Our Police & Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire Chris Nelson has unveiled his draught 2021 Policing Plan for public consultation.

Any comments, observations or feedback should be sent to:-  https://www.gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/contact-us/

BPSO have just opened the Box Office for Proms Night Spectacular! ‘Back on the Beat in Birmingham’ Concert – Symphony Hall, Birmingham – which this year takes place on 4^th December 2021, 7.30pm. See attached flyer for details – BPSO Symphony Hall A5 Flyer 2021.

We are thrilled to finally be able to perform this iconic event live for you again, especially after such difficult times, worldwide, throughout the pandemic.

This year’s exciting programme includes:- John Williams’- Harry Potter Suite; Hymn to the Fallen; Stanley Black’s – Themes from James Bond; sing-along hits from ‘The Sound of Music’; ‘2001 – a Space Odyssey’; and ‘You Raise Me Up’; plus so much more, before we launch into the traditional ‘Proms Night’ finish of Jerusalem; Rule, Britannia!; and Land Of Hope & Glory, complete with our flagship Fireworks finish!

 Tickets are priced at – £29; £23.50; or £13 each. (Concessions apply).

So, bring your singing voices, your flags and streamers and raise the roof at Symphony Hall to be part of one of the region’s most popular concerts of the season… and until then, whilst C-19 will sadly prevent us bringing you balloons this year, here is a little something to whet your appetite…  https://vimeo.com/518307288/2792285e8c

Tickets can be purchased via our online booking system which is at bpso.org.uk/shop 

Please note that by ordering direct from BPSO’s booking system, you will SAVE £3 per ticket (being the transaction fee charged by ordering tickets from Symphony Hall’s Box Office)…AND we’ve also got the best seats in the house!

Please feel free to forward this email onto any of your contacts who might like to join us for the fabulous evening of entertainment, so that they may also take advantage of this superb saving.

Best Regards,

Claire Burnel

The below has been sent to us by a retired colleague who now works for Police Care UK, they were known as the Police Dependents Trust ….

I’m writing to tell you about an event which may interest you and your colleagues; The Charity Shire Horse Drive from Gloucestershire to Morayshire.

Jamie Alcock is the brother of the late PC John Christopher Alcock, who was a serving officer with Grampian Police stationed at Elgin. In August 2003 Christopher was involved in a road traffic accident whilst on duty. He was travelling with colleagues to do their shift on Royal Protection at Balmoral. Christopher was unconscious at the scene of the accident, never recovered consciousness and died 14 years later. He was buried with full police honours at Garmouth, just north of Fochabers, in October 2017. The local Police Federation and Chief Constable, looked after Christopher’s needs and issues as much as they could, and in a most generous way. They did their best for his partner and young son too. Christopher’s name is recorded on the Police Roll of Honour.

Jamie Alcock lives in Gloucestershire and works Shire horses on his farm; Coldcroft Farm.  Starting on Saturday 5th June, he will drive two Shire horses and carriage, from his farm to his brothers graveside in Morayshire. He also plans to go via the National Memorial Arboretum where Christopher’s name is carved before heading north. He will be raising money for Police Care UK, and said, “I want to help put back into the pot so that others can be helped too”.

The start date is Saturday 5th June 2021 (restrictions permitting). The Proposed route will be; Gloucester – Newent – Tewkesbury – Pershore – Alcester – Kenilworth – Atherstone – National Memorial Arboretum – Loughborough – Newark on Trent – Lincoln – Goole – York – Thirsk – Bishop Auckland – Beamish Living Museum – Caledonia. The schedule is planned at averaging 20 miles per day and I anticipate the journey will take a maximum of 6 weeks. Beamish Living Museum would be just under halfway (timewise).

People can see a map of the route and follow Jamie’s’ progress here: https://www.followmychallenge.com/live/cshc/

Anyone can make a donation here; Virgin Money Giving | Shire Horse Challenge

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL MEMBERS 

ALL BRANCH SECRETARIES AND NEC MEMBERS

I wanted to flag that the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has received evidence of fraudulent messages being sent to the public informing them a new dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

People are being sent a text message claiming to be from the NHS which informs the recipient that, “we have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine.” The message ends with a link to a website mocked up to look like a legitimate NHS platform. The website requests personal details, including name and address and banking details.

The CTSI has said “this is the latest in a series of scams themed around the pandemic in circulation since last March. With the UK vaccine rollout underway, scammers have modified their scam to consider this new development.”

I thought this may be of interest to you and your members and reminds us to remain vigilant. The CTSI said “The vaccine brings great hope for an end to the pandemic and lockdowns, but some only wish to create even further misery by defrauding others. The NHS will never ask you for banking details, passwords, or PIN numbers and these should serve as instant red flags. Do not provide any information to the scammers, but please also report suspicious messages to Action Fraud, or if in Scotland, Police Scotland, as this provides intelligence and assists authorities in combating scams.”

IF IN DOUBT CONTACT THE POLICE OR TRADING STANDARDS

Recently I circulated, to our members on email, details of the forthcoming 100th birthday of one of our Police widows. Some still remember both tiny and his wife, we are looking for any memories of her and her husband Pc William “Tiny” Newman.

He daughter has very kindly sent me some family photos of her father from his Police years which I’m sure you would like to see.

Andy Stone

Branch Secretary

Pc 37 William Bleaken NEWMAN

Pre-war Initial Course

Pre-war Initial Course

Pre war recruits

Tug of War Team 1946

Competition at Chelt Boys College

On patrol

Tiny at a social event

A tiny bike for Tiny

The latter years at Hempsted

Retirement looming