General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

Whilst stationed at Lower Ince ... About 1987...a newly qualified Van and Panda driver...I couldn't wait to visit Morrison's car park on Makerfield Way..Higher Ince..why...I was on nights with my accomplice (Non Driver)...and it was Snowing...about 2am after taking our refs (Refreshment Break) I said to accomplice...reet...were off to Morrisons Car Park ..What for he said..."I'll Show thi". A massive car park without barriers...ideal for "Handbrake turns" in our Little Ford Fiesta. We had several skids and swirls...having a Jolly time...reet I said...one last Buggy....started off near Joe Threlfalls (RIP) house...got to roughly 20mph and yanked the handbrake and getting a full lock in....like Blackpool pleasure beach ride ..Marvellous...after about the tenth Pirouette my gaze was directed to a faint outline...WTF is that I said .....Wallop...a snow covered shopping Trolley right at the end of my slalom. Oh S*** I said...on resuming stability....broken headlight..dent in bonnet. High jump for me Lad I said...crept back to police station and fully admitted to my Sgt what I had done ...thanks for being honest he says...I can write this one off due to the weather conditions...After many apologies to my Sgt..I drove the car to Wigan HQ to defect the vehicle and left by the garage for subsequent repairs. . Beltin...got off with that one.... 4am. Summoned to Ince nick (Walking back from DHQ) got back at 5am to be met by Duty Inspector...Asked me was my account of the accident truthful and had I properly informed my Sgt if what I had done.. "Yes Sir...conducting property checks and due to poor visibility I accidently collided with a snow covered shopping trolley" Inspector asks me..was you aware that all vehicles were grounded at midnight due to the adverse weather conditions ? No Sir....A broadcast on the Radio was made at midnight...you and your Sgt will face the Chief Superintendent aTomorrow. We all must have missed that broadcast....as we were having a pint at the time in the Dover Lock Pub...