Hello everyone,
Sorry it's been a few days since I have updated you all, but it's difficult to know what to say sometimes, especially when your brains' gone 'haddled'!
Just thought I would add one of Grace and Matts 'un-official' photos from the Howfener-you 'Wigan lot' seem to have missed the official ones, and we can't have you feeling left out.
Mark is a little more lucid than he was a few days ago, and isn't ready to shuffle off this mortal coil just yet! He is still very weak, and very tired. Just occasionally I get a glimpse of the Mark I know and love, but the drugs cloud his usual jolly self.
Mark reminded me to say 'well done' to the outgoing A Div Golf Society Captain-Stuart I believe, and 'good luck' to Andy Marron the incoming captain. Mark would have loved nothing better than to be there with you all on Weds, getting very wet no doubt, but unfortunately a higher being had other ideas...
This is a very tiring and strange time for us at the moment, so please forgive me if I don't update this as often, but rest assured, if there is any news to share, then I will. In the meantime, this has all gone a bit serious....if there are any untold stories of myth or mirth that haven't already been told of days on the 'A', or holidays in Ibiza (you know who you are), then continue to write and raise a smile.
Love to you all
Wendy, Mark, Matt and Gracie xxxx
Hi La Familia Bridges,
ReplyDeletenice to hear from you, Im sure all those tuning in sympathise that it may well often be difficult for you to find the energy and motivation to write on here in the circumstances...keep fighting Beau lad!!
Thinking of you all.
Lee J.
Thanks Lee, and also thanks to Larry in Aus for your texts and messages. We have family in Aus who are also following the blog, so you're not alone out there (Albany/Perth in the West)
ReplyDeleteWendy
Beau,your quality of character always shines through,exemplified by sending those salutations to the outgoing-incoming Golf peeps.Lets keep on going straight down the middle...Mike Duggan.
ReplyDeleteHi Beau, Wendy, Matt & Gracie
ReplyDeleteWe're still thinking of you all. You're right Wend, it has gone quiet on here so I hope you don't mind me sharing a little ode I wrote some years ago. It is based on a true story about a DS long since retired and is a tribute to the fine art of writing a Crime off from the comfort and safety of ones desk. It's called:
Lost, Not Stolen
Chief Constable, I feel compelled to write
One of your officers, Sergeant Hickens
Spoke to me on the phone last night
Regarding the theft of my ten chickens
I was pleased with his tone, very polite
He explained he had reached a conclusion
That perhaps there wasn't a theft outright
And no actual act of intrusion
I asked the Sergeant, how could this be?
The chickens had certainly gone
The scene was visited he said to me
The fence panels had big holes in one.
It is likely the chickens had wandered out
"Or should I say waddled", he joked
Two of his men had done house to house
And took time to make copious notes
"We have an eye witness", I was then told,
A Mrs Dunbar on the High Street
She'd sighted a fox, just two nights before
Though hand on heart couldn't swear to it
So Sergeant Hickens had to conclude
No evidence of theft was forthcoming.
Not stolen, but lost was how it was viewed
A strong chance they'll still be running.
If only the Sergeant had just let me bid
His theory was sadly quite lacking
I'd purchased the chickens for a few quid
Plucked, frozen and fresh in their packing!
Love and God Bless
Natalie xx
Hi Wendy, Mark,
ReplyDeleteCan't let Nat get away with yet another funny.
Her anecdote reminded of the infamous Malc Clarke, who, in the days of the paper crime report (thank God for shredders!) got one back from the equally infamous DCI John Dunne. The crime report was almost 5 months late in it's update submissions and JD had written on it;
"PC Clarke, I require a full and immediate update on this report of crime in respect of it's progress and the reason why it is almost five months past it's progress date."
Malcs reply started, " Dear Sir, doesn't time fly..........................!!"
Love to all the family and I hope these small contributions from everyone cheer Mark up.
Vinny.
Hi Mark Wendy Matt and Gracie
ReplyDeleteSome Newton Street memories;
Out in the panda from Newton Street one night an officer now of senior rank says to yours truly “do you know those people, they are pointing and waving at us”……”no haven’t a clue who they are”……half an hour or so later “you haven’t seen my helmet by any chance” yours truly replies “You left it on the roof of the car”.
The Supt coming into Newton Street at about 09.30 and finding Malc Waters in his slippers and wearing a cardigan, on being confronted about being improperly dressed for duty Malc replies calmly “ I just put the kettle on and I have some toast would you like some”. The exasperated Super storms off.
Jock Campbell on the desk……did anyone understand what he said.
Malc and Esther at the Crown and Anchor on Hilton Street.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brillo
Hi Beau,
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you are feeling much better.
Got your message from Pete re best wishes to Mel for his Captains' day at Hindley, Also your best for Mike Lord, the 2010 Captain.
We altered the prize to the table routine this year and we raised some more dosh for you to add to the money rasied at the Howfenner. About £200 will landing with you from Pete Giles.
Speaky won the day and so we didn't see him kicking off and wanting to fight everyone as he did last year at Frodsham !!
Everyone send best wishes.
More memories.
Trigger the almost blind paper seller at Piccadilly,
The BBC in Piccadilly , great brew spot.
DFS, Dannish Food Centre, where we all met up each 5am for a brew before signing off on nights.
Cloisters then Mixers,
Topicana,
Bluberrys,
Henrys bar,
PIPS then Thursdays,
Also fighting on Portland Street when Olly Clarke asked is we needed back up and you told him to "SOD OFF , this was fun!"
Great days.
keep up the fight.
Stu P.
Hi All...few more BSPS isms...
ReplyDeletetransmissions like "Jim the gate Alpha..theres fighting on Bootle Street"
Jimmy Spoons plying his trade on Market Street
Legionnaires disease in the mens showers!
The Sherpa van @ NSPS that handled like a skateboard..
The wheel clamper OB and John Ennis locked up for demanding money with menaces!!Quality!! (from a stranded lone female with no form of payment on her)
Billy Beddows being late one morning for an early knock..John Murray pointing out that Billys hair was all stuck up and he d have to smarten himself up if he was going out in public with him..prompting Billy to dip his hand in the water urn for a palm full of water to rectify the problem...the urn had very recently boiled!!
Steve Carters wind up on Alec Strachan following the arrest of an Iraninan diplomat for shoplifting.The incident caused ripples around the globe and Carter rang Alec Strachan purporting to be the high profile TV journailst John Cole (Steves top Northern Irish accent impression clinched it)and caused the flustering DI into a panic induced near coronorary!!
An unamed day reserve being beckoned to John Dunnes office to find him in deep conversation with the ill mannered Det Supt Jock Fairley..
JD "nip into Albert Sq will you son and grab us a copy of the Evening News?"
Day reserve "no problem" and returns with said item handing it to JD..as he leaves.. the eloquent Mr Fairley barks
"and wheres the F' ing tea?"..
Day reserve pops his head round corner of door and responds
"I ll go and check if you like..but I think you ll find he only sells papers"
Keep fighting Beau!
Thoughts are with all.
Lee J
Hi Beau!
ReplyDeleteDo you remember "Spy Hawk?" what a contraption that was. I recall that you were one of the initial pilots of the said vehicle when it first arrived at Bootle Street yard. It caused quite a stir whilst parked outside GMEX on concert nights, Piccadilly and other deemed "Hot Spot" areas.
It was state of the art and technologically advanced in its day, NOT! It brought a new meaning to conducting surveillance though. I thought I was Dr Who in his Tardis whilst operating the camera.
You were always one for innovative Policing and new methods of working.
Does anyone recall the case of the plain clothes inspector lost in action whilst chasing a "wanted" Salford gang member across the city. The now Supt. and I were carrying out a visit at a night club behind the Princess Hotel when the Supt decided he was going to make the arrest.
I thought it was best to wait for the cavalry to arrive but no... the arrest had to be made which resulted in an almighty rugby scrum with the bouncers who claimed afterwards not to realise that we were bobbies, despite being in the club on official business many times.
The Supt. to his credit managed to follow him to Ancoats but then his common sense got the better of him and self preservation kicked in.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Wendy, Matt, Gracie and of course you!
Best wishes,
Paolo.
Beau - Reckless Reynolds here - sending on my regards and sharing some good memories;
ReplyDeleteDid you ever get an invite back to Phil Gage's posh Rossendale Golf Club - on a street thefts outing there you were caught short on the 3rd fairway - there were plenty of dock leaves there thankfully (the club captain just missed you). It might have been caused by a bad curry from "This and That" the night before - 23 yrs on and i still go in that place. I have took some colleagues in who love it - others have walked in looked around then walked straight out. Its the same old fella serving up the rice and 3, he must be a millionaire now with the trade they get, he could afford a few tins of paint to brighten up the place - i always thought Soap Street was an ironic street name for a cafe which needed a good clean up.
I have loads of good memories of working with you at Bootle Street on A group and in Street thefts, you are a charming chap who made us all smile with your wit - and you are a good cop - be very proud of yourself you deserve it.
Our thoughts are with you Andy, Jo and the kids.
Morning Mark, (Wendy Mat and Gracie)
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad you are recovering some of your strength, hope it continues.
Nat’s brilliant ode to the lost creative art of recording ‘no crime’ (where does she find the time?) got me thinking about my first few weeks as an aid at Bootle Street. In those days, as you know, we (the aids) had to write on every single paper crime, so, being able to justify that the events reported on a crime that had landed on your desk had actually occurred by dint of accident or nature’s intervention was considered to be a result (of sorts) i.e. the stock response to a criminal damage at a shop premises;
“Yes sir, I appreciate your shop window is broken but there is no evidence that it occurred through criminal intervention it could just as easily have been a loose chipping thrown up from the road by a passing motor vehicle?”
Yeah right!
I remember one slightly different example from when I was a very new aid in the office that may amuse you; the final write off is not original but the victim made delivering the assessment of the report interesting!
I was lucky enough to pick up a crime for theft of washing from an address in the Camp Street area of the city. Virtually unheard of in those days when there were hardly any residents on our patch. The victim in question was a prominent but, sadly, now deceased, local female thespian, who enjoyed a glass or two and even then, in her sixties, was something of a man eater.
It appears, that having finished filming for the day, the lady in question hand washed her delicate smalls and pegged them out in her tiny back garden to dry au natural. She was absolutely mortified when she got up the following morning to find her finest Jeager flimsy’s missing in action.
I chose to conduct a scene visit and victim interview one quiet Sunday morning. I found my victim a little the worse for wear and looking somewhat dishevelled following an evening in the company of a slightly younger man (about half her age.)
Having ascertained that she did not have any evidence to negate my hypothesis I promptly informed her that it was likely her lingerie had simply sailed away on the moderate to fresh south westerly breeze that had prevailed on the evening in question. Thank you Michael Fish!
It's fair to say she was less than impressed with my assessment of events but soon recovered her composure, offering to show me the replacement garments if I cared to join her and her new friend for some R + R. I beat a none to gallant and very hasty retreat, much to her amusement.
Keeping you all in our thoughts.
Back soon
Gaz
Hello everyone!
ReplyDeleteTurning the clock back a little further, my thoughts go to Bruche. Come on, you remember Bruche - Butlins meets Colditz. I was fortunate enough to be incarcerated there with the lovely Messrs Ennis and Sutcliffe and here are some randoms:
Sgt "Drill" Hill - personality nil.
Compass catering - black bits in the chips.
Dining In Night - the only square meal we had in 15 weeks.
Jack's Plaque
Doing the 100 yard dash from Swimming lesson to next lesson.
Sgt Machin and his "extra lessons for weak swimmers" (funny they were all female).
Quiet Time (6.30 til 8?)
Which of you lads stayed in The Snake Pit?
Thompson Grove
Disco Night on Thursday
Bulled shoes
Bruche issue PE kit (previously worn - I looked like a St Trinian)
The crackling record played through the tannoy system for Parade.
The swotty students who were in The Colour Party.
Eyeeees Right!
"Stay Press" creases
And not forgetting... every in-take had a number of "disgraced students". On mine alone we had:
A P.W. who coughed on her fist day (unwittingly) that she had travelled up in her car whilst fraulently using a tax disc.
A Peeping Tom who was caught in the act, and "strongly advised" before being returned to division.
Another mad P.W. who was kicked out because she could not go more than a few hours without exposing her babylons.
And finally, not disgraceful but hugely embarrassing.... yours truly getting stuck fast in a pair of handcuffs (I can explain), and inspite of several attempts to be freed had to be cut out of them by the local Fire Brigade!! - Drill Hill almost had a thrombie!
Love to you all, God Bless,
Natalie xx