Former officer joins Barnstaple school reunion

The legendary Officer Dibble—yes, the very moniker inspired by the beloved cartoon Top Cat!

Well, fear not, for the real-life officer Stan Dibble is very much alive, thriving, and no doubt dusting off his regimental anecdotes in preparation for the illustrious Barnstaple Boys Secondary Modern School reunion at the Barnstaple Rugby Club on 7 June.

Stan, or "TC" as he was affectionately dubbed during his meteoric ascent through the police ranks, emerged as a constabulary force to be reckoned with in an era when Dixon of Dock Green and Z Cars illuminated the 12-inch monochrome screens of the day. 

For those uninitiated in such grand times, that was television at its finest—or so we were led to believe.

Stan's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. 

At 92, he remains a treasure trove of tales. 

His first foray into the working world involved bottling port at a local Barnstaple wine merchant—a noble yet intoxicating start.

Stan’s penchant for sampling his wares often rendered his cycle home a bit... precarious. It was National Service that rescued both his liver and his dignity, whisking him off to Egypt as a military policeman. 

There, he earned a £250 bounty on his head—a detail he relays with the nonchalance of one discussing the weather. 

One hopes he'll regale the old boys with that chapter on the evening!

By 1953, Stan had traded military fatigues for a constable's uniform in Okehampton, where his arresting charm captivated none other than the Okehampton Carnival Queen, who became his wife. 

Stan was posted to various locations in Devon whilst ascending the ranks: constable, inspector, chief inspector, and finally, superintendent. 

His days in Dartmouth, where he served for five years, read like something out of a royal chronicle—afternoons spent engaging with royalty, with on one occasion the Royal Yacht moored resplendently below the Naval College.

And yet, Stan’s career was not without its moments of levity. 

Over the years, he crossed paths with some of our alumni in courtrooms, notably sparring with former school student Mike Deakin over nightclub licenses. 

This year, these two will finally reunite to reminisce about those heady days. 

One imagines their repartee will be worth the price of admission alone.

To those hesitant about attending, thinking perhaps they’ve aged out of such revelries, think again. 

The "older boys" are living archives of wit, wisdom, and stories so rich in history they demand an audience. 

So, if you attended the school under the headships of Heppenstal or Blacksell, do come along on 7 June, 7pm at the Barnstaple Rugby Club. 

Sit among these venerable raconteurs and rediscover what “the older gents” were truly up to back in the day—it promises to be an evening for the annals.