Well done to the following members who have passed their advanced test / re-test:
Advanced Tutor
Nigel Warwick (M)
Silver
Ian Yarranton (M)
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A warm welcome to new group members:
James Earle (C)
Robert Gibson (M)
Linane Walker (C)
James Fisher (M)
Richard Tyler (M)
John Messore (M)
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Sat 23 Sep
Glos Police Open Day
Sun 30 Sep
Motorcycle Group Ride
Thu 5 Oct
AGM & Talk by Mark Sealey
Sat 14 Oct
Tutor refresher training
Sun 22 Oct
Low-speed Skills Event
Tue 7 Nov
Avon & Somerset Police
Roads Policing Talk
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If you have interesting snippets or would like to write a short article for this newsletter then please let us know.
All contributions welcome.
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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.
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Newsletter
September 2023
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Our Annual General Meeting is on Thu 5 October and is being held at:
Venue:  Witcombe and Bentham Village Hall
Pillcroft Rd, Witcombe, Gloucester GL3 4TB
N51 50.554 W02 8.416 Grid Ref: SO904160
https://w3w.co/passenger.apricot.lights
Time: 6.45 p.m. for 7 p.m.
This meeting is an essential part of our governance and it helps us keep the Committee both proactive and responsive on your behalf. It's an opportunity for you to ask about or suggest anything you think might benefit the group as well as a chance to help us improve how we manage and run the group.
If you would like to join the Committee then please let us know and we'll add you to the list of candidates. No qualifications are required, just an interest in road safety and a desire to help run your group.
If you can make it then please let Rebekah Yarranton, our Secretary secretary@glos-roadar.org.uk know as we need to ensure we provide enough seats, biscuits and drinks.
If you can't make it then please assign your proxy vote to Rebekah, or any other Committee member.
Presentation after AGM:
 This year's short AGM meeting will be followed by a presentation from Diploma holder / Senior Motorcycle Tutor Mark Sealey.
Ever since Mark learned to ride a motorcycle, he has undertaken a 2-week trip somewhere in Europe. Along with his top tips for packing a motorbike for camping and cooking, he will talk about a couple of this year’s motorcycle trips:
- May - A circuit of Ireland including the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW), the NW 200 road race and all 32 counties visited.
- July - a trip down the Rhine valley, through the Black Forest, and across the Austrian Alps to the Italian Dolomites for a visit to the Otzi the iceman museum.
Mark’s past trips include the Pyrenese mountain range, the Picos de Europa mountains and Nordkapp (Norway). Perhaps we’ll need another presentation?
Stay safe all.
Stephen
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Signpost Rally - Photo Report
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We had a great turnout for our first-ever Signpost Rally with 29 drivers, riders and guests.
 I had just 10-days notice to plan this event, after a pre-planned event had to be cancelled, and had stellar support from Simon 'Rossy' Ross who did a full recce of the signposts and enabled me to be confident I hadn't set an impossible task. Thanks Rossy.
These were the 16 signpost locations the participants had to plot on their free map.
This is the free map all were given.
The map included a code so it could be downloaded to a smartphone or tablet for use offline.
It's a brilliant idea that suited those who preferred to use device-based rather than paper maps for finding and plotting routes.
 They then visited 12 of the signposts and, to prove they'd been there, answered some quite fiendish questions such as: "What's written on the head of the shiny bolt above and to the left of the dedication plaque on the metal frame around the cherry tree closest to the signpost?"
We had an amazing response with all 9 teams achieving commendable results during their bimble around the Cotswolds. It culminated in a nail-biting tie for first place between Team Phil and Team Mel.
With an attractive prize on offer, the winner was decided by this tie-breaker question: What are the UK national speed limits for cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles? See photos below for the answer (what a tease eh?)...
Here's the photo report:
The teams, ready to begin plotting. L-R Gary Siân David Jenni Paul Tracey Mike Amanda Frances Neil Phil Amber Gail John Alan Sharon Paul Karen Mel
Alan, John and Sharon
L-R Mike, Amanda, Phil, Amber & Gail
Phil, Amber and Gail
The plot thickens
David and Jenni
Paul and Tracey
Frances and Neil (one of my favourite shots) xxxxxxxxxx John, Sharon and Alan
Phil, Amber, Gail, John, Sharon and Alan
Karen and Paul
Mel
Isabella celebrates finding another sign
Gail and Amber hunting for answers
Paul taking a break / recording answers
Gail and Phil
Mel's mobile desk!
Mel's proof
Amber and Phil xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Isabella at Izod's Cross x and at Notgrove (fab photo)
Gary, mid-tour queue for answer xxxxxxxxx All back in time for the Highway Code Quiz
Jenni, Frances, John, Siân and Gary
Superb food. Highly recommended.
Here's the answer to the tie-break question.
Our worthy runner-up Mel with his prized in-car phone thingamajiggy whatchamacallit.
Glos RoADAR Chair (and organiser) Stephen presents the first prize; bluetooth
speaker and case, to the winners: Phil, Amber and Gail. Very well done.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this a successful event.
We've already begun planning next year's Signpost Rally which will hopefully be in July.
Hope you can make it.
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Avon Police: Introduction to Roads Policing - Tue 7 Nov 2023 |
A FREE event open to anyone interested whether an
advanced driver / rider, group member or not.
Members of the public are very welcome to attend.
Introduction to Roads Policing & Road Safety” input with Avon and Somerset Police Road Safety Team.
The team will be providing an interactive, informative & thought-provoking presentation to the group to highlight local & National Road Safety objectives.
Time:
6:45 p.m. for 7 p.m.
Venue:
Witcombe and Bentham Village Hall
Pillcroft Rd, Witcombe, Gloucester GL3 4TB
N51 50.554 W02 8.416 Grid Ref: SO904160
https://w3w.co/passenger.apricot.lights
Please bring friends and colleagues.
Hope you can make it.
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There’s a lot of fast-developing research around providing sensory feedback, when using in-vehicle controls, so our eyes can stay on the road rather than the controls.
Haptics is the science and technology of transmitting and understanding information through touch.
Here are a couple of intriguing videos about latest developments for cars:
Immersion Automotive Haptic Demo 2:32 mins
Haptics and Gesture Control in Automotive 1.11 mins
Finally, here’s a link to an interesting article about the benefits of haptic technology
Anything that improves road safety is worth knowing about.
If you come across an interesting article on this subject then please let the Editor know about it so we can spread the word.
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Gloucestershire Police Open Day - Saturday 23 September 2023 |
Gloucestershire Constabulary and Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner's (OPCC) Open Day returns on Saturday 23rd September 2023 from 10am to 3pm at:
Gloucestershire Constabulary Headquarters
No 1 Waterwells, Waterwells Drive,
Quedgeley, Gloucester,
Glos GL2 2AN
The open day is a free, fun-filled, family friendly event that is suitable for all.
There will be plenty to see and get involved in on the day. So far, the following activites have been confirmed:
- Thrilling arena displays showcasing our brilliant police dogs, powerful police horses, and our dynamic public order team
- Engaging talks and insights into exciting careers in policing
- Fascinating tours of our Custody facilities and cutting-edge Force Control Room
- Getting scientific with the Forensics team
- Meeting our Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime team, and finding out how they police our rural communities
- Stepping into the world of Roads Policing and connecting with the dedicated people who help keep us safe on the roads every day
- Learning more about the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the OPCC
- Engaging with the inspiring projects supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC)
- Embarking on a journey through the rich history of the Gloucestershire Constabulary with our Archives zone
- Joining the team from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service in their dedicated zone
- Relaxing by listening to the Band of the Gloucestershire Constabulary
- Indulging in a diverse range of local and cultural culinary delights.
Tickets
In a change to previous years, this is now a ticketed event. This is to ensure the police have additional safety and security measures in place, aligned with their approach to all large public events.
You will need to register for tickets and bring a copy, printed or e-copy, with you on the day.
We'll be there with our Glos RoADAR stand. Hope you can make it.
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Group Tutor Refresher Training - 14 Oct 2023 |
If you're keen to become a Tutor, car or motorcycle, then you're invited to attend our Tutor training event on Saturday 14th October, 9am for 9:30am to 12:30pm for car drivers / 9am for 9:30am to 4:30pm for motorcyclists, led by Chief Instructor (MC) Mike Ibbitson and Car Diploma holder Adam Slaughter.
The day is intended for Car and Motorcycle Tutors and anyone else interested in finding out what Tutors do.
The event will be held at:
Witcombe and Bentham Village Hall, Pillcroft Rd,
Witcombe, Gloucester GL3 4TB N51 50.554 W0 28.416
The day will include theory training, practical sessions and of course the much-loved Highway Code / Roadcraft / Motorcycle Roadcraft knowledge check!
Lunch and hot / cold drinks will be provided on the day (we might even stretch to chocolate biscuits).
RoSPA's Group Tutors Training Guide includes this requirement:
 The Group should provide regular tests of knowledge and ability, either by written test and/or tasking sessions, to maintain and refresh their Group Tutors' knowledge and skills.
To meet this requirement Glos RoADAR runs Tutor training / refresher events twice annually and they are a great opportunity to pick up some new perspectives and provide input / insight to your fellow tutors.
If you wish to remain a Group Tutor, you are expected to attend at least one such event each year.
Please confirm your attendance by Monday 9th October 2023 as we need to order food and plan the practical sessions.
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Low-speed Skills Event - Berkeley 22 Oct 2023 |
We will be holding a FREE and open-to-all Low-Speed training day on Sun 22nd October 2023 to be held at the Lower Car Park, Berkeley Power Station, Berkeley, GL13 9FB / N51 41.406 W2 29.727 / https://w3w.co/imply.private.flats
You do not have to be an advanced rider or even a member of an advanced riding group to attend. All are welcome.
The event will run from 10 a.m to 1:30 p.m. and will include a range of low-speed riding skills and exercises designed to improve rider confidence and skill. The low-speed circuit favourites such as the snowman, figure of 8 and intersection will feature alongside braking drills and a slow race to make for an enjoyable learning experience.
A number of favourite exercises such as the snowman, figure of 8, offset cone weave, the 'W' and intersection will feature and you will have plenty of time to learn and practise each obstacle.
It does not matter if this is all new to you as we will be running a session to revise the basics and if you have been before there will be an advanced low speed circuit to test your skills – and a slow race - there really is something for everyone!
Example of an advanced circuit
Please e-mail Stephen Wilkinson-Carr chair@glos-roadar.org.uk to register an interest and further details will be sent out nearer the time. You will not receive a reply as we're monitoring interest levels.
Venue:
The Lower Car Park
Berkeley Power Station
Berkeley, Glos
GL13 9FB
N51 41.406 W2 29.727
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Group Motorcycle Ride - 30 Sep 2023 |
Our next Group Ride will be on Saturday 30 September 2023.
We will be riding to the Crossgates Café at Llandrindod Wells.
Route 197 miles – 5 hrs 6 mins saddle time in four stages
Start location:
Costa Coffee (open from 7 a.m.)
Unit 3, St Oswald’s Retail Park, 3 St Oswald’s Rd, Gloucester GL1 2UE
N51 52.389 W02 14.813
Departure time: 9:15 a.m.
I will be at the start from about 8:45 a.m. for a cuppa and a chat.
Morning tea stop and optional mid-route rendezvous point:
Abergavenny Bus Station
Monmouth Road, Abergavenny, NP7 5HF
N51 49.493 W03 0.901
Fuel: See map
Lunch:
Ascona Crossgates Service Station and Cafe
Llanbadarn Fawr, Crossgates, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6RE
N52 16.503 W3 20.191
Afternoon Tea Stop:
The Pantry, Ludlow Farm Shop
Bromfield, Ludlow SY8 2JR
N52 23.322 W2 45.557
Fuel: See map
End location (same as start location):
Costa Coffee (closes at 7 p.m.)
Unit 3, St Oswald’s Retail Park, 3 St Oswald's Rd, Gloucester GL1 2UE
N51 52.389 W02 14.813
End time:
About 5:30 p.m.
This is a ride mostly on major roads and is suitable for all riders who are comfortable riding on bends and at the national speed limit, when safe to do so.
This ride is not suitable for new or inexperienced riders.
Eligible riders:
- Tutors
- Full members
- Associates
- Prospective Associates - needs to be endorsed by an active tutor
- Guest - Anyone, other than a Tutor, Full Member or Associate may be invited as a guest, by an attendee, but ONLY with the prior agreement of the ride leader i.e. ride leader not put on the spot on the day.
Satnav file and route map, showing fuel and stop locations, are available and have already been e-mailed to all group motorcycle members.
Hope to see you on the day.
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There is a way to record copyright-free audio and video from YouTube without having to download or pay for extra apps.
Imagine you want to save the copyright-free low-speed video (from the article above) for yourself.
Step 1: Find the video on www.youtube.com
Step 2: Highlight the URL at the top of the screen
Step 3: Delete the letters 'ube' from the URL
Step 4: Select the format, press the big blue button and that's it.
Who knew?
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Recommended Books (Clickable) |
Chair - Stephen Wilkinson-Carr
Secretary - Rebekah Yarranton
Treasurer - David Blackledge
Membership Secretary - Rebekah Yarranton (Interim)
Car Coordinator - Mike Hall
Motorcycle Coordinator - Paul Smith
WebMaster - Phil Wesley
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