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 29th July, 2010
Loud Noises, Jet Fuel Fumes But No Bollywood Stardom
On 27 July 2010, 19 members of Central Branch visited 111 (Fighter) Squadron at RAF Leuchars in Fife with many able to travel in a pair of People Carriers provided by Jack Marshall who was unable to attend personally because of Court commitments but whose support was greatly appreciated.
111 Squadron is currently the only combat flying unit based at Leuchars and is the last in the Royal Air Force to fly the Panavia Tornado F.3 which it is expected to retire in the spring of next year by when, defence review and budgetary cuts permitting, it will have been replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon of 6 Squadron. The squadron operates from the Hardened Aircraft Shelter (HAS) complex on the south side of the airfield and is entrusted with Air Policing the northern sector of United Kingdom Air Defence region for which four fully armed aircraft are available and often called upon 24 hours a day 365 days a year on Quick Reaction Alert or ‘Q’.
The visit was hosted by Chief Technician (Flight Sergeant) ‘Fraz’ Cunningham a Rectification Controller who coordinates the servicing, necessary maintenance and availability of aircraft for both ‘Q’ and the daily flying programme. The group was met at the Main Guardroom where all the necessary paperwork and passes were dealt with very cheerfully and efficiently and then drove to the squadron site via the northern side of the airfield. The temporary postponement of a live firing exercise and the need to deal with the armed aircraft involved slightly altered the original plans for the visit but during our two hours on base we had the opportunity to see a Tornado F.3 being prepared for a sortie as well as to examine another and the HAS it was housed in.
With everyone duly equipped with ear defenders Fraz talked us through, as far as was possible only feet away from a pair of jet engines, the procedures being followed by the air and ground crew as a Tornado F.3 was prepared for flight to the point where both engines were running, cockpit canopy lowered and control surfaces being tested. It was then that ground crew discovered a fluid leak from the engine bay and the aircraft was quickly closed down. The problem was traced to a loose clamp in the hydraulic system which is a nuisance when driving but potentially catastrophic in flight, however with no damage caused the repair would be carried out that night and the aircraft flying again next day.
We then moved into one of the HAS and were given a very comprehensive and close-up tour of the specially marked squadron flagship inside. As well as explaining different features of the aircraft including the cockpit Fraz also spoke about life on the squadron and with the Tornado F.3 including Cold War operations from HAS such as the one we were in under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare conditions as well as during the 2003 Gulf War. During this stage of the visit a pair of aircraft which had taken-off while we were being processed at the guardroom taxied past us as they returned from their sortie.
The visit concluded with thanks being expressed to Chief Tech. Cunningham and to the unit Executive Officer, Squadron Leader Rob Laidlar, who accepted a RPOAS plaque on behalf of 111 Squadron. Our journey out along the southern perimeter road and across the main runway to the main gate also completed what had been a complete circuit of the Leuchars perimeter. Sadly our services were NOT called upon as extras to perform an elaborate group dance routine by the ‘Bollywood’ film crew who were filming in the former 43 Squadron HAS site on the opposite side of the airfield.
VISIT TO NEW HOSPITAL BY BRANCH MEMBERS
On Monday 26 July 2010, 10 members of Central Branch were given a conducted tour of the new Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert which is due to open in early August. It is the largest NHS contract ever awarded in Scotland, costing around £300m and provides 860 beds and day care spaces. It has 16 operating theatres and 25 wards and also includes the UKs first robotic supply and delivery system.
Suffice to say the members involved, who in recent months have been instrumental in visiting sick Branch members in hospitals in Stirling and Falkirk were suitably impressed by the new hospital and its excellent facilities. It is to be hoped that it will be a long time before any of our members have to experience its services and facilities first hand.
George Thomson Golf Outing
The annual George Thomson Golf Outing will be held on 6 September at Muthill. The morning kicks off at 9.15 a.m. - 9.30 a.m. with the customary bacon roll and coffee and draw for play.
Lunch will be around 1.30 p.m.
George has been invited along to present the winner's plate. Any member wishing to participate or simply go along as a spectator and join the group for lunch is asked to get in touch with the golf outings co-rdinator, Harry Arbuckle. Traditionally this event is viewed as one of the highlights of the golfing calendar and a good day is had by all.
SCOTTISH POLICE BOWLING (RETIRED MEMBERS) ASSOCIATION
Please see the News Page for the Summer 2010 Outdoor Fixtures.
Any retired officer wanting information about the Association can contact:
Donald Campbell or Ken Pratt (tel nos available from Social Convener)
Transport can be arranged to the venues shown if so required.
TOUR OF THE NEW HOSPITAL FACILITY AT LARBERT
Prior to the official opening of the new hospital at Larbert in August 2010, a group of members who are volunteer visitors to sick members of the Branch will tour the facilities. This visit has been arranged for Monday, 26 July 2010. All members involved have been advised.
BRANCH VISIT - LEUCHARS: July 2010 - (FULL)
One of our members has obtained permission for a group of retired members to visit 111(Fighter) Squadron at RAF Leuchars at 1 pm on Tuesday, 27 July.
111 Squadron is currently the last operator of the Tornado F.3 air defence fighter which is due to be retired from service in the spring of 2011 at which time the squadron will disband. It is hoped that the visit will include an opportunity to examine an F.3, with input from aircrew on the role of the squadron, and, if possible, a visit the Northern QRA facility and its fully armed aircraft on standby.
VISIT TO THE SCOTTISH POLICE COLLEGE ON WEDNESDAY, 25 AUGUST 2010 AT 10.30 A.M.
Branch members will visit Tulliallan for the third consecutive year on Wednesday, 25 August 2010. The visit will take the format of a presentation, tour, and lunch, with the opportunity to visit the Scottish Police Memorial situated within the College grounds. Any member wishing to attend should contact the social convener.
Restricted to 20 members.
Seagull Trust Cruise for Life Members
2 September 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 Thursday 2 September 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
FORTH PORTS AUTHORITY VISIT
Due to the popularity of this venue, a second date has been arranged for 1400 hours on Tuesday, 14 September 2010. A maximum of ten members may attend. Please contact the social convener to confirm your interest if you applied previously for a place.
Branch Lunch
The September Branch Lunch for members/partners/friends will take place at Braehead Golf Club, Alloa, on 23 September 2010: 12 noon for 12.30 p.m.
Names to Secretary Please
PRESENTATION BY SCENES OF CRIME MANAGER - CENTRAL SERVICE
CENTRAL SCOTLAND POLICE - RANDOLPHFIELD, STIRLING
THURSDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2010: 3 p.m. - 4.30 p.m.
One of the Crime Scene Managers, Police Headquarters, Stirling, will give a presentation for retired members within the Lecture Theatre, Police Headquarters, Stirling.
The presentation will last approximately one hour with the opportunity for questions and a chat afterwards.
This promises to be an interesting and informative visit. The event has been restricted to twenty members, and there is suitable access for wheelchair users.
Please contact the social convener as soon as possible if you wish to attend as spaces are limited.
BRANCH VISIT TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AT EDINBURGH AIRPORT (Full)
The Branch has been offered two visits to the NATS Centre (Air Traffic Control) at Edinburgh Airport on Tuesday 19 and Thursday 21 October 2010 - meeting there at 6:30 p.m. This is an extremely interesting and informative visit and members will be shown all aspects of the air traffic control operations including the Control Tower.
June Newsletter
To view the June Newsletter Click Here
VISIT TO ROAD POLICING UNIT
On Thursday 10 June 2010,18 members of the Branch, including 12 ex Traffic Patrol Officers, paid a visit to the Force Road Policing Unit at Headquarters. Members were welcomed by the unit's boss, Chief Inspector Donald MacMillan and his deputy, Inspector Graeme Allan, who gave a brief presentation on the responsibilities of the modern day Road Policing Unit or Traffic Department as it is more affectionately known by the ex traffic patrol officers amongst the group. Members were taken on a tour of the facilities where they were given practical demonstrations of the APR units, camera and video units and speed detection devices and other modern technology used by the traffic officers of today. This included seeing first hand the equipment etc carried in an armed response vehicle (ARV).
Refreshments were kindly offered by Elaine and were most welcome along with the seat. Elaine had also arranged to display for members the photograph boards and other memorabalia from days gone by and this went down well with the old timers.
As members were leaving what had been a very informative visit I am sure I detected a few 'shakes of the head' and mutterings about 'how things had changed'. Our thanks to Donald and his team for agreeing to the visit, the third for the Branch in a year.
Canal Cruise.
On Tuesday, 1st June, 2010, eight members of the R.P.O.A.S. Central Branch, met up at the boat house H.Q. of the Seagull Trust, Falkirk. We were met by, and assisted in boarding a modified canal boat, by members of the trust. Modifications included lift mechanisms which allowed even wheelchair access to the boat, and therefor, to the pleasures of a canal cruise.
The weather which had promised poor conditions during the morning, cleared considerably prior to our arrival and brightened even further during the cruise. Tea, coffee and biscuits were served during the cruise, together with plenty of relevant information regarding the surrounding countryside and the fairly lengthy tunnel through which we passed. A tunnel which had been constructed at the end of the Napoleonic wars. At the end of the cruise a presentation of our Association Plaque was made to the Seagull Trust in recognition of the interest shown in our organisation.
After the cruise we adjourned to the Coppertop Restaurant, Camelon, for a very pleasant meal.
All in all a very pleasant time was had by all
Branch were guests of H M Prison Glenochil!!
15 members of the Branch were guests of H M Prison Glenochil on the afternoon of 20 May 2010. They arrived at the given hour following a very satisfying lunch at a nearby hostelry. A first class presentation giving a history of the establishment from 1958 to the present day was given, followed by a most informative tour and the opportunity for questions. The insight given into a modern prison was fascinating and unrecognisable from the group's experience of penal establishments during their time in service, when riots, protests, assaults, etc, were regular occurrences. This is clearly partly due to the wide choice of qualifications / employment opportunities on site where the facilities are second to none. Needless to say, the information that the cost of funding one inmate works out at £29,000 annually was staggering. This visit has been one of the best the Branch has attended over the past two years and we are most grateful to the Governor and his Staff for allowing us access to their working environment and making us so welcome, and most importantly, giving us our freedom at the end of the day!The Prison Staff were presented with an Association plaque by the Chairman at the conclusion of our visit
BRANCH VISIT TO F.A.C.T.
On Tuesday 18 May 2010 eight members of the Branch visited the premises of the Federation Against Copyright Theft (F.A.C.T.) which is located somewhere in Central Scotland. For reasons of security it is not possible to divulge the location of these premises.
The unit is responsible for investigating breaches of the Copyright Act throughout Scotland. The infringements dealt with by FACT relate mainly to counterfeit video and music DVDs. Within their warehouse members were shown goods worth millions of pounds confiscated by the unit.
The members were given a short presentation on the work of FACT including the covert surveillance teams and the forensic computer analysists. The visit was arranged by one of the FACT investigators who is himself a member of Central Branch RPOAS. At the end of the visit the FACT staff were thanked by the Branch Chairman who acknowledged the appreciation of the members for what had been an extremely interesting and informative visit.
R.P.O.A.S Golf Outing Whitemoss.
The new branch golf outing to Whitemoss took place on Monday the 10th May, and after a flurry of call-offs and late entries, fourteen members assemble to play. A healthy bacon roll and coffee stiffened the sinews before tee-off, and a bright though cool day welcomed us to the challenge.
The course was in good condition after a long winter, and proved a difficult test to our players. The format was a Stableford points competition, and we had some extra tests of nearest the pin at selected holes.
Results
First place: with 35 points: Graham Moodie.
Second place: with 33 points: (better back nine) Ivan Ruxton.
Third place: with 33 points: Malcolm Roy.
Nearest the pin in two strokes, at the 6th: Malcolm Roy.
Nearest the pin at the 13th: Graham Moodie.
Graham Moodie therefore is the first winner of the Willie Wilson Shield, kindly donated by Willie who was also instrumental in proposing this event.
Thanks are due to Malcolm Roy (present captain of Whitemoss) for local arrangements, to Central Branch of the association for donation of prizes, and to Whitemoss Golf Club for their welcome and efficiency.
We were pleased that Jim Hannah and his wife Sandra attended to socialise with us during the lunch. All in all, a very successful day with some of the old camaraderie from days gone by!
Harry Arbuckle (Golf Outing Co-ordinator)
Visit to Larbert Police Station
On 23 March 2010, at the invitation of Chief Superintendent Gordon Samson, 18 members of the Branch attended the second visit to Larbert Police Office. This was an informative visit and included a tour of the dog section facility. As always, the hospitality of Central Scotland Police was second to none. 4 Life Members and one of the first two policewomen (Helen Govan) in Stirling and Clacks were among the group.
BRANCH LUNCH AT THE DUTCH INN ON THURSDAY, 18 MARCH 2010
59 members, partners and friends attended the Branch Lunch at the Dutch Inn on 18 March 2010. The lunches are now an established part of the social calendar and are enjoyed for their informality and the opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues. The next lunch will take place in September 2010. All members will be made welcome and are encouraged to bring along friends or family if they wish.
