Retired Officers Association

Since the late 1980’s, when a number of retired officers made it known that they wished to maintain contact with their ex-colleagues’ and friend’s, the Retired Officers Association has grown in strength.  Over those years the Retired Officers Association has upheld the original objectives set over thirty years ago.  That being to continue the friendship and comradeship amongst retired MDP Officers, offering advice and help where sought.

The elected committee meet four times a year, one of which being the AGM.  The AGM is run in conjunction with the Annual Reunion and held at various locations throughout mainland UK.  Each year we gather at the chosen location and enjoy a harmonious, long weekend in each other’s company.  Many meet old colleagues, make new friends, and quickly discover that they have much in common.

Having joined MDP almost all of us found that it was not an ordinary job, or just a job.  We joined, we belonged, and we became part of it. This sense of belonging remains with many of us even in retirement, as all retired officers still regard MDP as their Force.  We maintain, through our MDP Liaison Officer, a close attachment with the Force and that officer attends our quarterly meetings.  CCMDP accepts the invitation as our Honorary President and he values the important role offered by the Retired Officers Association.  Each year he attends the AGM/Annual Reunion, giving a briefing on the state of the Force and willing to take questions from the floor. Regular communication is kept up using the Force in-house magazine, ‘Talk Through’ and our own ROA news letter.

The Retired Officers Association also has very close links with the DPF and is very grateful for the valuable assistance given.  Members can benefit through the Retired Officers Association web pages that are hosted by the DPF Website for which we are extremely grateful.  Through this we are able to offer members free initial legal advice and travel insurance, plus several others benefits.  The Chairman regularly attends the AGM/Annual Reunion and briefs all attendees on the work of the DPF.

We, in the Retired Officers Association, continue in the spirit of being ex-colleagues’.  No rank. No rancour.  We are all proud of the part we each have played whilst serving in MDP.  Now is the time in our lives to reflect on our individual careers, the good, the bad and the fun, sharing it and supporting each other.  I therefore encourage and welcome all those about to retire or ex-MDP to join The Retired Officers Association. I look forward to meeting you and enjoying your company.

Geoff Heal

ROA Chairman

ROA News Alerts

29/06/2020

We are sorry to announce the cancellation of our 2020 AGM/Reunion for the reasons outlined in letter by Chairman, Geoff Heal.

Please click here to read the Chairmans letter.

Talk Through

We are unable to circulate the latest edition of the Force Magazine ‘Talk Through’ however it can be accessed on-line via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/talk-through-magazines

Membership Services

We are sorry to announce that Hoseasons and Cottages.com have terminated their agreement with us. The company have told us that owing to the coronavirus pandemic they have decided to rationalise their business and cease working with any partner that doesn’t meet certain volume thresholds.

The Charity for Civil Servants: here for you

The Charity for Civil Servants supports all civil servants, past and present, throughout their lives, when times are tough, listening without judgement and offering practical, financial and emotional support. And they really do help with whatever problems you may have. 

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ROA News & Alerts

 

Chairman’s Brief to ROA Members

30/03/2020

I feel that in these very difficult times I should update members on matters currently impacting on the ROA.

The first very unpleasant task is to inform you all that our Treasurer Peter Haddock passed away very suddenly in Tenerife, on Monday 23rd March 2020, having suffered two strokes.  Peter always spent several months during the winter in Tenerife.   Peter was cremated on Friday 27th March and his ashes will be returned to the UK in due course when the family hope to hold a memorial service for him.  I will try and keep you informed on these as and when I am made aware   He will be greatly missed by all, especially myself and he does leave a huge gap in the Committee.  His enthusiasm and drive to his task was outstanding.

Ken Hicks has stepped forward and stated that he will undertake the task of Treasurer.  Thank you very much Ken you are a pillar of strength.

I know that some of you are very concerned in respect to the Coronavirus outbreak and its effect on our AGM/Reunion in Harrogate.  I share your concerns and have contacted the hotel to see where we stand in respect to our contract with them.  The lady whom I am dealing with has come back to me and stated that under the terms of our contract we can cancel up to 28 days prior to the event.  I do not at this stage want to have a knee jerk reaction as I am hoping that this pandemic will have dissipated by September at the latest.

As of today I have 26 members who have applied.  The numbers at this point in time are well down on previous years and I understand the reason, but we cannot run our AGM/Reunion on such numbers.   Therefore, I have decided that the closing date of 1st May 2020 will be extended.  I have until the beginning of September 2020 to make a decision.  I do not want to cancel outright and have said to the hotel that should this pandemic continue well into the summer then I will postpone the 2020 AGM/Reunion until Oct 2021 and still go to the Crowne Plaza, Harrogate.  I feel that the hotel is under these circumstances being more than fair with us, so I want to be fair to them.  This would be an unprecedented step never taken before, but in today’s climate I must think of the Association and its members

The date as stated on the Application for final payment is the 1st August 2020 and I am prepared to accept full payment up to that date, forsaking the deposit payment date.  This, should the AGM/Reunion go ahead, allow me time to collate names, bank cheques, forward list of those attending to the hotel, complete the Programme and write a speech.   I hope that you all bear with me on this matter and I know that if I have to cancel then it is out with our Constitution, but we are living in very strange times.

The Association has, some years ago, almost had to close down due to lack of funds.  Thankfully, we are not currently in that situation.   Having said that we do not have extensive amounts in our bank account and it must be managed with care. We do our best to keep the cost as low as we can get it and therefore my message is we, the Committee, are working hard to keep the ROA going with whatever support and advice we can offer, but we cannot do it without your support.

Both myself and Jenny hope that you all stay safe and healthy.  We look forward to seeing as many of you as can make in Harrogate.  If anyone has any queries or concerns then myself or David King are here.

Geoff Heal  Chairman MDP ROA

Annual Contribution

A reminder from our Membership Secretary that in addition to the Life Membership fee of £20, there is an annual contribution of £5 per family household payable to the association.

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