Lothian And Borders Branch
The Branch, originally known as the South East Branch, was formed in 1946 and as well as being the longest established, is currently the largest numerically in Scotland with over 1460 members.
With members now settled in far flung places such as Australia, New Zealand,
USA, France, Spain, South Africa and all parts of the UK, the Committee strive to keep them informed by means of two newsletters per year.
In this era of high technology, members are also encouraged to provide E-mail addresses which allows for quick transmission of up to date news.
Secretary: Alan Dickson
News
Obituaries Click Here
Updated 3rd February 2012
Retiral Do
After 30 years (25 of them within the Traffic Branch) PC Stevie Carroll has eventually decided to hang up his hat and retire. He intends to have a doo within the Police Club, Milne Suite (downstairs) on Sat 10th March from 7pm onwards. Stevie would hope to see as many of you as possible in attendance and I'm told that he may even put his hand in his pocket and a drink!!!!!!!!!!
In the meantime, I will be taking a collection in the hope that I can raise enough to purchase a send off gift for him. Should you wish to contribute, please forward it to me at HQ Road Policing Branch.
Roger Park
PS 4693 'O'
roger.park@lbp.pnn.police.uk
Black Tie Charity Dinner
Allan Walker, one of our members, is organising a black tie Fundraising event, to be held at the Maitlandfield Hotel, Haddington, on Saturday 26th May. There will be a three course meal, after dinner speech by Alan Rough (Real Radio presenter and Ex Scotland International footballer), live African music/dance and will conclude with an auction.
The cost is £30 per head with all proceeds going to a school building project in Rilima, a small poor community, situated outside Kigali, Rwanda.
Further enquiries to Allan at build.rwanda@hotmail.co.uk
Discount Tickets GMH Promotions
GMH Promotions in Conjunction with The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh are delighted to offer 20% Discount on Tickets for the forthcoming 2 concerts.
1.
Karnataka
2 March 2012 at 7:00pm at The Queen's Hall
7pm: Doors Open
Time TBC: 1st artist onstage
Formed in 1997, Karnataka have developed through various line-ups and break-ups to now being seen at the forefront of the UK progressive rock scene.They have so far released four studio albums: Karnataka, The Storm, Delicate Flame of Desire and The Gathering Light which was voted Best Foreign Album at the 2010 Prog Awards.
The current line-up features founder Ian Jones with Enrico Pinna, Louie Palmer, Colin Mold, Hayley Griffiths and Cagri Tozluoglu.
"Testament to five musicians who clearly have the creativity and the foresight to be their own musical people" (Classic Rock)
www.karnataka.org.uk
Event Karnataka
Date 2 March 2012 at 7:00pm
Tickets £14 + £1.50 booking fee per ticket. This fee is charged on all sales for this event (ie telephone, internet, in person). If you buy tickets online, there is an additional 50p per ticket credit/debit card fee.
Notes The Queen's Hall Tickets & Information: 0131 668 2019 | Doors open 7pm | If you buy tickets in person or over the telephone, credit/debit card fees can vary;
2. Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
16 October 2012 at 7:00pm at The Queen's Hall
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes were the second band after Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band to emerge from the New Jersey shore scene in the 1970s. With over 30 albums to their credit, the Jukes' musical trademark continues to be their exuberant rhythm and blues feel, loaded with the driving sound of their legendary horn section. Rolling Stone Magazine called their album Hearts of Stone, "one of the top 100 albums of the 70s and 80s."
www.southsidejohnny.com
Event Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
Date 16 October 2012 at 7:00pm
Tickets £22.50 + £1.50 booking fee per ticket. This fee is charged on all sales for this event (ie telephone, internet, in person). If you buy tickets online, there is an additional 50p per ticket credit/debit card fee.
Notes Doors 7pm | The Queen's Hall Tickets & Information: 0131 668 2019 | If you buy tickets in person or over the telephone, credit/debit card fees can vary
Apply Direct to Queens Hall Quoting L & BP at time of booking to receive 20% discount on Ticket Price. Discount applies only to face value Not any Fees.
The Annual Dinner
The Annual Dinner, will be held on Friday 2 March, 7pm for 7.30pm at the Braid Hills Hotel. Our speaker this year will be Tom Leadbetter, well known to a large number of you.
Tickets are selling well, but we still have capacity, so why not book your ticket now and not leave it to the last minute. Price £22.50 for members and £27.50 for non members, available form yours truly. A SAE with your remittance, made out to RPOAS L & B Branch, would be appreciated.
We would love to see some of our more recently retired colleagues coming along too, it is a very informal night with good food, good entertainment and a great raffle, so why not make a New Year resolution to attend, I am positive you would come back in the future.
Alan Dickson
Donation to Castlebrae
On Monday 28th November Davy McLuckie handed over a cheque for £750 To alison Daly assistant manager at the Police Treatment Centre, Auchterarder. Davy is at the centre undergoing treatment. The money will be used in the forthcoming upgrade to the facilities at the Centre which include biulding a new and improved Pool and Gym area.
G Div Lunch
On Saturday 19th a very successful lunch was held in the Kingsknowe Hotel, Galashiels.
Active Honorary Sport & Rec. Members Update
Following ongoing discussion with the Sport & Rec.the Secretary has received the following self explanatory letter from them. Any queries to Alan Dickson.
To read the letter click here
AGM
The Agm was held at Fettes on 16th October. Details will be published soonSheila Ross stood down as Chairperson and also stood down from the Commmittee where she has been a stalwart for the past ten years. Sheila is continuing her work with the RPOAS as she will keep working on the lottery and Job pages of the web site. She was presented with a small gift by the incoming Chairman, Ian Cowden.
<
ARE YOU A BOWLER?
Some RPOAS members do not know that the Scottish Police Bowling (Retired Members) Association exists. Several branch members are now playing at these fixtures and more would be welcome.
All retired officers, retired Specials and retired staff members who are interested in bowling with the Scottish Police Bowling (Retired Members) Association should contact the Secretary - David Grant (email : thegrants32000@yahoo.co.uk) or Branch contact Sheila (email: webadmin@rpoas.org.uk)
The fixture list for 2011/12 is now on the news page
THE ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AT THE SCOTTISH POLICE MEMORIAL
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
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.
At the 2011 Memorial Service, L&B Retd Ch Supt Ian McPherson attended as his son's name had been added to the Roll of Honour this year:
"CONSTABLE DAVID McPHERSON Lothian & Borders Police
David died on 23rd February 2011, aged 51 after suffering a brain haemorrhage. He had just finished his shift in the Force Control Centre and commenced his drive home when he was taken ill. He had served with Lothian & Borders Police for 28 years.
He is survived by his wife Mags and twin daughters Elaine and Laura."
Ian was accompanied by Mrs and Willie Brownhill (also retd from L&B).
David Garbutt, QPM (Branch member) was the Director of the Scottish Police College.and he did much by way of personal input to enhance the original plan, resulting in the beautiful memorial garden it has now become. David is now the Charities Patron, and laid a wreath.
The force was represented by the Chief Constable David Strang QPM and L&B Branch was represented by Sheila Ross, Ian & Margaret Cowden, Glen Brown and Hamish Purdie (West Lothian).
The RPOAS wreath was laid by Alex Grant, Ayrshire Branch, and there was a good representation from the RPOAS branches.
Members may be interested to know that there is a Scottish Police Memorial Trust Memorial for Police Officers at Tulliallan for officers who died off duty or in retirement if you want to look at the web site www.spmt.org.uk there are details and an application form or you can phone 01563 579988 for more details.
Over 80's Lunch
The over 80's Lunch was held in Kings Manor Hotel on Sunday 18th September. We had an excellent turnout and Assistant Chief Constable Bill Skelly present certificates to those who had turned 80 during the past 12 months. The group photograph shows those who received their certificates along with Acc Skelly and Branch Chair Sheila Ross (who hasn't quite reached 80).
Altogether a great afternoon was had by all.
A couple of Photos Of Sunset at Longniddry Beach
Photos Submitted by Marilyn Young
COMMITTEE
Chairman: Ian Cowden
Vice Chair:Alasdair White
Secretary/Treasurer: Alan Dickson
Assistant Secretary:Glenn Milne
Members: Norman Black, Glen Brown, David McLuckie,
Peter Westbrook, Donald Urquhart, Tom Fergusson, Alan Scott, Donald MacIver