Villa accomodation in Amsterdam and Lake Lugarno, Italy.
Thanks to a kind offer from Lord Wolf of Barleugh and his family, NARPO members have FREE access to two of the family villas for an initial period up to September 2013. This offer is extended to Narpo Members only - Full details can be obtained by logging in to the Members only section of our website.

The 2011 Christmas Lunch will be held on Wednesday 14th December at The Manor Park, Clydach. 12.30 for 1pm. The Menu can be downloaded here. Cost is £10 per head to Members and £13.50 for non-member guests. NOTE: If you wish to attend then please phone Brian Jones on Tel: 01792-299762 indicating your preferences. Cheques to be made out to “NARPO - Swansea Branch “ and sent to Brian at 35 Moorside Road, West Cross, Swansea , SA3 5EZ. Raffle Prizes will be gratefully received. Thank you.

Note: To the various groups of members who meet socially - why not attend this year, we can arrange specific tables for you! If any member has travel difficulties in getting to Clydach then please contact any Committee Member and we will arrange to get you there.

Police pension increase
The annual reporting of the CPI, published October 18th for September 2011 confirms that the annual percentage increase for police pensions, 2012 will be 5.2%.

As from the 1st January 2012 the minimum subscription to join Narpo will be £18.48, this amounts to £1.54 per month. (Still a bargain)

Lack of Public Toilets
Dear colleagues,

My name is Iwan and I am the Communications Officer for Age Cymru.
I need your help to publicise the Welsh Senate Of Older People's 'P is for People' campaign and the day action against toilet closures at the Assembly on 16 November. Nancy Davies, Phyllis Preece and John Vincent are going to be representing WSOP in media interviews on 16 November. We also need someone who can talk about their own personal experiences of how a lack of toilets affects them in their daily life.

Maybe there aren't enough toilets in your local town centre, and you're worried about going shopping in case you get caught short? Perhaps you have to plan every journey away from home so that you have regular toilet stops? Whatever your experience, if you find that your daily life is affected by a lack of public toilets, and you'd be happy to talk publicly about this, please contact me on 029 2043 1562 for a chat. I can talk you through everything that speaking to the media may entail, as well as providing you with moral support and guidance.
If you are able to help, please contact me.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards
Iwan

Iwan Rhys Roberts
Communications Officer
Swyddog Cyfathrebu
029 2043 1562

Iwan.Roberts@agecymru.org.uk

NB. An ideal opportunity then to discuss introducing FREE Toilets at existing car parks at the same time.
After all, car parking fees are far too expensive and it would be nice to get something for our money!

Neighbourhood Watch Warnings
If you have got old folk living nearby or who may rely on you for advice, please try and warn them of the scams that are going on - dark evenings, an unhappy economic climate, quite a lot of con men out there and firework night approaching - advise them to put the chain on the door before opening it. If they have no chain, why not buy them one and fit it (Age UK will do so)

Keep safe
Eric Beetham (Newport Council)

Water Paintings
We have had a Water Paintings Gallery page for quite some time.
This has just been updated with 3 new paintings, kindly submitted by John Gronow.
New contributions are always welcome.

South Wales Police Band
A letter from Phil Pinnington

As you will probably know the South Wales Police Band is still going strong and is now 30 years old.
These days it is made up of serving Police Officers, Civilian Staff, retired Officers and Volunteers from the community. We are all now officially classed as 'Police Volunteers' and have been vetted accordingly. We have a page on the Bobby website which you could probably link too.

We perform all over the South Wales Area, parades - concerts, and most years have a trip away which are always successful and great fun. For example, Last weekend we went to Dorset and did a concert in Salisbury and parades in Bridport. At the beginning of October we are going to London to do a concert at Chelsea Hospital. In the past we have been to France, Belgium and Scotland. We rehearse once a month at Waterton in Bridgend and generally have at least one engagement each month.

We are at present in the position where we need to recruit more volunteers, both brass instrument players and drummers. Retired Police Officers would be most welcome because as representatives of the Police Service, they will already be aware of the standards of behaviour required. But the opportunity is open to all adults (17+), subject to vetting procedures and the ability to play the instrument. Many of us have returned to playing after many years, it's a bit like riding a bike. Also most of us play with another band as well.

I wonder if it would be possible for you to use the Swansea Narpo website and possibly the news-letter to reach members in the hope that some may fancy the idea of joining us. Or they may have a relative or friend who may be interested.

Kind Regards,

Phil Pinnington

PS. Do you have links with the Bridgend and Cardiff Narpo folk -
If so can you pass this on to them, it would be a great help.
9th September