RAY Gibbon, an old friend of these columns’, is the latest to write an autobiographical account of his time as a policeman.

Though the force field has become quite crowded, the policeman’s lot familiar, there’s a difference. Ray’s is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth – well, almost nothing – and not a fictionalised fantasy based on insubstantial evidence.

Times change. “We did not have armed protection units or rapid response vehicles,” one chapter begins.

“We did have a Humber Hawk saloon, side valve, and an Austin van, but neither could be described as rapid.”

Ray was a Witton Park lad – “the posh end,” he once recalled – worked on a farm, joined Durham Constabulary in 1956 in the days when a young polliss might receive a superintendent’s caution (as he did in West Hartlepool) for straying ten yards off his beat.

He served in Ferryhill – watching over royal trains a speciality – at Witton Gilbert, where still he lives, and as sergeant in charge of the dog section at Whickham, near Gateshead.

His dog was called Rebel; they were mates.

“A fine policeman and a superb dog handler,” writes Jon Stoddart, Durham’s present chief constable, in the foreword.

He served for 28 years, only three times involved in firearms incidents.

Many of his stories are of what Dixon of Dock Green called an ordinary copper just patrolling his beat, and all the more fascinating, and more credible, for it.

Ray’s now 80, was Mayor of Durham seven years ago, has been a Methodist local preacher for more than 40 years.

Though his account’s never remotely sanctimonious, his background occasionally shows. “The good book tells us that God cares for sparrows but take it from me, he also works miracles with big, clumsy lovable dogs and single, retired headmistresses.”

That’s another story: best buy the book.

■ The Way it Was by Ray Gibbon is published (£8.95) by The Memoir Club, Arya House, Langley Park, Durham DH7 9XE.

HAMMER blow, as it were, one of the region’s best known and longest established auctioneering houses holds its last sale at the end of June.

G H Edkins and Sons has been in Bishop Auckland since 1907. “I’m just not up to it any longer and there’s no one to take my place,” says Denis Edkins, 81-year-old grandson of the founder.

George Edkins moved north from Redditch, working at a fishing tackle shop before starting his business.

Denis, a former town councillor, joined after leaving the RAF in 1949.

Lots of especial interest have included the contents of Butterknowle Brewery, of St George’s church in Billy Row, Crook, a vast collection of Star Wars figures and, his favourite, the fixtures and fittings of Brancepeth army camp, near Durham.

“I didn’t used to like the auctioneering side but when I became more involved I enjoyed it, probably meeting so many people,” says Denis, now living in Redcar.

Sales have recently been run by his colleagues Sharon Carrick.

“She’s very good,” he says.

WHEN last we left Joe Queening he was in Barnard Castle, running with full pack from Land’s End to John O’ Groats to raise money for the Help For Heroes fund. By Tuesday evening, ten days later, he was 25 miles south of Inverness.

“It’s going fine, but I’m trying to get through it by Saturday. It’s about time it was done with,” he says. The Scots, says Joe, have been most generous.

We also hear that the magnificent Mike Findley, last year’s Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, is organising a Help for Heroes concert – featuring the Cleveland Police Band – on June 4 (7.45pm), at the Coatham Bowl in Redcar.

Tickets are £3, available on the door. “I’d love to sell 500, but half that would be great,” says Mike, heroic himself.

That cause would yet more greatly have been boosted had not last week’s column had a dot too many in the address to which Joe Queening admirers can give. It’s justgiving.com /LEJOGQueening …and finally, a reminder of two church flower festivals – at Holy Trinity, Wingate and at St Aidan’s, Chilton, this weekend.

The Wingate festival, also marking the church’s patronal festival, will be on the theme of wedding anniversaries.

“We hope to have a display for every one,” says the Reverend Roger Davis, the vicar.

Both that and the Chilton festival have launch evenings tomorrow and will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and after morning service on Sunday.