In This Issue:

 
 
 



Welcome

A warm welcome to new group member:

  Tim Stevenson (M)
 
Congratulations

Well done to the following members who have passed their advanced test / re-test:

Advanced Tutor 
  Adam Slaughter (C)
 
Gold
  Derek Spooner (C)
  Duncan Keen (M)
 
Silver
  Tim Murfitt (C) 
 
Diary Dates:
 
2022:
 
Sat 26 Nov
  Group Ride: H Cafe
 
2023:
 
Sat 21 Jan 
  Tutors' (all) 1st Aid course
 
Sat 13 May
  Tutor training
Articles needed

If you have interesting snippets or would like to write a short article for this newsletter then please let us know. 

All contributions welcome.
 

Wanted: Group Ride Leaders 

We need more volunteer Ride Leaders - No experience required, full training given.

Interested?

Call Stephen Wilkinson-Carr on 07976 644485 for more details.

 





 

Newsletter
November 2022
 
 
Chair's Introduction
 
 
We’ve had a very busy year resurrecting the group after a Covid-enforced lull. Your hard work and contributions have helped us achieve significant success in both recruiting and improving our road safety messaging and activities.
 
Thank you all.
 
 
Have you found yourself counting the shopping days until Christmas?
I hadn't until I met a lady who proudly told me she'd already done all her Christmas shopping.
 
I'll save my shopping until Christmas Eve, as usual...

My hope is to spend more time wrapping presents than I do untangling lights…
 
 
 
May your home be filled with joy this Christmas season and bring to you and your family the promise of a better and happier tomorrow; full of love and hope.
 
Merry Christmas everyone.
 
Stephen

 
Christmas Markets
 
Spending Novermber and December in the UK and want to visit some tempting Christmas Markets?
 
 
Some of UK’s best are listed here: Best UK Christmas Markets 
(click on red words for more detail) 
 
Here are some that may be worth a day trip (see the links below for more detail).
 
 
Bath (24 Nov – 11 Dec)
 
Birmingham (3 Nov – 23 Dec)
 
Blenheim Palace (18 Nov – 18 Dec)
 
Bournemouth (18 Nov – 2 Jan 23)
 
Bristol (4 Nov – 23 Dec)
 
Cardiff (10 Nov – 23 Dec)
 
Cheltenham (8 Nov – 24 Dec)
 
Exeter (18 Nov – 18 Dec)
 
Gloucester (26-27 Nov, 3-4, 10-11 &
17-18 Dec)
 
 
Manchester (8 Nov – 22 Dec)
 
Oxford (1-18 Dec)
 
 
Swansea (25 Nov – 21 Dec)
 
Winchester (18 Nov – 22 Dec)
 
Worcester (6-23 Dec)
 
Full list of UK 2022 Christmas Markets is here 
 
 

 
Next Newsletter
 
We've had a very busy year and now is the time to reflect, plan and prepare for 2023.

It means there's not a lot to report on so the next newsletter will be published in January 2023.
 
We hope to have interesting content, news and articles to share and look forward to seeing what the New Year will bring.

Please tell us if you have any news you'd like to share with our members.
 

 
Group Ride: H Cafe via Witney Xmas Market
 
On Saturday 26th November we shall be holding a group ride to Witney Xmas Market and H Cafe led by Stephen Wilkinson-Carr. The route will be 134 miles with 4 hours in the saddle across four stages. It is open to all riders, including those in training, whether you have passed the advanced test or not.
 
 
Start location:
The Aviator Café (NOT open until 9 a.m.) 
Staverton Airport 
Bamfurlong Lane  
Cheltenham GL51 6SR 
N51 53.624 W2 09.426 
 
Departure time: 8:45 a.m. 
I will be there from about 8:20 a.m.
 
Morning tea stop (free entry)  
Christmas Market (£3 to see 51 stalls)
Cogges Kitchen 
Cogges Manor Farm 
Church Lane 
Witney OX28 3LA 
N51° 47.060' W1° 28.535' 
 
The car park is out of sight and a short walk away from Cogges Kitchen at
https//w3w.co/resort.windy.rounds
 
Please bring your usual security device(s).
 
Morning fuel (8 mins):
Gulf Road Garage (0800-2000hrs)
Witney Road
Long Hanborough
Witney OX29 8BJ
N51° 39.513' W1° 10.546'
https://w3w.co/hexes.hammer.hobbit
 
Lunch location (arriving about 12:35 p.m.): 
H Café 
Deacon's Garage 
Oxford Rd 
Wallingford OX10 7LY 
N51° 49.499' W1° 23.949' 
https://w3w.co/rehearsed.bunks.swordfish
 
Afternoon tea stop: 
Coffee Republic 
Coop, Brewery Street  
Highworth SN6 7AJ  
N51° 37.761' W1° 42.586' 
 
Afternoon fuel: 
Shell Service Station 
Swindon Road 
Highworth SN6 7SP 
N51 37.631 W1 42.705 
 
End location: 
Starbucks (open 0630-1800
Eastington, Stonehouse GL10 3SQ 
N51 45.313 W02 18.839 
 
End time: About 4 p.m. 
 
Please ensure you carry a face mask / covering, remain Covid safe and respect social distance as local Covid rules may apply in some establishments. 
 
An e-mail with Satnav file and route map, showing fuel and stop locations, has been sent recently. Please let me know if you'd like a copy (chair@glos-roadar.org.uk).
 
See you on the day.
 

 
Wanted: Marketing Officer
 
 
We have run / are running a number of recruiting initiatives such as: Prescott Bike Festival Exhibitor Stand; BikeSafe; CourierSafe; SkillShare as well as online advertising with local driving and riding groups (mainly on Facebook) and need help.
 

We're looking for a volunteer, with some marketing expertise, who can help us publicise our road safety mission and refine the way we engage with the public. 

If you have some marketing knowledge / experience and would like to join the Committee as Marketing / Publicity Officer then please e-mail any Committee Member, listed at the end of this newsletter, and let us know.
 
 Please help. 

 
 
 
Did You Know?

Royal Mail is encouraging customers to use stamps, that have no barcode, by 31st January, after which they will no longer be valid for postage. So, with that in mind, now is the time to rummage through drawers, biscuit jars and cupboards to find unused stamps to use before this date.
 
This comes as the Royal Mail looks to change all the stamps in circulation, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with a profile image of our new monarch, King Charles III.
 
A sheet of stamps
 
Otherwise, following the 31st January, you will need to exchange them for the new barcoded stamps. Royal Mail state that this will make their operations smoother and will include added security features. 
 

Customers will also be able to watch and share videos by scanning the barcoded stamps in the Royal Mail app (click on image below for video with more detail).
 
 
Who knew?

 
Recommended Books (Clickable)

 
 
The Committee

Chair - Stephen Wilkinson-Carr

Secretary - Rebekah Yarranton

Treasurer - Geoff Brown

Membership Secretary - Duncan Keen

Car Coordinator - Mike Hall

Motorcycle Coordinator - Paul Smith

WebMaster - Phil Wesley

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www.glos-roadar.org.uk
Membership Secretary: Mike Ibbitson  membership@glos-roadar.org.uk
Secretary: Rebekah Yarranton  secretary@glos-roadar.org.uk