Dates For Your Diary
Next meeting is on 14 July.
This meeting we'll be discussing Safety before law. Can it ever be right?
For example, overtaking above the speed limit - cars or bikes!
Controversial enough to generate discussion!
7.30pm for a 7.45pm start.
SkillShare & Social
5 July 2025 meeting at the Dandy Highwayman Cafe Cherhill. 9.30 am for 10 am start. See main section for more details.
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.
Next ride out Sunday 20 July Details will be forthcoming via email to all bike members.
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Do you have a topic you would like discussed, or know of an interesting speaker? Please contact speaker at speakers@wiltshireroadar.co.uk |
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following members who have passed their Advanced Tests recently:
None noted for June; reminder to please let your tutor know if you have passed recently.
New Tutors
Emma Hookham - Bike
Jan Taylor - Bike
Welcome
Please welcome the following to the Group:
Clare Bromell - Car
Alan Johnson - Bike
Andrea Curtis – Bike
Mike Bell – Bike
Andy Wheeler - Bike
Paul Wilson - Bike
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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 |
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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Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM; it was a fantastic meeting, and we’re thrilled to welcome a new Committee member on board. Since then, I’ve been reflecting on my report to the Group, which often echoes themes from previous years. While this consistency highlights our dedication to a clear focus, I believe there may be exciting new opportunities for us to make an even greater impact.
Having Sean Caine join the Committee (a big thank you to Sean!) is already bringing fresh energy and ideas to the table, and I’m confident it will invigorate our efforts. To help us aim higher and explore innovative approaches, I plan to develop a strategy for Wiltshire RoADAR. I’ll work closely with the Committee to shape it, and once it’s ready, I’ll share it—likely via this platform. I haven’t set a strict deadline for its completion, as I have a busy summer ahead, but my goal is to bring sharper focus to how we improve road safety and enhance our work.
Even a small shift in perspective could lead to meaningful change, whether in how we recruit or how we present our services to the public. I’m feeling optimistic about embracing this challenge, and I look forward to seeing where our collective creativity and determination take us.
Now, on to exciting news!
We’ll have a joint stand at Carfest South near Basingstoke from 22–24 August, organised by Thames Valley RoADAR. This event is a brilliant opportunity to showcase advanced driving skills to a lively crowd of petrol heads—many of whom travel from across the UK to attend. Several RoADAR groups will be represented (final details to come), and we’re in for a wonderful opportunity to promote our passion for road safety.
To make the most of this event, I’m calling on our enthusiastic car drivers to help run the stand and represent Wiltshire RoADAR. Ideally, we’ll need at least one volunteer per day, along with someone to coordinate the effort. If you’re interested, please drop me a line, and I’ll connect you with the organiser. Volunteers will receive passes to enter and will also have the chance to explore the festival when not at the stand. I hope many of you will join us in promoting our group and inspiring others to become advanced drivers—it’ll be a rewarding experience for all involved.
Let’s make this summer one to remember and seize every opportunity to grow and make an impact together!
Bob Fram
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AGM Notes
Summary of the meeting below:
Meeting started at 19:45; ending around 20:10.
The meeting was declared the meeting quorate with 23 members present (16%) and 15 proxies received (10%).
Treasurer reported income is broadly matching expenditure and we have sufficient funds to operate for a year with no income.
Membership secretary reported we have 147 members in total. However, numbers are trending towards greater rider (78%) ratio over driver (22%). 115 bike and 32 car members.
Committee members remained in post; one new member, Sean Caine was accepted onto the committee.
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June Group Meeting - National Association for Disabled Bikers
Rob Pounder and Andy Arnott presented the exceptional work that the NABD do in assisting bikers with disabilities to keep them riding, and discussed how we, Wiltshire RoADAR, can assist in Advanced rider tutoring. Standards must not drop; a gold is a gold after all.
The riders have a range of disabilities from missing limbs to other physical issues. NABD help by providing modifications to a bike the rider owns.
The positive consensus during the meeting was ‘of course we can help’. And now we know of each other’s work we can point any disabled riders to the NABD; likewise, the NABD can point Wiltshire based disabled riders to us.
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Curvey Riders come to town!
A select group comprising five Curvey Riders and seven tutors convened at Urchfont Village Hall for an introductory session on Advanced Riding. Following initial introductions and a presentation about the group and the fundamentals of advanced riding. Simon Chalmers delivered a talk on bike maintenance adhering to the principles of POWDDERSS.
Two of the Curvey's are already members of Wiltshire RoADAR so that's a great start!
After the classroom and maintenance sessions, three Curvy Riders underwent assessment rides accompanied by one or two instructors each. The two remaining Curvey’s discussed bike manual handling in the car park, and how to park with minimal effort. The successful session concluded at approximately 1pm.
It was noted that future sessions could benefit from reducing classroom time in favour of more practical road experience. As we say, every day is a learning day!
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SkillShare and Saturday Social
Skillshare returns on 5 July so we will be offering taster sessions to potential members. This does not remove the Saturday Sociual but merely adds to it. Bring a friend and join us on the first Saturday of the month at the Wiltshire RoADAR Saturday Social. From 09:30 at The Dandy Highwayman; Main Rd, Cherhill, Calne SN11 8UU.
Come and meet your fellow members; exchange notes with other associates; meet some of our tutors and pick their brains.
We usually stay chatting eating cake and drinking tea until 11 ish.
The first Saturday of the month - 09:30 - The Dandy highwayman - Café - on the A4 - Main Rd, Cherhill, Calne SN11 8UU.
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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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Monthly Ride Out
A loose gaggle of bikes and riders gathered at Severn View services (formerly known as Aust), ready for a grand coddiwomple—a glorious wander without a fixed destination. Destination? Cae Du campsite in Wales, or as we came to call it, “Land of Wet Socks.”
I arrived early enough for a ridiculously overpriced sausage bap and coffee. (Why must all motorway services assume we’re millionaires?) Cyclists in full gear were picking up snacks, presumably thinking they’d outrun the rain. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
With six motorcycles and seven people now assembled, we set off for the infamous Abergavenny Bus Station café. One day, we’ll find a spot with good coffee.
Lunch was planned at the Trout Café in Beulah, but thanks to a closed road—and my satnav’s glorious detour—we arrived via Builth Wells, slightly wetter but significantly hungrier. Speaking of wet, a puddle in a lay-by provided an impromptu shower when passing cars gleefully soaked me to the amusement of my fellow riders. Oh, joy.
We stopped in Machynlleth for a few last minute goodies. After a few loops around Tywyn (it’s scenic, okay?), we landed at Cae Du around 5:45 pm. Logs for the fire were delivered, and Mark picked up lamb burgers. Nothing says “camping group” like a solid BBQ feast featuring meatloaf, Polish sausages, and the aforementioned burgers. Layering up by the fire was less of a choice and more of a survival strategy—thanks, Wales, for your brisk 20-degree summer.
Sunset and camp fire
Sunday morning brought grey skies, though mercifully no rain. Packing up dry felt like an Olympic victory. We skipped campsite breakfast for Millie and Sid’s café in Tywyn, where lava bread became a surprise culinary highlight. (No, it’s not molten rock; yes, it’s delicious.)
The ride back featured highlights like the Elan Valley visitor centre—though my missed turn meant skipping the Lead Mines. Sorry, history buffs. Our coffee-free stop at Abergavenny was refreshing, though we spent the time discussing bikes with the locals.
The compulsory cake stop!
The return route. Or is that the outbound one?
Monmouth tried to split us up at a roundabout, but the Wye Valley road was a delight. The old Severn Bridge saw us battling crosswinds before regrouping at Aust services. Homeward-bound, I found myself facing an empty petrol station with 10 miles left in my tank and 12 miles to go. Cue sweaty calculations and a desperate ride home using every fuel-saving trick known to motorcycling.
A proud moment in the Sealey household!
Mark Sealey earned the coveted Sean Caine Grilling Basket for Excellence in Motorcycle Camping—a prize only slightly less prestigious than his previous win of an onyx ashtray at a pub raffle. And with that, another WRMCG adventure came to a close. Dirty bikes, wet socks, and priceless memories: the trifecta of motorcycle camping brilliance.
Steven Hyde - Group Tutor & Rideout coordinator
Background: Wiltshire Roadar Motorcycle Camping Group (WRMCG) is open to everyone in the group. Past trips have included, The three highest pubs in Britain, SW Peninsula rally, Herefordshire, Somerset, Exmoor. Generally the idea is to enjoy the ride, camp, come home.
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Want to Try Off Road Biking? - Perhaps with Winston?
Phoenix Motor Cycle Training is ‘The UK’s highest rated and largest motorcycle training school, so wherever you’re going, we can help you get there.’ Run green trails on Salisbury Plain. They limit the groups to four per group to give individual attention. They provide Honda CRF250 and Fantic XEJ250 motorcycles and everything from a Helmet, Body Armour, boots, waterproofs, gloves and lunch!
The cost of a level 1 (beginner) course is £270.00. The deal is for us to go as Level 1s
Wiltshire RoADAR can get a 10% discount if we book directly with Phoenix.
Presently there are places available for groups of four. Check their availability on their website here and click on the “Book online” button.
Please let me know if anyone is interested in joining a group to venture onto the plain and we can plan a day out.
Let me have your dates by email, text or WhatsApp or give me a ring to discuss.
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Promotional activities
SkillShare - at Dandy Highwayman, Cherhill, Calne on 5 July - in addition to the Saturday Social.
Carfest South at Laverstoke Park Farm near Overton Hampshire 22 -24 August. We agreed in principle to support this with other groups. Car section members to attend. please get in touch with Nick Carrington.
The Calne Bike Meet in Calne (across the whole town; an enormous event) was one of our best
recruiting event of 2024. This is on 26 July – if you can help please
get in touch with Phill Colbourne.
Wiltshire Police BikeSafe
Successfully supported by Wiltshire RoADAR motorcycle tutors and WABAM Observers. Dates for 2025 are as follows:
27 July
24 August
28 September
5 October
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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Booking a Retest
Please be aware you need to book your 3 yearly retest directly with RoSPA via their website. Sadly we cannot book it for you as it is all done electronically. You may also need to check when your re-test is due if you have not been paying your subscriptions to RoADAR as they will not remind you.
Tutors will be happy to conduct a refresh should you wish one prior to a re test.
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Membership and GDPR
Due to GDPR we are required to remove an individual's details from our Group database when they are no longer required by us. We remove a lapsed member's details if they have not paid a subscription by the 31 Dec following the AGM (3 months after the subscriptions are due). If a member has forgotten to pay their subs and pays after 31 Dec we will require a joining form to be completed so we can replace them on the database.
It all seems a bit strange, but we do not want to get on the wrong side of the Government's Information Commissioner. We understand if members forget or are late with their subscriptions, but please help us to keep our database accurate and compliant.
This is, of course, separate to those of you who maintain a membership with RoADAR HQ.
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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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Communication from HQ
A lot of Members have been sent a cancellation notice. Please accept our sincere apologies for this.
As you will be aware we have partially moved over to a new system and as part of this a data transfer was made of all of our members. There was a problem with the data transfer and not all memberships came over. This was identified and our IT Department and the system provider worked on identifying which memberships did not come over and all of these were transferred yesterday. Unfortunately in the meantime those members were not receiving renewal reminders and when the memberships were transferred yesterday this resulted in the system sending out cancellation notices to the memberships that had lapsed in the meantime.
As you can imagine we are being inundated this morning with calls and emails and as such a small team we are unfortunately not able to deal with every one as quickly as we would like. We value our members and do understand how distressing this is to those affected and can only sincerely apologise for this situation, which was completely beyond the RoADAR team's control.
Please rest assured that Members whose membership has lapsed on or after 01 September 2024 WILL NOT have to retake their test and we will accept the annual membership payment. Members can pay this using the following link to our online Membership renewal RoSPA- RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders: Annual Membership Renewal | Continue Your Road Safety Journey<https://www.rospa.com/shop/rospa-advanced-drivers-and-riders/roadar-membership-online/rospa-advanced-drivers-and-riders-annual-membership> this is the quickest way that this can be dealt with.
We are working hard to respond to all enquiries about this matter and are prioritising responses to get through all of these as quickly as possible. If anyone is worried about their Membership, please either make the payment via the online membership renewal page or email furtherinfo@roadar.org and we will respond as soon as possible.
Please can you circulate this email to all of your members.
Many thanks as always for your hard work and understanding.
All the best
Andy, Rebecca and Elaine
RoSPA Advanced Driving and Riding Team
T: +44 (0)121 248 2099
E: furtherinfo@roadar.orgroadar.org>
www.rospa.com
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Committee minutes
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.
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.
If you have read this far, thanks! If you have any feedback or suggestions about content for your newsletter, then drop us a line at newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk If you can't leave constructive feedback though, then we don't want to hear from you!
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