Dates For Your Diary
Group Meeting
Potential for Group Meeting in July
First Aid course
Being planned for post COVID-19 lockdown - not before 21 Jun.
Skillshare
We will start again in May 2021
COVID Secure monthly Bike Ride-Outs on the 3rd Saturday of every even numbered month and the 3rd Sunday of every odd numbered Month. Email will be sent out to Bikers and added to the Forum.
On hold until further notice.
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Do you have a topic you would like discussed, or know of an interesting speaker? Please contact Les Brown at speakers@wiltshireroadar.co.uk |
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following members who have passed their Advanced Tests recently:
Welcome
Please welcome the following to the Group:
Emma Baxter - Bike
Darren Burton - Bike
Mark Elderfield - Car
Ruth Slader - Car |
Don’t forget that we have a range of clothing available to purchase. We also offer a range of books, such as Roadcraft, Motorcycle Roadcraft and the Highway Code, and these are available at discounted prices.
For more information visit the Merchandise page of our web site at www.wiltshireroadar.co.uk. |
We are always looking for more articles, ideas and news for the newsletter. Have you been somewhere interesting recently that would make a good story? If you attend any group events then take a camera and send us your pictures!
Please forward all contributions to newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk |
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We're now on
Facebook
AND
Twitter! |
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It is with great sadness I must inform you of the passing of one of our founder Members, Chris Gleed. He had been quite ill for a while, but his death was not expected. I have written to his Wife Carol on behalf of the Group to extend our condolences.
Les Brown remembers him thus:
Chris and I had known each other for thirty-five ish years.
We met at Swindon IAM, where he quickly became an active Observer, Senior Observer, Chief Observer, Masters Mentor, Associate Co-ordinator and undertook various committee positions over the years.
He was one of the four founding members of the Wiltshire RoADAR group. Again, becoming a Tutor, Advanced Tutor and then Senior Tutor. Also, he held most (if not all) of the committee posts at some point or other.
We were both active members of AIRSO and enjoyed many trips to various conferences all around the country together critiquing, with lots of laughter, each other’s driving on the way.
I shall miss his gentle good humour, friendliness and helpfulness to anyone who needed it. He was the font of all knowledge on all things driving related and had a pernickety eye for detail.
It was a privilege to have known him.
Les Brown
Chris was passionate about advanced driving and did everything in his power to keep his standards as high as possible. I think it is safe to say Wiltshire RoADAR would not be the Group it is today without his effort and commitment.
He had held every official position and his thoroughness was well renown; he was often the one leading a lively debate at Monthly meetings. He will have mentored many people to achieve the highest standard possible and this desire to help was not limited to advanced driving; he was also the secretary of his local Karate club for many years. He was a true altruist.
Chris’ passion for the group did not diminish when he left the Committee and he often proposed technical articles for the Newsletter. He was also a stalwart in supporting the in-place committee and I had many messages from him offering advice or just thanks for what we were doing. Chris was also the very first person to be made a life-time member of the Group.
Many of us will have our own memories of Chris, we will miss him.
Bob Fram
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The Glorious 12th is fast approaching! No, not the grouse shooting season, but the 12th April when we are planning to resume tutoring again though this depends on both associate and tutor agreeing its ok; and of course that the government’s lockdown easing plans come to fruition!
Hopefully this year sees a return to more usual activities including our monthly rideouts, SkillShare days, trips and of course, our regular group meetings in Liddington.
Based on the current Covid plans, our first group meeting will be in July which will be a catch-up with old friends and meet some new joiners too. It will be nice to chat over a cuppa tea or coffee to see how everyone has fared over the past year or so.
The Committee has been busy meeting regularly via Teams and contacting HQ for advice. Noticeably, where possible, hair has gotten longer.
From March 29th, it should be possible to meet in groups of 6, so our rideouts will resume in April. Pre-booking is strongly advised and protocol rules will remain in place.
As a reminder, the Government Roadmap gives us some timelines as to when activity can re commence. We will plan for the following:
No activity until we move into Step 2 (not before 12 April) existing risk assessments and protocols are sufficient:
Bike tutoring can recommence from 12 April - no meeting indoors
First Bike ride out - 3rd weekend of April; rule of 6 applies. Meeting outside only.
First SkillShare on 1 May - rule of 6 applies so pre booking and meeting outside only.
Car tutoring – we are waiting for more information but may be possible in step 2 if both tutor and associate are happy. We will follow the lead of DVSA. May be delayed until Step 3 (not before May 17th)
We may be able to hold a Group meeting in July once we are in Step 4 (not before 21 June)
If there are any revisions to this it will be published in the April Newsletter.
In the meantime I wish you and yours stay safe and healthy.
Regards
Bob |
Have you been up to anything to do with Riding or Driving lately? If so, then please let us know as we would love to include it here; photos would be great too!
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Presumption is , like all of us, we are planning what we can do later this year once this pandemic is sorted.
Driven Ohm Racing
After a long dark and locked down winter, spring is just round the corner. The racing world was waiting with bated breath for the results of Boris's roadmap out of lockdown.
Luckily, it looks like we are "Go, Go, GO!"
With motorsport allowed to resume on March 29th, I have a test session booked at Castle Combe to shake down the new car just two days later on March 31st. Following this, racing commences on April 5th (Easter Monday) at Combe.
Spectators will be welcome at the racing event on the 3rd May.
Since there are still travel restrictions, some of the visiting racing clubs that were due to join us at Combe on that day have elected not to travel, so the local Combe championships will all run double headers to fill the schedule. You wait for months to go racing, and just like busses, two come along at once!
There is a new look at Driven Ohm Racing, with a switch to a more powerful Mini for 2021, and a new colour scheme. We have upgraded to a 200+ horsepower R53 Mini Cooper S and hope to be harassing the front half of the pack this year. A lot of work has gone into building this car through the off-season, and we think she is ready.
We welcome some new partners and sponsors, such as Orranje Performance Ltd, Cotswold Motaquip, and Newton Europe, our continuing arrangement with Wiltshire RoADAR and our logistics and preparation partner TM Racing. We hope to be allowed to host guests at the track later in the year on May 3rd, it will be great to have some spectators trackside too!
Follow our progress on Facebook @Driven.Ohm.Racing.
Please check the series website for the lastest details:
https://www.ccracingclub.co.uk/championships/ccrc-hot-hatch-challenge/
Dates are as follows (all at Castle Combe):
Monday 5th April 2021 Howards Day
Monday 3rd May 2021 Mayday Madness Race Day
Monday 31st May 2021 Combe Challenge
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th June 2021 June Race Weekend
Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th July 2021 Classic And Retro Race Weekend
Monday 30th August 2021 Combe Countdown
Saturday 18th September 2021 Grand Finals Day
Gary Franks.
Please let us know of any plans you may have; any road trips, any places
to drive/ride to; maybe you have plans to unicycle the length of the UK
- if you are planning this, please let us know as this would be great
to read about!
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News from RoADAR HQ
We received this update from RoADAR HQ on 26 March:
Dear Chairman and Secretaries,
I trust you are keeping well,
We have recently had some changes in our Regional Senior Examining Team, Geoff Evans our very much valued RSE for Wales and surrounding areas is standing down from his role at the end of April, Geoff has been with RoSPA since 1980! Being at the forefront of delivering and arranging advanced tests across the UK, in later years focusing particularly on Wales, Hereford, Shropshire, Merseyside and Manchester.
Geoff is going to take time out to spend with his family and enjoy some freedom. Please do join me in wishing Geoff a wonderful retirement.
Geoff’s departure has expanded other valued team members roles and therefore I am delighted to announce Andy Nixon and Mark Bull will be expanding their RSE areas and shall be taking over the coverage of the examining team and testing within Wales, Hereford, Shropshire, Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and beyond!
Best wishes
Amy
Amy Brant
Head of Driver Training
T: +44 (0)7880 785 056
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New Books! Updates to Roadcraft are here!
Bikes
Motorcycle Roadcraft is the police handbook for rider training. It’s used by all the emergency services and forms a key reference for riding instructors.
Updates for this new edition include a new overtaking chapter with separate sections on passing stationary vehicles, single stage overtakes, and multi-stage overtakes and new explanations of advanced concepts, such as limit points on left-hand bends. Guided by a working group of experienced instructors, Motorcycle Roadcraft is essential learning for police officers preparing for the demands of operational riding.
Cars
Roadcraft is the police handbook for driver training. It's used by all the emergency services and forms reference for driving instructors.
Updates for this new edition include a new overtaking chapter with separate sections on passing stationary vehicles, single stage overtakes, and multi-stage overtakes and new explanations of advanced concepts, such as limit points on left-hand bends.
Guided by a working group of experienced instructors, Roadcraft is essential learning for police officers preparing for the demands of operational driving.
We do have a few of the old Roadcraft books for both Cars and Bikes - if you would like one, please get in touch with the membership secretary. For these books we would appreciate a donation of £5 to the group which is less than half price.
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Group Meetings and look ahead - July?
We think we may be able to hold a monthly meeting in July but we will have to stay flexible so watch this space!
New Speakers
Les is working hard to identify. speakers who will be able to attend meetings when they resume. if you have any ideas please let him know at speakers@wiltshireroadar.co.uk
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Protocols - Risk assessments have been completed and are held by the Chairman.
No tutoring to take place until restrictions allow and no sooner than 12th April.
Car tutoring protocol
Overview
This is a voluntary activity and both parties (Tutor and Associate) must be content to be in the same car as each other (normally the Associate’s car). It is recognised each individual has their own circumstances and acceptance of level of risk. There will be no judgement of individuals who do not wish to conduct car training.
Wiltshire RoADAR have a written risk assessment which is available on request. The mitigation factors listed below are to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection for the Tutor and the Associate. These are the absolute minimum required and if individuals wish to add their own factors then this is up to them and will be fully supported by the committee.
Essential Mitigation Measures
- No training if either party has displayed COVID 19 symptoms within 7 days or is self-isolating in line with Government guidance (including Test and Trace protocols).
- Face covering to be worn by both tutor and associate. These must be in place prior to entering the vehicle.
- Associate to ensure vehicle interior is cleaned with sanitiser prior to tutor entering the vehicle.
- Ensure hands are clean (washed for 20 seconds and/or alcohol gel as a minimum) prior to fitting face covering.
- Gloves to be worn by tutor when in the vehicle.
- Tutor and associate must not touch their face when in the vehicle or prior to removing gloves and washing/sanitising hands.
- Vehicle ventilation system to be on and drawing air from outside the vehicle (NOT on recirculation). Ventilation enhanced by opening rear windows to allow air flow over tutor and associate to go out of the vehicle.
- Avoid face to face activity and conduct discussions outside the vehicle where safe and legal to do so.
- Any equipment taken into the vehicle by the tutor to be sanitised post the session (alcohol wipes or a bleach solution).
Recommended Additional Mitigation Measures
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Gloves to be worn by associate.
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Tutor to wear an outer layer of clothing which can be removed and placed in a bag for washing post tutoring session.
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Tutor may use a disposable seat covering if so desired.
Bike tutoring Protocol
We must ensure the safety of both the Associate and the Tutor. The following protocol is to be followed:
- Both parties must be happy to partake in the tutoring session – there is no penalty for not wishing to partake provided communication is clear.
- No tutoring if either the Associate or the Tutor have displayed symptoms within the last 7 days or are told to self- isolate by the Government Test and Trace protocol.
- All must follow Government guidelines on self-isolation and shielding.
- Appropriate Social distancing must be rigorously applied.
- Follow Government guidelines for hand cleansing and personal safety – hand sanitiser to be used appropriately.
- Avoid busy locations for meeting and take own refreshments.
- Associates to be encouraged to bring their own copy of Roadcraft and the Highway code for ease of reference during briefing and de briefing sessions.
- Tutor explanations and diagrams to be suitable for understanding from 2 metres.
Rideout Protocol
Maximum of 6 riders:
- Pre booking with the ride leader essential; do not just turn up on the day – first come first served – if more register then we will split into 2 groups
- RV to avoid busy spaces where there will be gatherings of people.
- All riders to arrive at RV with full tank of petrol and ready for the ride.
- Rides to be planned for no longer than 2 hours to prevent the need for rest and fuel stops. May be longer if cafes and other facilities (toilets) are open -we will review as this happens.
- If you want a cup of coffee bring a flask and nibbles for yourself.
- Ride to avoid busy beauty spots where there is likely to be lots of traffic.
There is a thread on the forum where discussion and latest info will be placed.
Feel free to contact Mark Sealey with any questions. And please do let him know if you want to come so he can pre-book if the numbers grow.
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Promotional activities
BikeSafe Dates for 2021
Wiltshire Police have proposed dates or BikeSafe:
July 4th
August 29th
September 12th
October 3rd
We
will be supporting Wiltshire Police with BikeSafe both with
tutors to make up the instructor numbers and to help promote the Group.
We do this in conjunction with WABAM so it is a great way to reinforce
advanced riding and to gather new members.
Proposed Promotional activities 2021
Outline events for next year are below, all of which will need member support so please do help us promote our Group:
- Promote
the Group at Castle Combe race circuit - Bikes and Cars. Make best use
of Gary's RoADAR Wiltshire Racing antics to spread the word.
- Dates for the Castle Combe Road Racing National Weekend is 4/5 September
- We will continue to seek support from Wiltshire Council Road Safety Committee.
- Attend the Emergency Services Show should it go ahead.
If you have any ideas for events, then please get in touch with the committee using the committee email address :
Look forward to hearing and discussing your ideas.
Presentation material
A generic set of slides has been created for use if you are asked about Wiltshire RoADAR and have the opportunity to present. This could be at a local club, workplace etc. Please send a mail to committee@wiltshireroadar.co.uk and the slides will be sent over to you.
We also have flyers and business cards so ask for these via the same means
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First Aid Training - COVID-19 dependant - sometime after 21 June 2021
It is intended to provide a first aid training day (subsidised by the Group). This is highly recommended for all tutors as part of our responsibilities for the safety of our associates but also an excellent skill for all of us; you never know when you will need it. It is compulsory training for me at work and one of my colleagues saved her husband’s life as she had first aid training.
This will probably be on a Saturday as soon as we can after the lockdown; we have 15 already interesteds. Watch this space for more (we will communicate with those who have registered an interest directly). It is not too late to register interest (this does not commit you) so email the Chairman if you wish to be included.
Media coordinator - Help us to broaden our reach
To help promote the group we have a variety of online media platforms, FaceBook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. To help make the most out of the opportunities that these outlets provide, we could use some help from someone who has experience of using such tools. Drop me a line at secretary@wiltshireroadar.co.uk if you would be interested in helping promote our group.
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Committee minutes
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These are available from the Group Secretary if any member wishes to see them. If you are interested in reading the minutes, then please send a mail to the Group Secretary whom will promptly forward them onto you.
Forum
Please could all Members use the Forum on the Website which can be used for any purpose but particularly coordinating events, hints, tips and general conversation. It is easy to register on the website so please do log on and chat away.
Test results
Reminder to let the Membership Secretary and your tutor know when you have taken your Advanced Driving/Riding Test and result. This is so our database is kept up to date; there is no need or pressure at all to have the result published on the website or in this newsletter if you wish to keep your result confidential.
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Car and Bike adverts!
This is a new venture for The Newsletter. Putting members bikes and cars for sale.
You will know it should be a good vehicle as it is being sold by a fellow member.
BMW, R1200RT Tourer FSH BMW panniers, GIVI top box, Bagster tank cover BMW Motorrad SAT NAV Holder - SOLD!
Please note:
Wiltshire RoADAR does not take responsibility or vouch for the sales. It is for the purchaser to try the vehicle and make up their own mind.
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