The Village Policeman
Norman Whalley was only employed as the village Bobby for a very short time, but he left a big impact on the youth of the time, so much that 65 years on they can still remember the registration number of his car: DRP 326.
It was at the same time the houses on Nassington Road (Sycamore Close) were completed that the Whalley family arrived in Woodnewton and took up residence at number 10: Norman, Rennie, his wife and their four children: Kathryn, Nicholas, Clifford and Steven.
ENLISTMENT PAPERWORK
From records we know that Norman was born in Stoke on Trent, but he spent most of his childhood and youth near Towcester in Northamptonshire. Hence the reason why, when he joined the Army in 1919, he enlisted at Northampton with the 1st Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment. Norman’s service of 7 years and 77 days in the Northamptonshire Regiment saw him spending five years of that time in Karachi in India
When Norman was discharged from the Army he joined the Northamptonshire Police Constabulary and this is recorded a being on the 1st February 1927. His first beat was at Guilsborough, where he ran the Police Station and lived in the police house with his wife and daughter. After also serving at Kettering, Norman ended up at Oundle Police Station on Beat 41, firstly living at Nassington before moving to Woodnewton in 1951
Although, Norman retired from the police force on 31st January 1952, his working career didn’t stop there; he joined the St John’s Approved School for Roman Catholic boys. This school was established in 1948 at Apethorpe Hall, Laundry Road, Apethorpe
One of the highlights of Norman’s time in Woodnewton must have been when his only daughter was married in July 1955.
Norman was very involved in Woodnewton activities, and was chairman of the British Legion for Woodnewton and Apethorpe. At the end of January 1957, the Branch held their annual dinner at Woodnewton, and Norman made the toast to the County Secretary, Mr Newbon and other visitors. Mr Newbon replying paid a tribute to Norman and his Secretary, Jimmy Chambers and the Branch members.
Norman’s three sons Nicholas all attended the village school whilst they were living in the village and were taught by Florence Hughes and Margaret Wegener. As the Whalley family were living in the new family houses, the boys were fortunate to have many school friends as neighbours.
It was in May 1958 that the family moved to live on St Mary’s Hill, Stamford as Norman had accepted employment with the Lord Mayor as his mace bearer.
Norman died in 1973.
2019
Picture shows Norman as the Mace Bearer parading on St Mary’s Hill, Stamford