Dates For Your Diary
Next meeting is on 25th May
From 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start .
Our very own Jackie Prictor discusses horses and traffic on the road.
Do you have a topic you would like discussed, or know of an interesting speaker? Please contact speaker at speakers@wiltshireroadar.co.uk
SkillShare & Social
2 May 2026 meeting at the REME Museum Cafe, Lyneham. 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 17 May Details will be forthcoming via email to all bike members.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to the following members who have passed their Advanced Tests recently:
Please welcome the following to the Group:
Richard Williams - Bike
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We are reviewing the process for purchase of branded clothing - please bear with us |
Newsletter Content
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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As Spring takes hold and the weather has been warmer, and a lot drier, thoughts turn to making road trips either by car or motorcycle; or in my case, a recent trip across to the Netherlands in our camper van. To help prepare for a safe trip, the National Highways agency have put together some tips for a road trip! See separate T.R.I.P. article below.
It was agreed at the Committee meeting that we should move the monthly Group Meeting to a more central Wiltshire location to attract more of our members. Due to hall availability this also means moving the meeting date too. Starting in May, we will be regularly meeting on the fourth Monday which is the 25th (and we realise a bank holiday too) that we will meet at Nursteed Village Hall, from 19:30. See below for more details and address.
You will note from our upcoming events we are hosting a stand at the Calne Bike meet on 25 July. I am most grateful to Jan Taylor who has volunteered to coordinate our attendance at the event but he needs your help.
We have to set up the stand at about 0730, occupy it during the day to talk to prospective members and collapse it at the end (about 1600). We need to cover the whole day and you don't have to be a biker (we have recruited car members here before) or a tutor - you just need to talk to people who may be interested in what we do. You do not need to be there all day but a shift of an hour or 2 will really help us out. It is a fun day out to boot with lots of interesting things to see. Without the support of members this will fail (we had to cancel our site one year due to a lack of support) so please if you can spare some time on Saturday 25 July to come to Calne.
Apology - In our last newsletter we incorrectly identified Keith Johnston's tutor as Les Brown. It was in fact Tony Chalkly who helped him pass his car test - as did Les who conducted the check drive. Thanks Tony and Les and well done Keith.
Hope to see more of you at out and about in the coming weeks and months.
Peter - on behalf of the Chair
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New Group Meeting Location, and date
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As a Wiltshire group, it was decided to move the location of the monthly Group Meeting to Nursteed Community Centre, 19:30 to 21:30 with the objective of being a more central location that it would attract members from around the county.
However, with this comes a change of day too; still a Monday, but now the fourth Monday of the month.
May’s Group meeting will therefore be May 25th at 19:30 (we do realise this is a bank holiday). And this particular talk will be delivered by our very own Jackie Prictor about horses and traffic on the road.
The address is Nursteed Community Centre, Nursteed Rd, Devizes SN10 3AF
What3words ///boarding.imprinted.rebounds
Hope to see you there!
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First aid at work with Helmet Removal
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We are running another First Aid course with Helmet Removal with our partner, Wiltshire First Aid on the 17 May at Urchfont Village Hall. Do to changing circumstances, we have four spaces to fill; drop me a line if you’re wanting to attend – it will be first come first served though we are prioritising tutors.
Peter Genet
genetpete574@gmail.com
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Have a safe T.R.I.P. this month!
The National Highways Agency has launched a campaign for a safe trip, called, T.R.I.P. https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/trip/
As the days get longer and the weather starts to improve, many families will be planning longer journeys. But with the number of breakdowns on motorways and major A roads continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever to carry out your Safe T.R.I.P. Checks before setting off.
More than half (53%) of UK driving licence holders have broken down on a major road, yet 17% say they don’t usually carry out basic vehicle safety checks before long journeys.*
On average, drivers who have broken down on a major road say they were delayed by more than two hours, with 24% arriving late for plans; 20% left stranded; and 18% having to cancel their plans altogether.
Breakdowns can also bring unexpected costs. For example:
- 25% required towing, costing £257 on average
- 22% needed tyre repairs or replacements, costing £231 on average
- 10% needed a courtesy car or replacement vehicle, typically costing £434
Pre-journey vehicle checks can help avoid these disruptions. In fact, 29% of drivers who experienced a breakdown on a major road, think it could have been prevented if they had completed them before leaving.
Before you travel, plan your route, check the weather forecast, and keep an eye on traffic updates or delays. Spring weather conditions can still be unpredictable, with rain, snow and ice all possible. Taking a few minutes to prepare before you set off can help prevent breakdowns, reduce disruption and keep everyone moving safely this spring.
*based on a survey of 3,271 UK driving licence holders aged 18+ in February 2026.
Learn your SAFE T.R.I.P. CHECKS
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Notices
Merchandise
The eagle eyed of you will have noticed the merchandise section of the newsletter has been removed. There is little demand for this and we do not really hold any stock (a poor use of our money). We are looking at a way of providing branded clothing to those who need it and will publish the results of our efforts as soon as we can – please bear with us.
Committee Members
A number of people have asked who is who in the zoo. The list of Officers for the Group is on the website here. Feel free to join us (I know the list of Committee members is a little out of date as Nick Carrington is a member, we have lost Steve Allsworth – thanks for your time and effort Steve, and have gained Scott Bonnell – thanks for your commitment Scott)
Calne Bike Meet - 25 July
We have booked a stand for the Calne Bike Meet this year. more details to follow but please do book some time in your diary to help on the stand if you can. We recruit a lot of members, mainly bikers, but we do get the message across to car drivers as well. Please come and support the group recruiting efforts - and have some fun into the bargain.
Atwell Motor Museum
We are hoping to have a stand in the annual festival at the Atwell Motor Museum near Calne. More details to follow but again please help out at this promotional events. This is a great opportuity to chat to motoring ensthusiasts and to see some classic cars.
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Saturday Social
The venue for our monthly Saturday Social is at the REME Museum Café in Lyneham.
Bring a friend and join us on the first Saturday of the month at the Wiltshire RoADAR Saturday Social.
You never know what/who may turn up!
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 - REME Museum, Calne Rd, Lyneham, Chippenham SN15 4XX
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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!
Rideout - REME and cake!
April’s ride-out took place on 19 April, starting and finishing at REME Museum Cafe, with stops at the Black Shed Café and the AV8 Café. The ride was led by Paul Prictor, with Cyril Lockett as Tail End Charlie.
Ten of us met at REME Museum Cafe at 9:30am on a beautiful spring morning. After everyone signed the disclaimer, Paul gave a briefing on the route and the drop-off system.
We’d phoned ahead, and the Black Shed had reserved a table for us. The route was an easy mix of A and B roads, plus a few unclassified lanes, taking us down Dauntsey Banks, through the Somerfords and Malmesbury, and into Tetbury. After a quick left turn in Tetbury, we continued via Didmarton and a few smaller villages, reaching the Black Shed at about 11:30—around 90 minutes in the saddle.
Following a one-hour stop, we set off for the AV8 Café for tea and cake. That leg was another 90 minutes, with Paul adding a few twisty sections; heading south from Stroud we turned left up Bear Hill, crossed Minchinhampton Common, and descended a hill known as “The W” (the name says it all). We then carried on via Nailsworth and Avening to the AV8. After refreshments, a few riders headed home from there, while the rest of us completed the final leg back to REME Museum Cafe.
Paul Prictor
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Upcoming event - A camping trip!
A trip is being planned for the first May bank holiday weekend. Saturday 2 nd May, riding down to Caffyns Farm campsite, staying overnight, and riding back the next day. See their website for more information https://www.exmoorcoastholidays.co.uk/
Come and say cheerio as we depart the REME Museum cafe at 10am!
This is open to all members of the group, including car members.
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Farm Fest 26!
Farm fest 26 Clay shoot is in aid of helping the Prospect Hospice, they are in dire need of funds as they can currently only offer 6 beds for end of life patients. How sad and wrong is that? They get a miserable 18.6% of their income from the government and need our help for the rest.
Each entry into the clay shoot pays £50 and all of that goes to the Prospect Hospice. We have a maximum of 40 spaces and once taken there are no more, refreshments are available in the form of Dorothy Prictors Tea and cake stall.
The Clay Shoot runs from 12.00 to 15.00.
The evening party starts of with a fantastic band called Mudflap, very apt for a farm. Then we have the charity auction, loads of fantastic lots, drive the combine, hot air balloon ride, flight in a light aircraft between the Severn Bridges and a lap of your home, a weeks vacation in a fantastic house in Cornwall that sleeps 8, free tickets to motorcycle trail riding, plus other lots.
Then we finish the night with a local Calne band called Six O Clock Circus. A voluntary donation on entry would be well received.
Last year we raised over £4,000 for a very deserving charity.
Please attend and help us do even better.
Paul Prictor
paulgprictor@gmail.com
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British Medics request to curb the proliferation of SUVs
Experts writing in the BMJ, a leading medical journal, have called for urgent policy intervention to curb the proliferation of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), citing their significant harms to public health and safety. The opinion article highlights that the increasing size and popularity of SUVs – which now account for nearly half of new car sales globally – is directly responsible for greater risk on the roads, particularly for vulnerable users.
Evidence cited shows that a pedestrian or cyclist faces an alarming 44 per cent relative increase in the likelihood of death if struck by an SUV compared with a standard car, largely due to the vehicle’s taller, squarer bonnet striking the victim higher and creating greater driver blind spots. Beyond trauma risk, these heavier, larger vehicles exacerbate air quality issues through increased non- exhaust emissions – fine particulate matter from brake and tyre wear – which now dominate pollution in many European cities and are linked to chronic illness. Furthermore, the greater use of raw materials presents a major hurdle to climate goals. The experts urge governments to reverse this trend through immediate policy changes, including reforming tax charges on large vehicles and implementing weight-based parking fees, alongside the introduction of a ‘child visibility test’ within safety rating programmes like Euro NCAP.
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CHANGING THE LANGUAGE
The RoadPeace 'Crash not accident' campaign calls for policy makers and the media to stop using the word 'accident' when referring to road crashes, and to adopt appropriate,
constructive and accurate terminology such as 'crash' or 'collision.'
Jo Shinner, Chief Constable of Sussex and national lead for road Policing, is actively supporting a change in the language we tend to use.
Use this link to listen to her speak about the difference it can make.
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Roadcraft updates
October 2025 saw introductions of new versions of Roadcraft.
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Promotional activities
SkillShare - has retruned! If you know someone who wants to learn about the Group bring them to the Saturday Social on the first Saturday of the Month at Crown's Cafe at the REME Museum in Lyneham.
Successfully supported by Wiltshire RoADAR motorcycle tutors and WABAM Observers. Dates for 2026 are below:
All are on a Sunday at Devizes Police Station unless otherwise stated:
May
10th
July
5th
12th
September
13th
October
4th
Calne Bike Meet and Atwell Motor Museum
We are returning to the Calne Bike Meet - 25 July 2026 - and the Atwell Motor Museum - dates tbc.
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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New year, new motorcycle touring company!
After planning, organising and enjoying several motorcycle trips to places such as the Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees and Ireland, amongst others, Peter Genet has, along with a couple of advanced riding, albeit IAM, friends set-up www.tiptoptours.co.uk These tours are encouraging riders to explore and enjoy more their riding amongst like-minded riders. After all, “I ride not to go anywhere, but to ride. I ride for riding’s sake. The great adventure is to ride!”
The Austrian Alps is almost full; bookings still being taken for the Dolomites and Scottish Borders. We are also putting together 2027's schedule including an early spring dash to Spain!
Look forward to seeing you soon!
Peter Genet |
Taking both Car and Bike tests?
We have a handful of people who have passed both their car and bike tests. If you wish to do the same it can be confusing as we include the training in your membership of Wiltshire RoADAR but your membership of RoSPA only covers free retests for one vehicle type. My thanks to Ryan Jones who clarified the situation with RoSPA.
If you are already a bike member, you can just pay for an interim car test @ £55. Your main membership would be bike (first one to pass) so "free" retests would be for bike. Each car retest would be same interim @ £55.
The interim test is accessed from the RoSPA member area here:
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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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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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