Lentune Ladies enjoyed an amusing talk by Jackie Dimmock today, about her 30 years with The Hampshire Constabulary, illustrated by her extraordinary version of a PowerPoint presentation but this time in embroidery and collage! So no technical problems…….

Jackie’s stories were of her time in the Hampshire Constabulary between 1982 and 2011 when she retired after 30 years aged 55. Basic training was in Ashford, Kent so she could learn about theft, burglary, with role play of accidents and drunks. There was basic first aid and use of handcuffs, although the only time anyone willingly held out their hands to be cuffed was when they thought she was the stripper gram!

Posted to Newtown, Isle of Wight, she soon learnt the best places for nighttime tea stops – A&E departments and a local bakery. Issued with a torch, a large handbag and a radio she refused the truncheon and handcuffs as they would be much too difficult to find at the bottom of the handbag. Better by far to swing the handbag itself. Today’s stab vests weigh an incredible 28lbs and impede any chase. 

Once allowed out on patrol on her own, Jackie described night noises through open windows and screams that turned out to be foxes. The driving course taught her to double declutch, but her first outing in the panda car resulted in her driving the wrong way up a one way street. Things got more exciting with riot training and the use of shields and CS spray, which they were forced to experience themselves. 

Jackie’s collage and embroidery illustrating her talk were a delight to see and she told us that this was part one of a trilogy of talks. The audience were agog for more tales. 

The Ladies Probus thoroughly enjoyed this humorous and thought-provoking talk. Following the talk, they enjoyed a good lunch and chat with other members.