The Autumn Chichester Group meeting hosted by Arlington W.I. had a lively and interesting speaker in Simon Dell, a police historian, author and lecturer. He was a regular police officer for 34 years before applying for a job that had been civilianised and worked for the police for 5 days a week. He writes history books in aid of the widows and orphans society. He worked at Tavistock and Princetown.Watchmen were created 1860 which could be said to be the start of Neighbourhood Watch. In 1361 parish constables were created. He showed us old style hand-cuffs which took some time to activate with the key. Another version was the snitch and loop, twisted round to secure the criminal. The Bow Street Runners were like the modern CID, with no uniform. The saying ?To be knocked off by the Old Bill? was a result of being touched on the shoulder by the old tipstaff. The Irish Constabulary was set up bt Robert Peel and he was brought over to England to create a police force, known as the Peelers. They had tall hats reinforced by metal rods so could be stood on to see over crowds. In 1884 whistles were introduced and he demonstrated the old police rattle. In 1914 the first female officer was brought in at Gretna for the munitions factory. 1870 was the last recorded use of the stocks. Penzance had the centre of their badge as St. John?s head, as translated, Penzance meant Head of the Saint. This was later changed. Accompanying the talk was an amusing slide show of old photos. Devon and Cornwall was amalgamated as a police force in 1966. Refreshments were followed by a monologue from Joan Homewood by a fictitious Mrs. Merryweather. A table quiz on sweets was won by a Loxhore W.I. table. They also did well in the draw. The vote of thanks to Arlington was given by Kentisbury where it was stated that the Spring Group Meeting would be on Monday 19th April, at Kentisbury.*****************************************************************************************************************PCC Minutes. The East Down carol service will be on the Sunday before Christmas, December 20th at 3pm.The Christmas midnight communion service will be at East Down Church at 11.30 pmThe next meeting has been arranged for Wednesday January 13th at 7.30pm.Ann Norton.
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