News

The RIPA TIMES
The meeting at La Pergola we are told, went with a swing once more. Members who attended reported enjoying the visit again. We are waiting for a report as we speak and will add further details as soon as we get it.
The visit to the Forest Hills Hotel went with a swing and we offer many thanks to the members of Cheshire Branch for their efforts. The meeting went well and we met our guest from Spain, who had toured North Africa with Moto for Peace, a motorcycling organisation which works hard and is very professional in its fund raising and ability to raise sponsorship. The evening's entertainment was joined by a hen party from the next room who heard the music and saw an empty dance floor, but nobody has said they minded. The new Secretary General, whilst pleading that he "knows nothin.....g" (yet) made it clear that he has the drive and determination to drive the organisation forward and attract more and younger members. We got the idea that he wants to preserve the good things about the club, but attract more, and younger members to sharpen the club's performance. .
It is with great regret we announce the passing of Marjorie Troop, the wife of the late Arthur Troop, the organisations founder. Marjorie died following a short illness, she was 85 years old. The condolences and best wishes of the Rochdale and District club members goes out to her family.

WHAT a nice way to hold a meeting! A pretty hotel/restaurant high on the moors, accompanied by a substantial Sunday dinner. The smiling faces show that the roasts and luverly puddings went down a treat.	La Pergola!
Bruche PTC closes	Our members are Police and Ex Police, and they will all have attended Bruche PTC for their Initial training, because from 1946 the whole region was done on those hallowed acres. 'Jack's Plaque', Dining in nights, laughter and tears.., and class instructors almost invariably remembered by their charges. It closed today. (26th May). Drill was dispensed with some time ago but the students put together a traditional passing out parade for their families and guests. The management provided a band and Police horses from GMP and Merseyside. Nostalgia? Of course it was a nostalgic occasion, but what made it sad for those who had worked there, and returned, was the loss to Police Training. Gone now is the 'regimental' mutual support and that much maligned Police culture, yet the uniforms and equipment are much more military, and the methods more aggressive because our new young colleagues have so much more to put up with. Yep, those of us who worked there will miss the place. A lot. (Pictures to follow)
The No.2 Region Golf Society celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2007. To mark this momentous occasion it is intended to hold a Golf Tournament within N. Ireland to celebrate. It is hoped that all 11 British Regions and Irish Sections will support us on this occasion by sending a few golfers to take part in this tournament. As you will appreciate this will take quite a bit of organisation as we intend to offer a package to include accommodation, (if required) Golf and evening prize giving and entertainment. We are aiming to hold this event in Bangor which is a suitable distance for non golfing wives to shop and is also a short distance from Belfast for more serious shoppers. It is intended to hold this event in late May 2007 and we would be very grateful if you could forward names and/or numbers of persons who which to take part or just come along for the "Craic". We hope to obtain local sponsorship for this event to help keep the cost to a minimum. Further details of this event will be sent to you in due course and will contain exact dates, venue, accommodation and cost. Replies please to Jim Coulter, 42 Towerview Crescent, Bangor, Co.Down, Nth Ireland, BT19 6BA Jim Coulter, Hon Secretary	Golfing Anniversary
A trip down t'canal!	It's been suggested we look at arranging a boat trip down the Manchester Ship Canal. Sailing from Manchester to Liverpool under the Runcorn Bridge, then back by coach. Just let the Secretary know if you are interested!
Take a look at the Events page for details of all the Biker Meeting in Munster. We have published the details we have for those of you who are interested in riding down the leisurely autobahns (:) ) to a beautiful part of the world. It's cheap too!	IPA Bikers Gather in Munster..
New Committee for Rochdale
After a lengthy period of time with the same committee there have been some major changes recently. Bill has moved to Bolton branch to take over the Chair. Laurie Fullelove took over as secretary but found he couldn't give the job the time he would want, so Vice Chairman Neil Baldwin has taken over that most onerous of jobs. New member Harry Shaw has been persuaded to take over as Vice Chairman, and has provided this website for us.	(A Photo will be placed here very soon.)
	A little bit more history as the then Vice Chairman of the Northern region presents flowers to our founder's wife.
Neil and Tony looking very young with Arthur Troop in 1997. Please don't mention that Tony's hair is now as grey as Arthur's was then....