presentation with an overview of every aspect of the whole bridge procurement, maintenance and replacement process. We were given some incredible insights into the political and structural engineering aspects of decision making in relation to the road bridge and its replacement.
We were then given access to the Control Centre where we timed it perfectly to watch the police and bridge staff close the northbound carriageway, and then escort a 100 ton low loader carrying a wind generator generating unit, across the windy bridge. Gusts of up to 46 mph were recorded as we watched the proceedings! The police then returned to escort two further 80 ton loads across the bridge. John explained the process and admitted our timing was entirely down to chance!
John briefly explained the process of the busy Control Centre, before taking us back to the board room for the presentation of biscuits which allowed us to continue to watch an overview of the abnormal loads as they made their way onto and across the bridge. The road remained closed to northbound traffic throughout this process.
A meal at the Hawes Inn followed.
Days of Yore!!!
Member David Burgess, now resident in Spain, takes a trip down memory lane and remembers the days when he was a young Detective Constable......Saying nothing about that haircut!
FESTIVE LUNCH AT WOODSIDE HOTEL, DOUNE:
Jack McGregor has once again arranged for the Branch Festive Lunch to be held at the Woodside Hotel, Doune, on Sunday, 15 January 2012 at 12.30 p.m. Places are limited to 60. Names to secretary, please.
Three courses, followed by tea/coffee/mince pies will be available for the very reasonable cost of £13 per person.
The Branch Committee are most appreciative of all Jack's efforts in setting up this event which, if weather dictates, will, like this year, be postponed until suitable weather conditions return.
VISIT TO GLASGOW POLICE MUSEUM
On 1 September 2011 18 members of Central Branch visited the famous Glasgow Police Museum and were enthralled by curator Alastair Dinesmore's knowledgeable presentation. At the conclusion Life Member Allan Cassidy offered a most eloquent and fitting vote of thanks. If you have not yet visited this fine Museum, we can highly recommend it!
THE ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AT THE SCOTTISH POLICE MEMORIAL
The Annual Memorial Service took place at the Scottish Police College on Wednesday, 7 September 2011. Six members of Central Branch attended: Lesley Struth, Bill Duncanson, Jim Lindsay, Davie Findlay, Jim McKellar and Cameron Shanks.
Since 1770, 238 Scottish Police Officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. 2011 saw the 7th Anniversary Ceremony of the dedication and opening of the Scottish Police Memorial, which was opened by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal in 2004.
The Scottish Police Memorial, which is dedicated to the lasting memory of these officers, is located within the grounds of the Scottish Police College. The College has been at the heart of police training since 1954. All officers who have been part of the service since that time have passed through the College gates during their career making the grounds a fitting place for this memorial. The College grounds provide a quiet place for loved ones to remember and reflect upon the contribution made by their friends and family members whilst also serving as a place of training for those who have joined the Scottish Police Service family.
The founding committee of the Scottish Police Memorial Trust consisted of: Christine Fulton, James McNulty and Stuart McAllistair. A short time later they were joined by representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, the Scottish Police Federation and the Scottish Police College.
A Memorial Book is held within Tulliallan Castle, with an entry dedicated to each of the officers named on the Memorial. Family and friends are encouraged to visit the Memorial, which is generally open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At the 2011 Memorial Service, poignantly, the Lone Piper's Lament was performed by Stewart Reid, the 20 year old grandson of Joseph Drake, an officer of Central Scotland Police who was tragically killed on duty in 1967. Sadly, Stewart never had the opportunity to know his grandfather but his proud grandmother, Mrs Betty Drake, was present at the Service with other members of her family.
Inter-Branch Golf Match
On 7 September Dumfries and Galloway Branch hosted an enjoyable day of golf at Dumfries and County Golf Club involving colleagues from the home branch, from Central Branch and from Morcambe and Lancashire Branch. D&G Chairman Neil Massey, who planned and organised the event, welcomed everyone.
A fine afternoon of golf was played in changing and challenging conditions but was enjoyed by all. It was followed by a delicious dinner at the Golf Club. The Club Captain Stewart McCulloch, a member of the D&G Branch, also participated and was warmly thanked for allowing the Branch to host the match at the magnificent Club.
Chairman Neil finally presented prizes to the winning players. Everyone agreed it had been an excellent day and looked forward to future such events.
THE GEORGE THOMSON TROPHY GOLF OUTING AT ST FILLANS
On 5 September 2011, with Strathearn bathed in sunshine and looking at its absolute best, ten members competed for the George Thomson Trophy, with one guest player also taking part. It was a great day with the usual camaraderie and golf played in the right manner, meaning everyone enjoyed the event. Catering at the clubhouse was up to the usual standard with very pleasant service.
The winner was Harry Arbuckle meaning he retained the trophy for the third year in succession. Runner up was Graham Moodie, with Roy Mason in third place. Nearest the pin prize was awarded to Les Robertson. There were no losers on this day where excellent company, fine weather and an ideal venue made us all winners.
The group were pleased to welcome along Andrew and Duncan Thomson representing the Thomson family who presented the prizes. Tribute was paid to George for setting up the golf section which has encouraged members to participate for the fun of the day and the chance to spend it with old friends.
VISIT TO DRIVING DIVISION - SCOTTISH POLICE COLLEGE
On Tuesday 23 August 2011 ten members of Central Branch made a nostalgic return visit to the Motor Driving Division at Tulliallan. In the case of member Bill Scarlett it had been over 48 years ago since he last attended the College on an advanced driving course.
Our host for the evening was driving instructor Sergeant Keith Campbell who provided us with an interesting insight into the driver training and responsibilities of the present day Driving Division. It was generally agreed that not much had changed apart from technological improvements in the vehicles used. Listening to Sergeant Campbell it was clear that the Advanced Driving Course was still as hard as it was 40 plus years ago.
There is little doubt that the visit and tour of the Driving Division including a look at the various types of cars used brought back many happy and probably in some instances not so happy memories to some of our members. Members were subsequently taken on a demonstration drive by a member of staff who impressed on us that he would for the purposes of this particular drive be keeping within the prescribed speed limits. Despite keeping to the prescribed speed limits it was clearly demonstrated how the vehicle could still be driven safely yet still make maximum progress.
At the end of the visit which all members thoroughly enjoyed Sergeant Campbell on behalf of the Road Policing Unit was presented with an RPOAS plaque by Branch member Brian Mulgrew.
Stirling and Clackmannan Force Football Team - circa 1970:
ASDA Visit
19 members of Central Branch recently visited Asda Distribution Centre in Grangemouth.
Sunday, 15 January 2012 at 12.30 p.m.
Organised by Vice Chairman Jack McGregor
There are no spaces left for Festive Lunch being held on 15 January 2012. A reserve list has been started in the event of any cancellations.
Back Row (left to right)
Willie Porter, George Morrison, Bob Kelso, Danny Murphy, Duncan Brown, Jim Winning, John Nellies, George Shanks, Jim Johnstone.
Front Row
Ronnie Crumley, Vinnie Watson, John Anderson, Bob McLean, Campbell Millar, Jim Dow.
Vice Chairman, Jack McGregor presenting Asda Training Officer with an Association plaque to mark the Branch's visit
Members relaxing over lunch following the visit.
Seagull Trust Cruise
On Wednesday 6 July 2011, the more senior members of the Branch enjoyed a sail on the Union Canal at Falkirk courtesy of the Seagull Trust Charity. The party were waved off at 10.30 a.m. by Jim McKellar, Branch member and Seagull Trust volunteer who arranged for the trip, and Branch Secretary Lesley Struth, who supplied a packed lunch for the group. Tea, coffee and biscuits were also supplied by the crew during the sail. Despite the weather, the sail was enjoyed by all aboard. After going down on the wheel the boat berthed in the basin at the wheel for about an hour and a half, where some of the party explored the area while others remained on the boat and enjoyed talking about old times and, in some cases, very old times.
After the return to the boathouse having gone up on the wheel and back along the canal the crew were thanked for their hospitality and the members then retired to the Coppertop Restaurant nearby, where they were again joined by Jim McKellar, Lesley Struth and Branch member Lynn McQuaker.The company enjoyed an excellent meal courtesy of Branch member Jack Marshall who had taken time out from his hectic schedule to relax with former colleagues. Following the meal, a presentation of donations collected was made by Life Member Bob Taylor to Jim McKellar, representing the Seagull Trust Charity. This was a truly memorable trip, especially for the first timers and the Branch's thanks must go to Lesley Struth and Jim McKellar for their sterling efforts in organising the event and a special thanks to Jack Marshall for his generosity.
JIM HANNAH
INTER-BRANCH GOLF MATCH
The match between Central and Tayside Branches at the Queens Course, Gleneagles took place on Monday, 4 July 2011, and was an unqualified success. The weather was wonderfully sunny and warm, the golf course in magnificent condition and the company first class. At the conclusion of the game, members adjourned to Auchterarder Golf club for a meal where they enjoyed first class service and good food - an excellent conclusion to the day.
The match was won by the Central Branch team, but that took second place to the friendship between the two teams. The return match has already been settled on the first Monday in July 2012, at a venue to be arranged.
Central Branch golfers are most grateful to the Head Golf Professional at Gleneagles, Russell Smith, whose assistance with arrangements contributed so greatly to making the day an outstanding success.
The Photograph shows the Central Branch Golfers before the match - Davie Findlay, Harry Arbuckle, Graham Moodie, Davy Nolan, Brian Samson, Fred Lowe, Roy Mason, Malcolm Roy