Dates For Your Diary
Group Meeting
12 September - SMIDSY talk by Stephen Wilkinson-Carr - see main text for full details of this event
10 October - AGM followed by Peter Genet the Big Van Trip
SkillShare
3 September - 3 Guys Cafe
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 18 September. Details will be forthcoming via email to all bike members. It looks like a good day out too!
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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:
Phill Colbourne - Advanced Tutor Bike - Passed
David Blackledge - Advanced Tutor Bike - Passed
Paul White - Bike - Silver
Terry Brown - Bike retest - Gold
Steve Williamson - Bike Retest - Gold
Welcome
Please welcome the following to the Group:
Jo Noble Finch - Bike
Andy Manning Bike
Bill Reed - Car
Tim Strong Bike
Simon Gunning Bike
Andy Wysocki 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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We're now on
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I hope you have managed to enjoy the hot weather and make the most of the summer. If you have been enjoying some driving or riding in this period; please do write a little report for the newsletter; we will find it interesting and you never know you may inspire some others to recreate or even improve your adventure.
Whilst we were all enjoyng the heat Dave Balckledge and Phill Colbourne weer busy attaining their Advanced Tutor qualification - Well done to both (more below)
You will have seen the calling notice for the AGM. Please make every effort to attend as this is an important part of our Governance. If you cannot attend then please do give a proxy vote to the Secretary - this will ensure we have the correct number of members voting so we will have a quorum. As an added benefit you will hear a short presentation from Peter Genet on his adventure across Europe in his camper van – something to inspire or make you jealous I am sure.
Out next meeting is on 12 Sep. Stephen Wilkinson-Carr will be presenting his Sorry Mate I did Not See You (SMIDSY) talk. Many of you will know Stephen (he was a member of our Group but is now the Chair of Gloucester); he is an occupational psychologist and looks at the way we see things in some detail. It will be of great benefit to us all and help us to ensure we identify hazards. Please come along and support the Group on the night. More details in the section below.
We have had a few members asking about the fees we pay to Wiltshire RoADAR and RoSPA. This can be confusing and I have put a short piece in the newsletter to explain it – it comes up every year so we will include regular reminders.
We have retained our Covid protocols despite the news being full of politicians we felt is prudent to continue to advise members to be safe
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I hope to see many of you at the meetings and on the road.
Stay safe and healthy
Bob
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Congratulations - Advanced Bike Tutors
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We are delighted to congratulate Harlequin Dave and Phill Colbourne who have passed their Advanced Tutor qualification – well done. They attended a course run by Gloucester Group, supported by the Wiltshire Advanced Tutors, which was very thorough and prepared them for the test exceptionally well. They have showed real dedication and professionalism in both their approach to the course and the high quality of their riding and tutoring.
David said:
The achievement of Advanced Tutor was the next step on my journey to be the best trainer I can possibly be, helping riders to improve their skills and in so doing reducing the risk of a serious accident or worse.
So when approached by Stephen, my original RoSPA Tutor, to join the Advanced Tutor course I had no hesitation in saying yes.
When I received the initial pack the scale of what was ahead was obvious, and in particular that if I thought I had a good knowledge of Motorcycle Roadcraft, the Highway code etc, think again as the theory test for the Advanced Tutor qualification would explore my knowledge at a level never experienced before!
The workshop sessions challenged me to think at a deeper level as to how my approach, choice of words, choice of comments and choice of questions impacted on the associate. I had always, as a tutor, understood the each associate was an individual and tried to engage with each associate I had the pleasure to support so that they came up with the solutions, but the course changed my understanding about how my inputs could both positively and negatively be “heard by the associate” irrespective of my intentions.
Building up to the test, I was nervous (because I didn’t want to let myself or those who had given up their time to lead the sessions down), but I can honestly say that the examiner was calming. The theory test, true to its billing, tested the depth of my knowledge, but because of the preparation took little time to complete and I was confident I would pass.
Then onto the road where the examiner provided a scenario and undertook a stooge ride in numerous sections, each of which I debriefed (all the time thinking…. What had I missed, particularly on one section when I couldn’t identify a fault (as he was stooging the perfect ride)). At the end of rides the examiner to my relief confirmed a positive outcome, I had passed, and then provided superb feedback to further enhance my skills.
My objective now is to apply my new and enhanced knowledge to improve the delivery of the course to my associates, to provide enhanced feedback to those who I assess on Bike Safe courses, but importantly also to give back to the group(s) who supported me and support them in enhancing the skills of current and prospective tutors and who knows help them become future Advanced Tutors, and ultimately make my small contribution to road safety… maybe one comment can help someone avoid that unnecessary incident!
Phill said:
I chose to take part in the advanced training in order to give something back to Wiltshire Advanced Drivers and Riders, having joined the group as an associate 6 years ago.
I’m incredibly grateful to all the Tutors who enabled my journey to advanced riding, which meant I could become a blood bike rider with Severn Freewheelers and then become an Approved Tutor and now an Advanced Tutor.
It’s essential that the group keeps moving forward, developing tutors and training, as well continuing the excellent collaboration with the Gloucestershire group, to ensure we can keep passing knowledge and skills on to the next generation of riders.
I can personally recommend the Advanced Tutor Training programme created and delivered by Stephen & Mark, along with a number of other Advanced Tutors from both groups and I look forward to using these skills and techniques going forward and working on joint initiatives.
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Not long now for the next AGM in October where we renew our group subscriptions and look for new members to join the committee. Without a formal committee, our group will fold.
The current committee members have been in post for several years with six out of seven being bike members. We would like to welcome new members to join us and take over the running of the group. Change of committee members is good as it brings in new and fresh ideas and perspectives.
The workload isn't too time consuming, but we would really like to re-dress the balance between car and bike members.
Please let the Secretary know if you would like to come along and see the workings of your committee. |
Understanding and avoiding SMIDSY (Sorry Mate I Didn’t see You) collisions
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Ever had a vehicle pull out on you at a junction?
Ever pulled out from a junction into the path of another vehicle?
Ever wondered why such incidents happen?
There are numerous reasons such potential and actual collisions happen and most are
more to do with human physiology (our eyes tell us lies), vehicle design and
environmental factors than driver / rider ability.
Want to know more?
Join us for a free talk designed for both riders and drivers by
Stephen Wilkinson-Carr, RoSPA Senior Tutor, Glos RoADAR
Monday 12th September 2022 at 7:30 p.m |
Low Speed Skills Event – Gloucestershire 9th October 2022 (Open to all riders)
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Gloucester Group will be holding a FREE and open-to-all Low-Speed
training day on Sun 9th October 2022 to be held at the Lower Car Park,
Berkeley Power Station, Berkeley, GL13 9FB / N51 41.406 W2 29.727 /
there is a YouTube advert here
You do not have to be an advanced rider or even a member of an advanced riding group to attend. All are welcome.
The day 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.
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Learn How to Save a life
Many of us have attended first aid courses and practiced CPR. Can you rememer all aspects of the course? are you confident to try it? All you need is a bit of knowledge and some confidence to step into a situation ad make a difference. The heart shaped QR code below will take you to a training resource to help you refresh or learn teh skill.
How good will you feel if you save a life?
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The Membership Connudrum
When you first join Wiltshire RoADAR you pay to join the Group, for your Roadcraft book and you start your training with your tutor. Every October we ask you for a small fee to be a member of the Group (currently £17). This covers the adminstration of the Group (website, database, newsletter editor etc), hire of the hall for meetings and training, expenses for running the Gorup and for speakers, speaker fees and maintining our promotional/recruiting material.
When you pass your test (for which you pay RoSPA who runs RoADAR HQ) the fee includes a membership of RoADAR for a year from your test date. You continue to pay this fee (in addition to our Group membership) every year which entitles you to a free 3 yearly retest.
It is possible for you to pay for your test and not pay RoSPA every year and still remain a member of the Wiltshire Group – you then pay for your re-test should you wish to take one – I will let you do the Maths.
Tutors, the Chair and Secretary must be full members of RoADAR to ensure the necessary insurances are in place for Group Activities.
Confused?
In summary
Wiltshire Group £17 per year (please continue your membership)
RoSPA (For RoADAR HQ) pay annually £40.
If it is any consolation, it is the same arrangement for IAM Roadsmart but you pay for your test up front hence the larger joining fee (£175).
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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!
| The monthly ride out
Group ride – August 2022
A fine Saturday morning came in readiness for eight riders to meander and explore the delights of a small part of the Cotswolds.
Departing from Cirencester, we pootled through sleepy villages such as Eastleach Turville, Hatherop and Southrop, ending the ride at Poulton Priory. Each village a picture postcard perfect image of what a Cotswold village should be. With only the one ‘U’ turn at Hatherop, which was on a perfectly gravelled Cotswold stone drive, we meandered along a mix of small country lanes to a short blast on the A40 dual carriageway.
This was a short ride in contrast to the previous months ride. We like to encourage all members to come along and enjoy a group ride. This one, though short, had an abundance of long sweeping bends, narrow lanes, fast dual carriageway and a couple of good stops for tea.
Passing through Bibury we headed out to Coln St Aldwyn, then to Hatherop and Eastleach Turville with its two churches either side of a burbling brook. Turning left once on the Lechlade to Burford road, we stopped just before Burford for a ‘greasy spoon’ cuppa tea or coffee. By now, we had only lost two riders even when using the drop off system, only to rejoin them at this our first stop.
Onto the A40 towards Witney and following signs to Standlake, out to Clanfield and to Radcot where we endured a short wait at the traffic lights with pizza being cooked in the adjacent pub!
Faringdon, Lechlade, Southrop, Hatherop, Eastleach Turville, Coln St Aldwyn. Quenington and finally turning right towards Poulton for our final stop at the Priory!
The ride ended here and after a nice lunch, we went our own way home.
Thanks to the riders that joined me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have since been back to take a slower explore at some of those villages.
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Driven Ohm Racing
Driven Ohm Racing:
Driven Ohm Racing: Summer break is over!
Next round, 29th August.
After
a quiet spell over the summer we had the double disappointment of both
cars being pulled from the July round. Car 887 needed an engine swap
which didn't get done in time, and 905 kept lunching driveshafts.
Both cars are now fighting for, having had both out on track to test them.
We
have both of these cars booked for round 7 of the Castle Combe Hot
Hatch series, and both will also be entering the Dave Allan Trophy race
on the same day. Gary will run his usual 905, and 887 will be helmed by
Steve Waight, who has raced with us before. Last year in a very wet
race, Gary won his class and finished 3rd overall. How can we do this
year?
Follow progress on Facebook @Driven.Ohm.Racing.
Please check the series website for the latest details:
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Call for Bikers From Severn Freewheelers
Many of you will be aware of Severn Freewheelers, the blood bike charity
that provides its free service to the NHS and specifically the Great
Western Trust (GWH) at Swindon. Partly as a result of the Trust’s
response to COVID and the service being better understood by the Trust,
the workload now means we have two bikes serving the area. Last year we
undertook over 2000 jobs for the Swindon Trust. Overall Severn
Freewheelers did over 7000 tasks.
This is a request primarily seeking riders to help support our
operation going forward. Naturally over time people fall away as their
circumstances change, they move away or indeed decide this is no longer
for them.
The service runs 1900hrs to 0700hrs weekdays and 24 hrs at weekends
and public holidays. A typical duty is Wednesday evening till Saturday
evening or Saturday until the Wednesday. You would keep the bike at home
until you handover to the next rider. The bikes are the latest BMW RTs.
A new rider needs to have undertaken his or her advanced test in
the last three years and is required to be retested every three years.
In addition, there would be a check ride undertaken on joining and
further periodic check rides with a nominated assessor. Managing the
risks within the operation is a core value of the charity. There are of
course other roles as coordinators and fund raisers and riders are
expected to contribute beyond simply riding which is vital to maintain
the service. From a response basis, riders need to live within 25 miles
of the Great Western Hospital. Of course training is provided for all
new members.
If this is of interest, please feel free to get in touch.
Geoff
Geoff Brown
Severn Freewheelers
Mob 07399 457703
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Promotional activities
SkillShare - 2022 - see poster above!
BikeSafe Dates for 2022
Wiltshire Police have their last on 4 Sep.BikeSafe:
We have supported 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.
Calne Bike Meet - 30 July 2022 - Our stand cancelled!
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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Covid protocol
We continue to review these protocols at every Committee meeting and see no reason to change them at the moment for the next month espeically as there is an increase in cases. Clearly with the changes in legislation some may feel these protocols are excessive; we continue to have your safety at the forefront of all we do - personal choice must lead the way. We will no longer insist on a lateral flow test as these will no longer be free of charge. The responsibility is on us all to do what we think is right for us and our loved ones. The bottom line is if you do not feel safe doing something then do not do it!!
Wiltshire RoADAR COVID Secure Car Tutoring Protocol
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 the this is up to them.
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).
- Associate and tutor requested to have conducted a lateral flow test within 2 days of the training session. A positive test should be treated as per Government guidelines and precludes training.
- Face covering to be worn by both tutor and associate. These must be in place prior to entering the vehicle.
- Ensure hands are clean (washed for 20 seconds and/or alcohol gel as a minimum) prior to fitting face covering.
- Tutor and associate must not touch their face when in the vehicle or prior to washing/sanitising hands/ or removing gloves if worn.
- 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.
Recommended Additional Mitigation Measures
- Tutor wears disposable gloves when in the vehicle.
- Any equipment taken into the vehicle by the tutor to be sanitised post the session (alcohol wipes or a bleach solution)
- Associate to ensure vehicle interior is cleaned with sanitiser prior to tutor entering the vehicle.
Wiltshire RoADAR COVID Secure 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 Track and Trace protocol.
- It is srequested both the Associate and the Tutor conduct a lateral Flow test no sooner than 2 days prior to the session. A positive test should be treated as per Government guidelines and precludes training.
- 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 useful at all times.
- Avoid busy locations for meeting, follow the latest Government guidelines for the use of cafes and/or 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.
Advice will be updated as and when it is received. But, please follow government guidelines.
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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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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.
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.
Gloucester RoADAR Newsletter
If you are interested in the Gloucester Group newsletter here it is.
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