Well done to the following members who have passed their advanced test / re-test:
Gold
Cam Mowbray (C)
Silver
Sid Yule (M)
Chris Hearn (M)
Kevin Brockway (M)
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A warm welcome to new group members:
David Jones (M)
Jonathan Webster (M)
Steven Eldridge (M)
John Keane (C)
Andrew Matthews (M)
Andy Davies (M)
Ian Shore (M)
David Richards (M)
Kerry Cornish (M)
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Sun 25 Aug 2024
Group Ride: Devil's Bridge
September 2024 (tbc)
Tech Talk: Time Distance Speed
Sat 26 Oct 2024
Tutor refresher event
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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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My time as Chair is nearly over and I’ve reflected on what’s been achieved over almost 3 years.
The Group is firmly back on its feet again. Our members, in many different committee and other roles, have achieved a huge amount in terms of getting the group up and running again after Covid. Glos RoADAR members – you - did all the hard work and provided ideas, support, enthusiasm and commitment across a wide range of activities, both seen and unseen.
As a result, our recruiting is going well, we now have a branded set of all-weather materials for outdoor displays, our marketing and promotional activities and materials are highly rated, we have a great team of Tutors (both car and motorcycle), Tutor training is providing more new Tutors, eight new Advanced Tutors have been trained, branded Tutor clothing / hi-vis vests have significantly improved our visibility, Technical Talks have been revived, we restarted public events at Prescott Bike festival and the Glos Police Open Day, member engagement has improved with regular newsletters and update e-mails, group motorcycle rides re-start in August, the website has been updated and much, much more.
All this means we are better able to serve the needs of our associates and improve road safety.
Thank you all so much for your contribution(s). We could not have done it without you.
Stephen
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New Honorary Member: Adam Slaughter |
I am delighted to announce that the Committee has approved the award of Honorary Member to Adam Slaughter, RoSPA Diploma (Car) and Glos RoADAR Advanced Tutor (Car).
Beginning in the mid-1970s Adam spent over 20 years teaching L plate motorcyclists and coaching full licence riders. In the late 1970s Richard Smith who had formed and was working in Glos Road Safety along with Garry Handley OBE. Adam joined them and Glos RoADAR and, over the years ran non-advanced motorcycle training and participated in numerous police road safety videos.
In 1979-80 Adam was taught advanced driving by Ron Harley who founded the original RoSPA RoADAR group in Gloucestershire. Shortly after this Ron Harley moved away from Gloucestershire and the RoSPA group folded so Adam joined the IAM in 1979. He was the first person in a single calendar year to gain DVSA Licences AND advanced test passes for both car and motorcycle.
Adam became an IAM observer aged 19 but in his first year, having encountered resistance due to his youth, gave it up. However, many friends and acquaintances knew how good he was as an Observer so asked him ‘unofficially’ to teach them how to ride / drive.
By April 1996 Adam, who had begun his working life as a Warehouseman, had made it to Senior Manager in a £multi-million business. That business was later sold so Adam took a break, left the company and began job-hunting, without success. He trained and qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor (Cars) in 1999 and in July that year founded Adam’s Driving Institute, a very successful venture. 4-5 years later he was invited to re-join Gloucestershire Road Safety Unit, again working with Garry Handley, and over time became the lead instructor on Speed Awareness and Drink / Driving Courses as part of a very small team.
Adam taught himself how to decipher body language and soon became adept. As a result, he was given the most difficult clients to work with and soon built a solid reputation as a trouble-shooter.
Adam is a lifelong learner and signed up for the IAM Certified Advanced Trainer. He joined RoSPA in 2006 and, during the second meeting he attended, was drafted onto the Committee as Newsletter Editor for 18 months and was elected as Chair 2008. After 8-9 years, due to increasing family commitments, Adam handed over as Chair to Nigel Warwick.
Stephen Wilkinson-Carr presents
Adam’s certificate
Enviably, over his career, Adam has done anything and everything driving and riding. He hasn’t ridden a motorcycle for a few years but will return to biking. When asked about where Advanced Driving is today, he replied: “It’s a bit stuck in the 90s. Vehicles have moved on with assistive technology. My first Ford Focus had 45 on-board micro-computers; my latest one has 202! Stalling is thing of the past. Hill start assist means that new cars shouldn’t roll backward. The real problems begin when new drivers buy older cars that lack such assistance. The impact is that people think they’re better than they are but don’t understand the basic laws of physics [and how they affect driving].”
Adam’s top tips:
- Smooth and steady
- Look far and wide
- Look for space and time
- Enjoy life
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New Car Tutor: Leah Tomkins |
It is with the greatest pleasure that I can announce we have a new Car Section Group Tutor: Leah Tomkins.
Her story:
"Ironically, my journey to advanced driving began with a speed awareness course! I was on maternity leave, had a crying baby in the back of the car, was late for a friend (absolutely no excuse, I know!), and was caught doing 36mph in a 30mph limit. However, the online speed awareness course was an eye-opener; it taught me a lot about the logic behind setting speed limits and the risks to other road users when drivers exceed them by as little as 1mph. I actually really enjoyed it and they recommended the advanced driving course for people who wanted to improve their driving skills, road safety and passenger experience. Due to this, and to prove a point to my critical husband, I decided to undertake the advanced driving course with RoSPA.
I started my training in August 2022 with my Tutor, Stefan Wilczak. I was nervous and have always had issues with self-confidence but he was encouraging and patient. I love learning so I absorbed the theory in Roadcraft easily. The practical side of things took more work, helped by a check drive with Andrew Pegg. I remember him saying "I will charge you £1 for every pothole you drive through". This taught me a quick lesson! I took my advanced test in January 2023, just before I went back to work. I was extremely nervous throughout the drive, and surprised (and pleased) to learn that I had achieved Gold.
From that moment on, I was keen to become a Tutor. I have extensive experience in coaching, teaching, education and training and love it. However, personal circumstances (divorce) meant that another year went by before I did anything about it. I have also suffered from travel sickness since childhood, so I wasn't sure how I would cope! Andrew Pegg was allocated as my Advanced Tutor and the memories of my check drive made me immediately nervous! But every session was enjoyable and educational; he put me at ease and we had a laugh along the way. We even used my son's toy car to demonstrate the tyre grip trade-off over a coffee! I am excited to begin my journey as a Group Tutor and hope to inspire others to do the same." Leah Tomkins
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Tutor Refresher Event: 26 October 2024 |
Group Motorcyle Ride: Sun 25 Aug 24 Devil's Bridge |
Ride Leader: Stephen Wilkinson-Carr 07976 644485
Route
Eligible riders
This is a ride for Glos RoADAR, experienced, graded advanced riders only.
If you are a Tutor with an associate who rides very well, is test ready and who you’d like to invite to join us then please do not do so unless you’ve spoken to the Ride Leader before 25 Aug 24.
Start location
Costa Coffee, Unit 3, St Oswald’s Retail Park, Gloucester GL1 2UE
N51 52.389 W02 14.813 https://w3w.co/rescue.lend.closet
0820 Briefing by Ride Leader
0830 Depart
0940 Fuel Tenbury Wells N52 18.863 W02
35.646 https://w3w.co/crest.observes.dumps
1005 Tea Stop (30 mins)
Ludlow Pantry, Ludlow Farmshop, Bromfield, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 2JR
https://ludlowfarmshop.co.uk/visit-us/ludlow-pantry/
N52 23.323 W02 45.668 https://w3w.co/scarcely.utensil.parent
1240 Lunch (1 hour)
Woodlands Café, Devil’s Bridge, A4120, Aberystwyth, SY23 3JW
https://www.facebook.com/woodlandstearoomsdevilsbridge
N52 22.717 W03 50.775 https://w3w.co/dated.wolves.snooze
1435 Fuel Crossgates N52 16.507 W3 20.071
https://w3w.co/cubic.cycles.mailers
1500 Tea Stop (30 mins)
The Cattle Shed, Penrhos Court, A44, Kington, HR5 3LH
https://www.penrhos-court.co.uk/dining/
N52 11.942 W03 0.069 https://w3w.co/secret.conceals.donates
1700-ish Ride ends
End location
Costa Coffee, Unit 3, St Oswald’s Retail Park, Gloucester GL1 2UE
N51 52.389 W02 14.813 https://w3w.co/rescue.lend.closet
Map and satnav files will be e-mailed to all Glos RoADAR motorcyclists.
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On 23rd June Glos RoADAR set up its stand at the Prescott Bike Festival.
We had a team of willing volunteers to staff the stand during the day. Many thanks for your time and enthusiasm to: Heather Battson, Karlia Bradley-Boddy, Kevin Brockway, Rachel Brown, Phil Cavanagh, IJ Cox, Nigel Cullis, Marion Tunwell, Phil Wesley, Stephen Wilkinson-Carr and Sid Yule.
It was a glorious day and we were ready for the hoards to descend...
Phil W, Phil C and Heather at the start of the day
The Giant 'Beat The Buzzer' pulled the crowds in and led to many chats about road safety in general and RoADAR in particular.
Rachel and Kevin doing a grand job on
the Giant Buzzer
The Buzzer took real concentration and there were two excellent prizes on offer.
Disappointingly, most exhibitors and nearly all the general public had left the Festival by 3 p.m. even though the
event was not due to end until 5 p.m.
Perhaps it was something to do with a major international football match being played that afternoon?
The prize winners had already left the site so unfortunately there are no photographs of them receiving their prizes (delivered after the event).
For the first time this year the newly-formed South Warwickshire Advanced Motorcyclists group (RoADAR affiliated) had a stand. We had arranged for it to be colocated with us and it meant the public could visit two RoADAR stands. Rachel and Heather encouraging intergroup cooperation.
IJ taking a turn at running the Giant Buzzer
It was a very successful day in terms of enaging with the public and promoting the group to new members.
Marion and Stephen mid-afternoon wondering where everyone's got to...
Again, thank you to all the volunteers who helped run the stand. We couldn't do it without you. See you next year perhaps?
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Why Advanced Driving / Riding? |
What are the benefits?
These are some of the benefits enjoyed by advanced drivers and riders after training with Gloucestershire Advanced Drivers And Riders:
Increased safety; keep yourself, your passenger(s) and other road users safe
Reduced risk; using anticipation and planning skills
Increased awareness; being more observant and using enhanced handling skills to anticipate changes around you
Increased passenger comfort; with good forward planning and anticipation, your driving / riding will become smoother and more relaxed
More enjoyment; experience the satisfaction of driving / riding from A to B more smoothly with more time to react to the unexpected
Greater control; by understanding and knowing how to deal with the various forces that affect your vehicle
Increased confidence; learn how to anticipate and deal with expected and the unexpected road and traffic situations
Reduced wear and tear; get more out of your vehicle by learning advanced machine control methods
Discounted insurance; many insurance companies offer a discount to advanced drivers / riders
Save money on fuel; using defensive driving / riding and forward planning techniques to achieve greater control and better fuel efficiency
Enhance your CV; gain a professional qualification you can put on your CV
What is advanced driving / riding?
Advanced driving / riding is the ability to control the position and speed of the vehicle safely, systematically and smoothly, using road and traffic conditions to progress unobtrusively with skill and responsibility.
This skill requires a positive but courteous attitude and a high standard of driving / riding competence based on concentration, effective all-round observation, anticipation, and planning. This must be co-ordinated with good handling skills.
An advanced driver / rider will always have their vehicle in the right place on the road, at the right time, travelling at the right speed with the correct gear engaged and can always stop safely on their own side of the road in the distance they can see to be clear (DSA, RoADAR, IAM, 1997).
What will you learn?
Our driver / rider training is provided on a one-to-one basis. All our tutors are volunteers and have passed the advanced driving / riding test, hold a current tutor qualification and are registered with RoADAR HQ.
You will learn how to drive / ride:
Safely – By being safer you give yourself more time to react, to both expected and unexpected situations, and improve your own and passenger confidence in your ability.
Systematically – By doing things in a systematic way, one thing at a time, you will learn how to ensure your vehicle is in the right place, at the right speed, in an appropriate gear and capable of being stopped, on your own side of the road, in the distance you can see to be clear. We use the Police System of Car / Motorcycle Control acronym IPSGA (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration).
Smoothly – By learning how to use vehicle controls in a smoother, and more controlled, way you and any passenger will feel more comfortable and relaxed.
At an appropriate Speed – Learn how to drive at the appropriate speed, making progress and showing restraint when necessary.
What does it cost?
Training is free for car drivers who use their own vehicle with an assigned Tutor.
Motorcyclists pay a £15 contribution toward the Tutor’s costs per training session.
It’s important that you to commit time to regular training sessions.
Car and Motorcycle Tests
The RoSPA advanced test is widely regarded as the highest civilian driving / riding standard available. The test is based on the Police Foundation publication 'Roadcraft: The Police Drivers Handbook' or 'Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Riders Handbook' and the Highway Code. A thorough understanding of both Roadcraft and the Highway Code will be required to pass the test at a high standard.
Test Standards
Gold is only awarded to the driver / rider who shows a consistently high standard of driving / riding throughout the test. The driver / rider will demonstrate a confidence in their ability together with a thorough understanding of the principles contained in Roadcraft / Motorcycle Roadcraft and how to apply those principles to situations that occur during the test.
Silver is awarded to candidates who display a skill level well above the average. They will show a thorough understanding of the principles contained in Roadcraft / Motorcycle Roadcraft and how to apply those principles to situations that occur during the test. The driver / rider will make safe systematic progress however not demonstrating the consistency, final polish and smoothness of the Gold grade candidate.
A Bronze grade will be awarded to those candidates who show that they have an understanding of, and the ability to apply, the principles of advanced driving / riding demonstrating a good level of observations and anticipation, but not doing so consistently throughout the test. They will however drive / ride in a safe and legal manner, to a standard that is significantly above that required to pass the appropriate DVSA test.
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Most Romantic Street in Britain: Lower Slaughter |
A quintessentially English village road in a Cotswolds village has been voted the most romantic street in Britain. Copse Hill Road in Lower Slaughter won the Google Street View award after two weeks of voting by more than 20,000 people.
The Cotswolds are famous for the honey-hued stone architecture. The golden colour of the buildings adds so much charm to the already very pretty towns and villages. This Loppio Oolitic Limestone has been quarried in the area for hundreds of years. The enchanting colour actually varies in shade depending on where it was quarried. In the north of the Cotswolds, the stone has a rich honey hue. As you travel south, the stone takes on a creamier colour.
Some photos from my visit on 1 July 2024:
Lower Slaughter is definitely one of the more attractive Cotswold villages.
Most romantic?
You'll just have to visit to decide.
Enjoy your outing.
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I came across an art trail in west Cheltenham that includes ten pieces of public art.
One of those is the ‘The Listening Stones’ installation in Hesters Way Park (sometimes called Fishy Park) beside GCHQ in Cheltenham.
It is a set of 9 large glacial granite boulders, worked and lettered individually, on the theme of communication and covered with code, ciphers, etc.
Location of the centre of the Listening Stones.
The stones were sculpted by Gordon Young and installed in 2004. Featured on the stones are encrypted messages, words and puzzles inspired by the work of GCHQ, text messaging, newspaper headlines and the first words children learn to read at school.
The sculptures were donated at the cost of £150,000 by IAP, one of the companies involved in the construction of The GCHQ ‘Doughnut', under a Cheltenham public arts scheme.
Architectural granite supplied by Galloway
I think I'll have to visit some of the other public art works if they're as interesting as this one.
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Technical Talk: Making Progress (AKA The SLAP Test) |
On 28th May Stephen Wilkinson-Carr delivered a well-attended Technical Talk on Making Progress at the Highnam Community Centre.
The main aim of the talk was to introduce / remind people about the SLAP test which was developed by the police as a way of assessing an opportunity to make progress.
He used many video examples of optimistic manoeuvres by drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists and asked the audience to assess for themselves whether that manoeuvre passed the SLAP test.
Lots of discussion and decision making in small groups began by asking how each group defined 'Making progress'.
Some great defintions emerged, many of which were very similar to some suggested defintions contributed by police officers and road safety professionals.
Then it was time to start appyling the SLAP test to the various video examples.
Stephen also showed examples of drivers & riders passing the SLAP test (it wasn't just doom, gloom and mayhem). Here's one example of excellent motorcycle filtering.
Lots of enthusiastic discussion took place and everyone contributed excellent thoughts and ideas. At the end of the evening everyone had a clearer idea about one method for evaluatiing any potential manoeuvre.
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Our second annual Signpost Rally, organised and superbly run by Karen Snowdon, took place on Saturday 29th June and again we had a group of enthusiastic signpost detectives ready for a grand day out.
The task was to find the location of 12 photographed signposts around the Cotswolds, plot them on a map and then work out a route to visit just 8 of them (national Rally rules apply) and answer some fiendish questions.
Here's an idea of how the day progressed.
Let the sleuthing begin!
Everyone's in good spirits L-R Marion, Mike, Dave, Karen (organiser), Rob, Andie, Mel, Paul, Colin, Cally, Cathy, Jayne & Neil
Marion and Mike hard at work
Perhaps Neil wasn't ready for his close-up?
Karen Snowdon, the organiser, with helper Paul keeping an eye on things
L-R Mel, Jayne, Neil, Andie, Cally
Rob seemed concerned about secrecy...
Mike, Marion and Karen
Neil was almost ready this time.
Mike Dave Cally
All hard at work plotting the various signposts' locations
Mike and Marion almost ready for the road
Dave was first to set off
Rob, Cathy and Colin weren't far behind
Jayne & Neil ready to go
Mel and Cally ready for their Cotswolds tour
Some great shots from Mel while on his travels
The infamous gate; how many arrow heads are ON the gate
i.e. not above it, not beside it, ON it? Fiendish isn't it?
Sandwich buffet after all their hard work (and time for the Highway Code Quiz)
The winner, Dave Hoskins, being presented his prize by organiser Karen Snowdon.
Very well done Dave.
Runners up, Cathy, Colin and Rob receive their prize from Karen Snowdon.
Well done all.
A huge thank you to Karen Snowdon for running such an enjoyabale event.
Hope to see many of you at next year's Signpost Rally.
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By the mid-18th century, the phrase "On tenterhooks" came to mean being in a state of tension, uneasiness, anxiety, or suspense, i.e., figuratively stretched like the cloth on the tenter.
An undyed cloth being stretched on a wooden tenter, with
the small tenterhooks visible, to dry outdoors.
The hooks that attach the fabric to the frame are known as tenterhooks which is where we get the phrase ‘to be on tenterhooks’, meaning to be in a state of suspense. The tenter frames, also known as racks, were set up in tenter grounds or tenter fields, and many street names bear evidence of this to this day, such as Rack Lane in Exeter and Tenter Street in Sheffield. Who knew?
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Recommended Books (Clickable) |
Chair - Stephen Wilkinson-Carr
Secretary - Rebekah Yarranton
Treasurer - David Blackledge
Membership Secretary - Ben Mitchell
Car Coordinator - Mike Hall
Motorcycle Coordinator - Paul Smith
WebMaster - Phil Wesley
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