Fife Branch
The Fife Branch was formed in 1985 and currently has over 80% of Fife Constabulary Pensioners as members. Membership is renewable annually and an application form can be obtained from the Secretary.
The affairs of the Branch are administered by a Management Committee, comprising Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and committee members. It meets on four occasions in the year. The Annual General Meeting takes place on the in October of each year at Police Headquarters, Glenrothes.
Chairperson: Eddie Devlin
Secretary: Brian Steer.
Dunfermline Glen and abbey Dunfermline Abbey
The R&A at the 18th Fairway, St Andrews The Swilken Bridge with the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
How the Fife Branch was born.
In April 1985 David Bruce sent a letter to all Fife Pensioners asking if they would be interested in forming a Fife Branch of Retired Officers. 154 letters were returned supporting such a move. Chief Constable Mr Moodie added his approval and an inaugural meeting was held at Kirkcaldy Police Station on 13 June 1985. (As a point of interest the pension increase for that year was 7%)
46 retired officers turned up and they included, Jimmy Burnett, Ken Keith, Jim Morgan, Sandy Marr and of course Tom Foy. At the commencement of the meeting Tom was co-opted as temporary Chairman. After discussion it was agreed that a Fife Branch be formed and a donation of £100 was received from the Fife JBB to get the Branch started.
A Steering Committee was appointed to oversee the process and on 10 July 1985 the Fife Branch was officially constituted and Tom Foy continued as Chairman.
On 23 October 1985 the first Management Committee Meeting took place and the membership had increased to 209. Annual subscription was approved at £2 per member. Fife Branch had its first Annual General Meeting on 5 March 1986.
History of War Memorial
The Fife Branch was instrumental in having a dedicated exhibit of Remembrance displayed within the atrium of Fife Police Headquarters, Glenrothes, during 1997/98.
A satin Brass Plaque 24” x 30” was engraved and supplied by Thomas A. Ingram & Co. Ltd of Birmingham, and then fitted to a backing board before being erected on the wall. This work and the shelf for the Book of Remembrance was carried out by Peter Connelly, Joiner, Kennoway.
The Parchment Book, containing the names of personnel who died, was made up by James Watt, a member of the Management Committee of the Fife Branch, RPOAS).
Obituaries Click Here
News
Updated 4th February 2012
Donation to Castlebrae
At the Annual General Meeting of the Branch, the members unanimously agreed to make a further donation to the Police Treatment Centre, Auchterarder, for their refurbishment programme. Pictured are Eddie and Ken making the presentation of £500 to Graeme Addison, Fundraiser for the Treatment Centre.
Whilst at Auchterarder Eddie and Ken were shown the plans for the refurbishment works that will include a new swimming pool, gymnasium and treatment facilities.
Presentation to Dave Hyslop
At the February Management Committee Meeting, Branch Committee member and stalwart, Dave Hyslop, decided to stand down from his position. Dave retired in 1997 and the following year was elected to the Committee.
Pictured is Eddie making a small presentation to Dave along with other members of the Committee, on behalf of the Branch.
He was thanked for his contribution and hard work throughout his period as a Committee member and sincere best wishes for the future.
The West Fife Memorial Group
The West Fife Memorial Group was established to raise funds in order to erect a Memorial to the five West Wemyss men who gave their lives and saved the village.
"Just before 11am on Thursday 23 January 1941 an explosion rocked the village of West Wemyss when a sea mine detonated as five members of the local community attempted to secure it to prevent it drifting further towards the village. All five lost their lives the youngest being just 15 and the eldest a retired miner aged 69. On 23 January 2011, seventy years after this tragic event a memorial was unveiled near the church where all five are buried. The memorial only came about through the efforts of the West Wemyss Memorial Group who commissioned the image of a mine through the Kirremuir artist Bruce Walker. One of the community that died that day was George Storrar who was 38 years of age. He had enlisted as a Special Constable with Fife Police and had been alerted to the fact that an object was floating near the Lady's Rock. He immediately went to the scene and tried to stop it moving towards the village aware of the danger it posed.
Esther Hitchcock, who's great uncle was George Storrar, was part of the memorial group and they have now donated a cheque for £250.00 to the Fife Branch, Retired Police Officers fund. The West Wemyss Memorial Group also commissioned a picture of the memorial from artist Bill Bruce. Only twenty prints have been made and Esther has now presented one of these to Levenmouth Police Station. To Read the full article on the bravery of these men click here
Pictured are Brian Steer and Eddie Devlin accepting the cheque from Esther Hitchcock and Graeme Kinmond accepting the picture on behalf of Levenmouth Police."
Obituary
It is with regret that I have to inform you of the death of Willie Wyles (71 years). He was the Driver/Handyman at Levenmouth for many years and will be well known to many of our members. He was also a very active Bowler in police competitions. '
Annual Christmas Lunch
The Committee of the Fife Branch hosted the annual Christmas lunch for our police widows on Wednesday, 7 December, 2011, at Police Headquarters, Glenrothes.
We are pleased that the Chief Constable, Mrs Norma Graham QPM, was able to join us along with our other guests, The Reverend Richard Baxter, Force Chaplain and Ian McMillan, Branch member. Ian has been a loyal supporter of the Branch and he was thanked by Chair, Eddie Devlin, for his previous contributions particularly to this event.
The Ladies had an excellent afternoon with renewed friendships and already well established ones. Our thanks to Fife Catering staff for a fine lunch with excellent service and to Mrs Graham for allowing us the facilities at Headquarters
Festivities about to begin, please note only water in the glasses
AGM Held on 26th October 2011
The AGM was held in Headquarters on 26th October. To read an extract of the minutes please Click Here
Presentation of cheque to Georgine Whigham, Fund raising Co-ordinator for COPS (Care of Police Survivors), by Fife Chair Eddie Devlin. Also present, Chief Constable Mrs Norma Graham, who opened the AGM.
Branch Lunch
A Branch Lunch was held on 2 November, 2011, at the Gilvenbank Hotel, Glenrothes.
The presentation of Life Member Certificates at the Branch Lunch.
From the left: Jim Brownlie, DCC Andrew Barker, who presented the Certificates, Eddie Devlin Branch Chair, Bill Moodie former Chief Constable, and Dave Wallace.
Group photograph of those attending Branch Lunch
Remembrance Service
The annual Remembrance Service was held on Friday, 11 November, 2011, at Police Headquarters, Glenrothes. The service was conducted by The Rev. Richard Baxter, Force Chaplain, who gave a short but very moving tribute to those who have given their life for our country.
After the two minute silence the Chief Constable and Eddie Devlin, Chair of the Fife Branch RPOAS, laid wreaths at the Memorial plaque.
The service was attended by members of the Fife Branch, serving officers and support staff.
Branch Lunch
The Fife Branch had a very successful lunch on Wednesday, 9 March, 2011, with 60 of our members attending. This is the best attendance so far so thanks to you all but it does mean we have to keep this up.
The meal and service from the Gilvenbank Hotel, Glenrothes, was excellent and much appreciated. The lunch was also a special occasion for our new Life members. We are pleased that Mrs. Graham, QPM, Chief Constable, was able to present the Certificates to our guests:-
Jimmy Archibald, Jim Burns, Alex Freedman, Jean Henderson and Jim Peddie.
Sadly Jack Brunton couldn't make it but we will arrange to have his Certifcate presented to him. We all wish him a speedy recovery.
Thanks to Ken Bellingham and Eddie Devlin for making the day go as planned. The photo's show our new Life Members with the Chief Constable and Chair, Eddie Devlin. The group photograph captures many who attended on the day.
Motor, Home and Travel Insurance
In conjunction with Fife Constabulary Recreation Club, the RUC Athletic Association has offered Club members and all retired officers access to their Motor, Home and Travel Insurances at discounted rates. The scheme is run through Abbey Insurance Brokers Ltd and if you are interested the freephone number is :- 0800 707 6697.
STAYING ON YOUR FEET
Fife User Panels are small groups of older people who have an opportunity to influence the way services are planned and provided locally. There are seven Panels across Fife with up to eight older people in each one.
Over the last year Panel members have been discussing their experiences of falls and follow-up care as well as expectations of what should happen in the event of a fall. Their comments have been passed to the Fife Falls Action Planning Working Group whose remit is to establish and develop a consistent approach to the management and secondary prevention of falls across Fife.
Overwhelmingly, the 50 older people who were involved said that if they had fallen and reported it they would expect a follow up visit and check up from their GP. They said this would provide reassurance and perhaps ascertain the underlying cause of a fall.
The sort of practical help they were seeking was very much focused on ways to prevent further falls. This included guidance on the right type of footwear and how to access foot care including getting toe nails cut, as sore or troublesome feet contribute significantly to falls. Also highlighted was the importance of regular sight and hearing tests as well as physiotherapist led strengthening and balance exercises.
The Panel members also mentioned the value of checking if someone was eating properly and taking sufficient fluids as there is evidence that falls can sometimes be the consequence of poor nutrition. Significantly, many of those who took part called for routine check ups for older people which can pick up changes in blood pressure, symptoms of conditions which could contribute to falling and to reassess medication which could cause dizziness or loss of balance.
The Panel members' comments and suggestions have been well received and used by physiotherapists at an NHS Fife Patient Experience Seminar.
As a follow up, all Panels recently met physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists and a home safety development officer to discuss falls prevention in relation to the role of these agencies.
Citizen Advocacy in West Fife
As a retired person how do your spend you time? Who do you spend your time with? You might enjoy golfing, walking, reading, gardening or just spending quality time with the people who are important to you.
In your lifetime think about the mutual support you have experienced with people in your life where both have:
- Enjoyed good times together
- Encouraged each other
- Supported each other through difficult times
- Given each other advice
Dunfermline Advocacy Initiative introduces local people to adults with learning disabilities, who may not know or spend time with other members of their community, and who would benefit from this kind of contact.
Long term Citizen Advocates get the chance to meet someone new, spend time with them and share their hobbies or interests too. They also help someone who is at risk of being excluded in their community, to be included.
Short term Citizen Advocates get the satisfaction of helping someone to resolve a particular issue. They also make a real difference by supporting people to speak up, who might otherwise find it difficult to be heard.
If you would like to know more about short or long term Citizen Advocacy please contact Jane at Dunfermline Advocacy Initiative on 01383 624382 or at jane.dai@btinternet.com
SUPPORT TO DIABETICS
Serving members of the Force have set up a group to help and assist sufferers of diabetes.
One of the ways that the group works is by sending out emails to the members on a weekly/fortnightly basis with diabetes related articles e.g press releases, medical updates, diet plans etc., usually as a word attachment.
Civilian support staff are also in the Group and now it would like to include retired officers. If you are interested in receiving diabetes information please contact either Keith Jackson or Kenny Allan, Drugs Liaison, (01592 418882), who are both serving police officers.
If you know of a retired officer who might like to receive the information and he/she does not have an email address, pass their details too and the posting out of the information can also be arranged.
Full Committee and Office Bearers.
Chairman:-Eddie Devlin
Vice Chairman:-Ken Bellingham QPM
Treasurer:-Robert Muir
Secretary:-Brian Steer
Committee members:- Eileen Muir, David Hyslop, John Brand, Graham Carpenter,
George Fleming David Ramsay and David Brown