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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS
Orgreave Public Inquiry
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The following has been circulated to all NARPO branches;
Good afternoon,
I am writing to share information about the Orgreave Inquiry, which launched on 26 March 2026 and is chaired by the Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield.
I am pleased to share our latest booklet, which provides an overview of the Inquiry, as well as information on how those affected by the events at Orgreave can engage with the process.
Printed copies are available. Should you wish to receive hard copies, we would be happy to arrange this. Please contact us at info@orgreave.public-inquiry.uk
I know that there are members of the branch, including myself who were deployed there at the time of disorder. Rather than send the digital booklet to all, if anyone has a particular interest please let me know and I will forward a copy.
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Ian Whitfield
St Helens Branch Secretary
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Branch Committee Meeting and Newsletter
The next meeting of the Branch Committee will be on Monday 9 November, 2026, 7pm at Bishop Rd.
Using this site
This local site should be used in conjunction with the national site. Information on the national site will not normally be duplicated on this local site as accurate updating could be a problem. Information regarding pensions and, especially Injury on Duty awards, changes at such a pace that efficient duplication would be unworkable. National site links are included at the bottom of all local pages.
Members with items they want posted should contact the Branch Secretary (details in the Contacts page) who will consider whether or not to add it. The local site will contain both current and historical local information. There is no intention to add a social network section to the site nor anything of a similar nature. (Due to the structure permitted by the national site it is doubtful the functionality for social networks is able to be added in any case). Photographs of current or past events, or details to be added to existing photographs, may be forwarded direct to the local Web Administrator (see Contacts for details).
Text formatting.
Please note that despite every attempt to format text to the left the system we are currently using – a sub-system of the national NARPO web system – it continually changes this formatting in a random way, usually by centering text.
This ‘feature’ is something out of our control for the time being (October 2026).
September 2026
99 RED BALLOONS
BEST WISHES and heartiest congratulations to our most senior member on her Birthday.
Betty Guest, one time, assistant Secretary of the Branch reached the grand age of 99 years.
Betty who lives alone in Haydock was visiting her daughter and other family members in London for the event when they surprised her with 99 Red balloons for the occasion.
Betty only recently gave up her driving licence and had been so proud when she had renewed it at 97 years.
She had herself been a Policewoman in St Helens Borough until marrying Eric Guest, a fellow Police officer and starting a family.
May we wish Betty continuing good health. (Photo from John Russell).
October 2026
Visit to the former Newton le Willows Police Station
Friday 16th October 2026
Pictured below are a number of members who had a final opportunity to have a look around the former Newton le Willows police station at Earlestown prior to it being handed over to its new owners.
Rugby Union Success
60th ANNIVERSARY
The 10th October 2026 was the 60th Anniversary of a famous day for the Rugby lovers in the old Borough Force.
Despite not having a regular rugby section, the force entered a team in the No 1 District Annual Sevens Competition with around 14 forces participating each year.
Most of the forces competing had a regular team with a Fixture list.
St. Helens first entered a team in 1961, and had reached the semi-finals on three occasions.
For 1966, the Team was allowed training time before the competition which was held at the Fylde Rugby Union Club. On a lovely Autumn afternoon, St. Helens displayed some delightful Rugby disposing of the Lancashire and Manchester teams before beating the formidable Liverpool City in the Final, to become the first borough to win this competition.
As a result, a Rugby section was formed with a full fixture list and had a highly successful life before disbanding on the 1974 amalgamation.
TEAM
Front Row from left – Insp. Fred Moran, Dennis Glynn, (Capt), Chief Constable Archie Atherton , Brian Railton,
Insp. Bill Lawrenson
Back Row From left – Tony Twist, Bob Williams, Roy Dunn, Jim Baird, Ian Broughton, Alan Roberts
Branch Events
A number of events are being planned for the coming months, as soon as confirmation of times, venues and cost are available they will be published here.
November 2026
Christmas Party
Saturday 28th November 7.00pm at Bishop Road Police Club
Please advise the Treasurer of your attendance by Friday 20th November 2026.
For payment and contact details please check the latest newsletter for October/November 2026, as confidential details concerning banking and personal details of the Treasurer cannot be published openly here.
Payments can be made online (do it now Please.)
Members and Partners £12.50 per person – Guests £15.50 per person. If paying by Cheque, please contact Ray (details on the newsletter) so that he can put you on the list.
Bob Morgan sings “Merry Christmas Everybody” on YouTube. Double click on the image to play this – you may need to have the YouTube app on your device.
As usual, doors will open at 7.00pm, entertainment will begin at 8.00pm, and the buffet will be at 9.00pm.
December 2026
Canal Boat Trip
Tuesday 15th December
Christmas Party Boat – 5 miles of the canal through the exquisite Vale of Llangollen, including traversing the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct. The Branch will have exclusive use of the boat for this 4 hour trip. A glass of beer or fizz will welcome us on board and a Retro 80’s buffet will be served during the trip.
Dietary requirements can be accommodated, please inform me personally if there are any. Tea and coffee will be served and there is also a licensed bar on board The coach will leave Bishop Road at 9.30am returning at approximately 6pm.
Please advise the Treasurer of your attendance by Monday 30th November 2026.
For payment and contact details please check the latest newsletter for October/November 2026, as confidential details concerning banking and personal details of the Treasurer cannot be published openly here.
Payments can be made online (do it now Please.)
Members and Partners £30.00 per person – Guests £45.00 per person. If paying by Cheque, please contact Ray (details on the newsletter) so that he can put you on the list.
March 2027
Branch Holiday 2027
Warners Nidd Hall, North Yorkshire, 4* Hotel
Monday 22nd March, 2027 – Friday 26th March, 2027.
£479 pp plus 2 excursions included.
Our Chair Anita has arranged this holiday with Memory Lane (Ashcrofts).
The Hotel is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. It sits in 45 acres of lush award winning
parkland. Nidd Hall is a magnificent grade 11 listed mansion, built in the 1820’s for a wealthy Bradford
wool merchant, Benjamin Rawson.
The price is £479 pp sharing a standard room. Signature room updates will be available for an extra £30 pp per break duration.
A very small number of single rooms will be available at £ 479 pp, allocated on a first come, first served
basis. A single person occupying a double / twin standard room will be subject to an additional supplement.
A non-refundable deposit of £79 will be required.
Holiday insurance is available at a competitive rate from Memory Lane Travel on -01942 728960
for full details visit their website on www.memorylanetravelinsurance
Deposit required by 5th September, and the final payment required 21st January, 2027
Booking details are not included here as they contain the Chair’s personal details. Please check your newsletter for booking details.
Events at Bishop Road Club
Various Fridays in 2026
If you like Soul Music the Club is hosting a number of commercial events throughout the year.
Contact the telephone number in the flyer shown for details, they are priced at £5 per person on the door.
Please note this is a commercial event hosted by the club, and is not a St Helens NARPO event.
Coach trip to Skipton
Wednesday 9th September 2026
Members enjoyed a coach trip to Skipton. A report on activities and photographs are awaited.
Afternoon Tea 2026
3 June 2026
Members attended an Afternoon Tea Party at Bishop Road Police Club. The usual afternoon tea of sandwiches, cakes and scones, teas and coffee, were supported by entertainment from StevieM (Steve Moyers). As can be seen, the bar was opened for us.
Here is a video of StevieM performing at the event – you may need to have access to YouTube to view this, just click on this link.
Here are some photographs of the event courtesy of Maureen Duffy.
AGM 2026
3 March 2026
At the AGM our Secretary for many years John Russell, who has seen us through some tough times and has been instrumental in the Branch having the success it has today, stood down after many years loyal service to members.
His successor is Ian Whitfield. We wish him every success with the challenging times to come for the Police Service and NARPO.
Our President, Dennis Glynn, received his Lifetime Membership reward.
John Cunningham and John Taylor were appointed to the committee.
Here are a few initial photographs from Julie Heaton
The members assemble, and enjoy the Treasurer releasing the purse strings.
Our Chair opens proceedings, we remember those no longer with us, and John introduces some humour into his final report as Secretary.
Our Treasurer outlining the state of our finances.
Chief Constable Rob Carden KPM, outlining his strategy
The following were supplied by John Russell.
From left to right Dennis Glynn (President), Ian Whitfield (new Secretary), Rob Carden KPM, Chief Constable, Anita Ashcroft QPM (Chair), John Russell (retiring Secretary)
The Chief Constable with John Russell
Dennis Glynn with his Life Membership Award
October Afternoon Tea 2025
A fabulous afternoon was had by all with plenty of entertainment, scones and chat…
Keep your eye’s peeled for the next gathering
Trip to Bakewell
A wonderful day was had meandering along the water….
Lookout for our next adventure in the near future.
NARPO Members Holiday
A week away was enjoyed in Cricket St. Thomas, look out for the next jolly!
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