NEPHS founded 1995

In 1995, a mixed group of individuals met at Durham Police Headquarters with one aim in mind, to preserve the history of the Police Forces in the North East of England. Thus was born the North Eastern Police History Society. In 1998, a member of the Durham Constabulary wrote to Headquarters, inquiring about the archives and memorabilia of the Durham Force. Eventually, a corporate decision was made by Durham Constabulary, who approached our Society and asked us to take on the task of the inventory of all the historical property, including documents, photographs, accoutrements etc. and eventually arrange a display in the foyer of the Police HQ. The task was taken on board by six of our members and it was decided that the first display would cover the early history of Durham County Constabulary from 1840 to 1902, the Victorian era of the Force. This was accomplished with the excellent co-operation of Mrs Anne Birtle, Librarian, Policy and Information, Durham Constabulary. We were inspired by an illuminated testimonial on vellum, which was presented to the Grandfather of one of our members in 1901, on the occasion of his leaving Boldon Colliery as a Police Sergeant, to go to another police district. The presentation was made by the grateful residents of the mining village and became one of the centre pieces of the display. The first display was in the walk-round display case with many items such as one of the first fabric helmet issued in 1866, truncheons issued during the reign of William IV, leg irons, documents and other items from that era. In addition, a display of photographs of Victorian County Police Officers, one of whom was Henry Binns, appointed Constable in 1893. We know that he was promoted to Sergeant before 1905, as the promotions were not published in the Chief Constable's Reports until that year and later, in 1912, he reached Inspector and retired on medical grounds at the age of 45 in 1913, worn out. When one thinks that the Victorian Policeman worked a 12 hour day, no days off and had to wear his uniform at all times, it is correct to say that ‘a policeman's lot was not a happy one'. The first display was then replaced by the history of the Force from 1902 until the outbreak of the Second World War called 'Trouble and Strife' which in turn was superseded by 'The War Years'. The Society is also involved in the indexing of the bound sets of 'Police Reviews' and 'Police Chronicles' in relation to the North Eastern Forces. These volumes were presented to Beamish North of England Open Air Museum by Durham Constabulary. The N.E.P.H.S. publishes a Journal, entitled "Crown to Crown" which contains information on the North East Forces including photographs, insignia information and other historical police-related matters. In addition a 'Newsletter' informs members of all activities taking place. There are basically four meetings a year with Guest Speakers. In 1998 the late Mr Taylor then Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary became our first Honorary President. Later, Lord MacKenzie of Framwellgate OBE accepted the appointment of Honorary President of the society and Mr G E Hedges, QPM, Chief Constable of Durham and Mr C Strachan, CBE, QPM, Chief Constable of Northumbria accepted the roles of Joint Vice Presidents. Since the retirement of Mr Hedgesand Mr P.T.Garvin Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary has accepted the role in his place. Since the retirements of our Joint Honorary Vice Presidents, Mr W Craik, QPM, Chief Constable of Northumbria and Mr John Stottard Chief Constable of Durham have agreed to join the Society. Because of the help and research facilities granted to the Society, Beamish North of England Open Air Museum was awarded Honorary Membership. During the year of 2001 Durham Constabulary carried out a modernisation programme of their Headquarters and in 2002 the society was informed there would be no display of Force history, everything to be dismantled and disposed of. You can imagine our dismay when it was said that the collection would be split up between the Galleries of Justice at Nottingham and Preston Park at Stockton in fact our Durham history was going to leave the area for good. It was with heavy heart that the remaining part of the collection was dismantled. A few ‘ears’ were bent and low and behold the Durham Police Collection was offered to and accepted by Beamish Museum. It was a marvellous feeling to be able to catalogue the collection (which I had been associated with for the past seven years) to the Beamish high standard. So many police museums throughout the UK have been dispensed with over the years. Losing our Police venues after certain closures we have been accepted by Beamish, to hold our meetings and we look forward to assisting with the preservation of our Police Heritage. Members of our society have themselves preserved history of individual past Forces and there is a wealth of information which we hope in time to deposit with the museum. This also includes a fantastic collection of photographs and nominal roles. Collections of the Society are now lodged at Beamish Resource Centre and deposited in Heritage Cubes under the control of the Society in the centre. Our aims are set out in the ‘Constitution’ of the North Eastern Police History Society, our continued expansion and informative role along with our ‘Journal’ and the addition of a web site means we are becoming renowned nation wide.