Local Bobbies Book Gives Up Some Great Stories of The Dengie 100 and a few of Burnham

Who is A.C Suttling?  He is Tony Suttling who as you may notice from the uniform was a police officer and he served Tillingham and the Dengie 100 for 17 years, so some of you may remember him.

I like finding out about our local history and whilst looking for a book to take out to my cousin in Canada, I came across his and purchased it and it arrived whilst I was away, so i only got to read it last week but oh what a book.

Unfortunately Mr Suttling passed only a couple of months ago on  the 16th July 2016 aged 90 leaving his widow Jean and son Dana.


But not before writing his stories of a Bobby on the Beat in the Dengie 100 down on paper which we should all be thankful for as its a glimpse into history. Amazon.

And at near on £20 with postage was one of the most expensive books I've purchased in quite a while, but well worth it.

It was a shame when I entered his name into Google and found out he'd died recently as he was quite a remarkable man as I gathered quite a bit from the book but other stories came to light which put him in an even greater light as you'll see for yourselves soon enough.

There are 63 stories in the book and Ill share a few with you in the coming days as like I said the book is expensive and only 2 second hand copies left available through 3rd party sellers on Amazon and the book isn't showing up anywhere else on Google and it doesn't have a date of publishing but I think it was in last 10 years or so.

Tillingham, Where the Blazes is Tillingham - Stories of a British Bobby on the Beat 1954-70 is the first post I've put together and if you want to read before it goes onto Facebook then click the link above.

Also if you might have a few hours to spare in a week or a month and feel like doing some volunteer work that could lead to a job then click the link here http://thisisburnham.blogspot.co.uk/p/help-required.html 

Tillingham, Where the Blazes is Tillingham - Stories of a British Bobby on the Beat 1954-70 | 1

Tillingham, Where the Blazes is Tillingham - Stories of a British Bobby on the Beat 1954-70

PC Suttling was a local police officer serving Tillingham and the Dengie who sadly passed this year.

Way back in 1950 I was stationed in Maldon my previous station be in Upminster Essex at the beginning of 1954 I was asked by my inspector Tommy rose I was interested in becoming a village policeman, being stationed at telling him where new police house had been built.

I would be responsible for law-enforcement the number of villages within the Dengie peninsula he informed me that he had observed my work whilst at Maldon and my manner in dealing with the public, also my attention to my smartness of dress also I knew how to look after myself as an ex-royal Marine commando.

I was told to discuss the offer with my wife Jean and if she agreed the job was mine.
At this time we were living in the old workhouse on Markethill in Maldon and the prospect of a new house was overwhelming and I accepted the offer my advanced first-aid certificate had expired so inspector Rose took me in his car to sit my exams by Dr Emmeric at Witham by appointment.

The exam was tough dealing with maternity but mostly covering all incidents likely to happen when the doctor would be likely to attend. 

The questions came thick and fast and he must've been satisfied because he said well done you've passed (many years later we became good friends because you're being my regular visits to his Masonic Lodge).

In the years following this I was glad that I had obtained a good pass in advanced first aid which in my opinion saved a number of lives. 

Now were the blazes is Tillingham, I had a rough idea, but had never been there. Borrowing a car from Eric Ruggles a garage proprietor, my wife and I set out to investigate the area and have a look at the police house which was receiving its final completion.

What seemed like hours travelling along the country roads seeing no traffic or humans only sheep and cows, we arrived at the bottom of Saint Lawrence Hill where we saw a stray dog, perhaps there is live here after all.

Following the signpost to Tillingham,another 3-4 miles we entered Tillingham Village.

Following the directions we had been given we turned into vicarage Lane, at its junction with the Cap and Feathers Public house, another hundred yards was for police house.

A brand-new house, country line, no through road, overlooking the playing fields, village school close by, what more could one ask for.

We left the scene returning home and looking forward to occupying the house. 
This was delayed for a few weeks owing to me having my appendix out.

Later, I  returned to the house and saw the chairman of the council, Norman Kemp and his friend Billy Proctor looking at the house. 

I joined them and remarked how good the police house looked and Norman agreed but added that they had never had a copper stationed in the village before, and didn't want one, so why did they want one now, as they were quite capable of looking after themselves.

I must point out that I was wearing civilian clothes at the time. Oh dear me I thought I'm in for a rough time.

Well, words to that effect. It was at this point that I introduced myself and after the initial shock decided to use diplomacy and loads of bull flannel, which I've been told I'm good at, to win them over.

I informed them that my appointment was only for two years (it turned out to be 17) and that my family and I wished to become part of the local community and would have to call upon them for advice and help.

I must have won them over for the hand of friendship was offered and accepted. 
From that time onwards that bond was never questioned or broken and we became good friends. Shortly afterwards we moved in, staying 17 years.

It must have been a new experience to many residents that a policeman was going to live amongst them for the first time in their lives. 

Before moving in I had to measure the size of the rooms etc, which meant a number of visits and bringing a number of small articles.

I had already been introduced to a couple of residents, otherwise I was not known.

As I wanted a drink and something to eat I visited the Cap and Feathers Public House which was close by.

I don't think the locals had much to talk about except what the new copper was going to be like.

I was enjoying myself listening to the conversation at the same time enjoying my drink and sandwich.

When I had finished and before leaving I got up and said to about two dozen customers that I'd enjoyed their company and as I opened the door to leave said "Good night gentleman oh and by the way, I'm your new copper", followed by stunned silence.

Although it was a new experience for the residents it was a new experience for me that I alone was responsible for maintaining law and order in with Dengie Peninsula consisting of six villages.

I need not have worried because everyone was friendly and offered their help and advice if I needed it.

My first job was to make myself known in all the villages, which i commenced to do. Firstly was the Doctors, Vicars, Headmasters and all the local Councillors, but in general everyone I met.

My transport was my pedal cycle which gave me an opportunity to stop and chat to people. 
I never refused an invite to have a cup of coffee or tea, sometimes even a biscuit.

This is a very good account of the life not just of a british bobby but life in the 50s and 60s

A police officer now days couldn't do what PC Suttling done in many cases which was use his common sense and his own judgement.

He was part of the community and they trusted him which is a lot of whats wrong with the police of today. when in Burnham or the Dengie do we see a police officer walking the beat the answer is never, there only here with there blue lights flashing if theres a really major incident otherwise were on our own.

And don't get me started on there attitude and non convictions for burglaries which in itself is criminal and they should be bought to task about which I believe my friend Crissy Morris does regularly at the monthly public meeting with the regional head of police.

If you'd like to purchase this self published book then click the link here http://amzn.to/2dZFRew but if you wait I'm going to talk to his family and look at getting it re published using Amazon self publishing which should get it to a much wider audience.

If you've made it this far down and have an interest what goes on in local life and would like to get involved with This is Burnham in a volunteer or paid capacity then please click the link here http://thisisburnham.blogspot.co.uk/p/help-required.html

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