2010 will see the International Police Association celebrate its Diamond Jubilee and the British Section - the founding Section - will be marking the occasion with events throughout the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.
Here’s a flavour of what’s being planned.
The 2010 National Council Meeting of Section UK will be held in East Grinstead, thus taking the celebrations into the south east of England. Members from the area, the Metropolis and the National Executive team are working on a programme of events around the dates of the meeting, which will include a Golf Tournament.
The jewel in the crown of the programme will be a special service at Guildford Cathedral in Surrey which features a stained glass window commemorating IPA. Invitations are being issued to VIPs and notable IPA members to come and assist in the re-dedication of the window, a personal gift by the 3rd President of Section UK and simultaneous International President Sir Peter Matthews. The international committee – the Permanent Executive Bureau – will be in attendance.
Moving west into Wales, members there will make the Rugby 7s competition their main focal event.
Moving east across to the middle of England to Hereford. This is the home of Section UK’s longest serving member – Len Washer, UK4. He and other members will start a tour visiting three other founding Sections – the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany – and re-enact the early days of IPA as a truly worldwide body. Members of Section IPA attending the march in Arnhem will use the opportunity of a symbolic handover of the Diamond Jubilee Flag to Section Netherlands (details of this event will be released later). Netherlands is the second Section of the International Police Association so the flag is being handed over in readiness for their Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in 2010.
Len is also featuring on a special edition picture produced by cartoonist Jedd. The picture, depicting officers in period uniforms from the first seven Sections, will be reproduced on Christmas cards and memorabilia. These items are now available for sale.
Nottingham, situated in the east Midlands, is the home of the British Section Administrative Centre and International Administration Centre. The Diamond Jubilee flag will be raised at the outset of the year and an Open Day will be held on Saturday 24 July so members can visit, see the building and meet with members and staff from Section UK and the IAC. Tours of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and Nottingham City highlights are also being planned. (Details of this event will be released later). Nottingham is also the venue for a Ten-pin bowling competition.
In the North of England, Durham Branch members are holding a friendship week ‘Historic Durham’. The city of York is the venue for an international football competition in September. The Camping and Caravan Group will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with a nationwide Roadshow, the centrepiece of which will be a rally in Liverpool – confirmed see Events for final details.
In Northern Ireland, members are hosting a friendship week ‘A Taste of Ulster’. There’ll also be a delegation of national and regional office holders attending the National Police Memorial Day in Belfast.
Returning to Scotland, friendship weeks are being held in Stirling and plans are afoot for IPA involvement in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo as well as the annual traditional Burns Suppers.
You can view up to date details of the planned events by clicking this link: jubilee calendar