Diana’s Journey: From Policing London Streets to Reliving Classics at Chartwell House
Chartwell House was filled with the sparkle of polished chrome, the gentle hum of engines, and the unmistakable buzz of community spirit as we proudly hosted our third annual Classic Car Show in collaboration with Ramsgate Car Club and Academy FM.
The day was a wonderful celebration of automotive history, nostalgia, and togetherness, with residents, families, car enthusiasts, and visitors coming together to admire the stunning array of classic cars but also exciting new additions, including vintage Vespas and Lambrettas. Laughter and stories echoed through the home, as each car seemed to unlock memories from decades past.
But perhaps the most remarkable story of the day belonged to one of our very own residents, Diana.
Diana’s Story: From the Force to the Fast Lane
Diana has lived an extraordinary life, serving with the Metropolitan Police for over three decades from 12th March 1962 until 4th December 1998, after joining the force on her 21st birthday. In recognition of her dedication, she was proudly awarded her Long Service Medal on 30th April 1984.
Breaking barriers at a time when women in policing were still a rarity, Diana became one of the first female road traffic officers, achieving Class One rider status on her Triumph motorbike on 14th July 1961. Her courage and skill made her a role model for those who followed.
In the 1970s, Diana was among the first women trusted with the brand-new MGB police cars, introduced on 26th March 1973. One of her vehicles – with the now-iconic registration FLY – even featured in a Daily Mail story at the time, highlighting her pioneering role. Later, another MGB she drove proudly carried the registration KGC499D.
Her distinguished career also took her to moments of national pride, including being invited by Her Majesty the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to the Silver Jubilee celebrations on 26th May 1977.
Beyond her frontline service, Diana became a police instructor, training other officers in specialist skills – including how to recognise children and young women in distress, how to sensitively question them, and the importance of working closely with Social Services. This invaluable training helped shape a generation of officers to better protect vulnerable members of society.
Among the many stories Diana recalls from her time on the force are moments of bravery and humour: rescuing a stray horse wandering the North Circular, and her very first arrest – a 6ft 6” soldier who had gone AWOL, which left her and her partner with the tricky task of folding him into the back seat of a tiny MGB roadster!
A Day of Memories Rekindled
At this year’s Classic Car Show, Diana’s memories came to life once again when she was reunited with a vintage police car much like the one, she had once patrolled London’s streets in. The sight of it brought back a flood of emotions and stories, which she joyfully shared with fellow residents and visitors.
Diana had a very emotional and enjoyable time seeing the car, and once again it brought to the fore lots of wonderful memories for her. When asked what sort of speeds she reached whilst patrolling in the soft-top sports car, she laughed and said: “Well put it this way, I lost lots of hats and often had to return to base for a new one.”
Her tales sparked lively conversations, particularly within our Nostalgia Community, dedicated to residents living with dementia, where the cars, sounds and stories stirred treasured memories for many.
A Celebration Beyond Cars
What made this Classic Car Show so special wasn’t just the gleaming vehicles, but the way they connected generations, sparked conversations, and reminded us that history lives on through the people who share it.
Diana’s story is a shining example of this. A life of service, adventure, and pioneering spirit, now celebrated anew among friends and family at Chartwell House.
