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Page 1: Link 270 2014 09
Page 2: Link 270 2014 09

THE LINK

the newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists

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the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 1

The Newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists

We hope you will find this September newsletter interesting.

This LINK is a little different. There is much Group and Chiswick News. A few Letters. A Meeting Summary of Freewheelers Motorcycle EVS, and to continue the theme there’s a Motorcycle article near the back.

On the back page are Contact Details for the Club Committee. Members, feel free to contact us to talk about what the Club is doing, and what you would like to see it do. In the middle find details of upcoming meetings, 3-in-a-Car driving update sessions, etc. on the Calendar. We hope to see you at (even just) one of our events soon.

Got something to say? Please don’t be shy. Contact the Editor now.

Find more information on our website www.iam-bristol.org.uk - in fact, this newsletter is put-up there about a week after you receive this hard copy. Would you like to read it there and cancel your hard copy? You can also sign up to our email distribution of IAM and Group news releases.

Regards, PAUL, the Editor

Bristol Advanced Motorists Registered Charity No 289807

Run entirely by volunteers Affiliated to the IAM Ltd: Group no: 1009

Secretary. 22 Highfields Close, Stoke Gifford, BRISTOL BS34 8YB Tel: 0117 979 8061 email: [email protected]

The LINK is produced every 2 months and is displayed freely on our website www.iam-bristol.org.uk

Paper copies are printed, collated and despatched by Group volunteers.

Views expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors. Those views do not necessarily represent those of the Editor, the Committee of Bristol Advanced Motorists, or IAM Chiswick. The Group reserves the right to edit or otherwise amend original materiel submitted for publication. If you wish to reproduce any materiel in other publications or places, then please credit the LINK, Bristol Advanced Motorists, as the source.

If you want to write something for the LINK – or advertise – contact: [email protected] 0117 960 8494

21 De Verose Court Hanham BRISTOL BS15 3SW

COPY DEADLINE for the next issue is: Sat 11th October

Circulation 450 no: 270 Sept 2014

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Contents this Issue

page Editorial 3 IAM Social Media 4 A new Phone Number for Enquiries 5 Recent IAM Test Successes 6 Refresher Course - Group Membership Stats 7 Star Letter to the Editor 8 More Letters to the Editor 10 Group News 13 IAM Chiswick News 16 Future Meeting Speakers 18 Three-in-a-Car Dates 18 Further Advanced Driving Course for 2015 19 Speakers for September and November 20 BAWA Location Map 20 CALENDAR – WHAT’S ON ? 21 Volunteers Needed - Charity Cashback Scheme 22 Freewheelers EVS at Monthly Meeting 23 Has Advanced Driving Changed? 25 Local Observer Requirements 27 Meet Steve George 28 What is a Midi-roundabout? 29 Driving News Items 30 66 years old in July 2014 34 I’m Gaining on a Slower Rider 35 Interested in Advanced Motorbiking? 37 A Blast from the Past – Portishead Show 38 Course / Assessment / Refresher / Dates 39 CONTACT US: your guide to who does what 40

All content compiled by the Editor unless otherwise credited. Contributors:  Phil Baber, Valerie Bearne, Geoff Bevan, Andew Coltart,  

Martin Evans, Steve George, Mark Gollop, Andrew Nicholls, Clare Reeves,  Ken Rossiter, Sgt Colin Taylor, Derek, Jackie, Mike, Vera.  

Thank‐you also to all people talked to during research, including  Mark Trimmer, Paul Woozley, Sandra Worsfold. 

 

Photos by the Editor and unknown sources, unless credited individually. 

READ THIS NEWSLETTER ONLINE – OR BE NOTIFIED IT’S READY

The LINK will continue to be printed and mailed – in the short-term at least. For those who request it, we can delete you from the mailing list and instead send you an email notification that the LINK has been put-up on our website www.iam-bristol.org.uk We currently have ten Members plus one Complimentary on that list.

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Editorial by the Editor, of course

ATTENTION: INTER-GROUP QUIZ Tuesday 16th Sept at Weston. To join the quiz team, phone Secretary Martin straight away - we only have one person but need a team of 3. ATTENTION: THREE-IN-A-CAR VENUE If you are going to the Three-in-a-Car on 13th September – and I am sure you are - go to GORDANO SERVICES. Calendar in centre pages. DON’T BIN IT – PASS IT ON for publicity When you have finished with your LINK, don’t throw it away. Please pass it on to a relation, friend or work colleague - or take it to a Surgery or Dentist’s waiting room (if allowed under H&S rules), company rest room, or similar. It gets our name out there – and maybe attracts a new Associate. APOLOGIES DEPT The Editor unreservedly apologises to all members for various errors, omissions and inaccuracies in the last newsletter. The Editor has spoken to a couple of contributors concerned, and has apologised. THE EDITOR WRITES MOST OF THE MATERIEL IN THE LINK I must point out this fact to readers. Any piece without a ‘by line’ alongside the title is written or compiled in some way by the Editor. One Member writes, “I do think it’s important in general, that the LINK has a fairly positive outlook on the IAM – it is the voice of the Group, not the Editor’s! If you want to put your own views forward I think you should make it clear via the ‘ Letters ’ page or via a clear statement it is your own viewpoint as a member.”

I admit that not everyone thinks that the sun shines out of every window at IAM House, but I thought that I was neutral in reporting things. The member’s statement quoted above implies otherwise. Oh, how I wish I could purely edit the LINK content. But sadly, committee reports are a thing of the past, as are event and meeting reports, and general contributions. So there is little to edit. For a Newsletter to exist, someone has to prepare materiel, and that currently falls to the Editor, using Minutes, notes of what is said at meetings, etc. That situation puts the Editor in a difficult, almost untenable position.

Regarding any content, it says on the front page of every LINK issue: “Views expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors. Those views do not necessarily represent those of the Editor, the Committee of Bristol Advanced Motorists, or IAM Chiswick.”

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COLLATION VOLUNTEERS Thank-you to the team who assemble the LINK, staple it together and stuff it into envelopes. At the July evening the following helpers were at BAWA: Anne Attwood, Mike Ballard, Roger Joint, Dave Pengelly, and John Tyrrell. And thanks to Andrew Nicholls, who not only prints it at home, but also affixes stamps and address labels to the envelopes. POSTAL DELIVERY OF THE LINK Due to proposed changes by Royal Mail involving an earlier 3pm ‘last collection’ time, whereby delivery staff will, for efficiency, also collect some mail, your LINK may be delivered a day later than normal. THE FUTURE OF THE LINK There is a supply of covers to last until the end of 2015, but committee wishes to eventually go all-electronic with the newsletter, and new Associates are to be encouraged from the start to take the electronic option. Committee has advised the Editor to consider reducing the number of pages and reduce the content, particularly general news and articles.

One of our neighbouring Groups has already gone electronic-only, whilst others now produce only a few hard copies. Another of our neighbouring Groups has had no newsletter at all since February, because no-one has volunteered to take-on the post of Editor since the previous one resigned.

Do you use Un-Social Media?

IAM Chiswick is moving heavily into the unsocial media sphere. You can ‘like’ the IAM on Facebook, follow the IAM on Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+, and subscribe to the IAM’s YouTube channel. In addition, IAM Drive & Survive has its own Twitter account.

Bristol Group is not so heavily involved – but look at our efforts. Open access. No need to be a registered user. DON’T DO IT WHILST DRIVING THOUGH ! ! !

View our ‘open’ Facebook page. www.facebook.com/BristolAdvancedMotorists

Freely see all tweets on our Twitter account.

@iam_bristol  

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0117 256 5555 The new public contact number for the Group If any Member of the public wants to find out about the Group or our courses, this is now the number to ring – 0117 256 5555.

It is not a physical phone line, it’s a ‘virtual’ number that we rent. Calls to it are redirected by us, via an online control, to landlines. For example, calls may be directed to Martin. If it’s not answered, it rings Geoff’s phone. It may go to an answering machine to let callers leave a message. If the caller hangs-up we are sent an email with details of the missed call.

The old number, 07071 201173, will continue in operation in parallel for 12 months at least, to cater for people looking at old publicity.

Why have we changed? Committee has been concerned that potential Associates may be reluctant to dial the 07071 number because of the premium cost (at least 28p per minute). We have not changed before now to a Local Rate number because of the higher cost to us and inflexibility of redirection, compared with the 07071 “follow me” BT Flexinumber. However, we have now found a provider who offers a very low cost with good features. Calls are charged at Local Rate for anyone calling from the Bristol area and the number is included in most call packages offering “free” inclusive minutes on landlines or mobiles. We have not gone for an 084 or 03 number because of public uncertainty over the call cost.

Another reason for change is a feature of the Consumer Rights Directive which came into law on 13 June 2014, whereby businesses which offer ‘post contract’ customer enquiry or complaints facilities must stop using premium numbers and migrate to 01, 02, 03 or free numbers. General business doesn’t have to comply yet, but the Ofcom Guide says if a higher-cost number is used, companies have to show why the extra costs are levied and how the costs are broken down. So, it’s a good time to change.

Back in 1997, records show the Group physically handed out 395 leaflets, and mailed-out a further 874 enquiry packages mainly in response to enquiries by phone. Nowadays people browse our website – but fewer go further and actually get in contact. Records for 2013 show: ► 39 direct email enquiries, mainly via our website ► 56 direct phone calls to us via our 07071 or personal numbers ► 26 enquirers referred to us by IAM Chiswick after enrolling.

So, although phone enquiries have reduced, it is a universal and major medium, and we must make it easy, and must capture every enquiry call.

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Recent IAM Test Successes by Clare Reeves

Congratulations to the following Bristol Group Skill for Life participants who have recently passed the IAM Advanced Driving Test.

ASSOCIATE OBSERVER THOMAS ARCHER BOB HAWKSLEY HARRY CALDER ROGER STIMPSON / MARLENE BAKER SANDRA HARRIS BOB HAWKSLEY CHLOE MESSENGER BRIAN HARTLEY / NICK PERRY MATT NEALE MIKE HALL / TONY GILBERT

You will all be Upgraded to Group Full Member until the end of 2014.

We hope that in due course each of you will continue as both an IAM Member and a Bristol Group Member and support our efforts to help other people in the Bristol area to become better drivers.

Above: Brenda Smyth (centre) and Graham Hooper step up to the podium to accept their Certificates from Group Vice-Chairman Marlene Baker at a recent Group Club/Social Meeting. Phillip Morgan left before the photo was taken.

Graham joked, “It was a terrible time preparing for the Test. I realised how bad I was because my Observers gave up. But I’m a different driver now.” Phil Morgan said, “The Advanced Driving course does an amazing job changing attitudes. I realised soon after I started that I had a lot more to do. There’s a lot of enjoyment to be gained from good driving.”

As at 23 August, 22 Associates are enrolled for the October course.

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ADVANCED DRIVING REFRESHER COURSE

We run the Refresher course for existing Bristol Group Members, who passed the Advanced Driving Test some years ago. It provides an opportunity for you to ‘refresh’ your Advanced Driving skills to a current level where you could easily pass the IAM Test again.

You share the three classroom seminars of an Associate course, (see the dates on page 39). Your allocated Observer will give you six practical driving guidance sessions, individually tailored to your requirements. There’s no Test, but a Completion Certificate is given. Cost: £39.

For further information please contact Mark Gollop: [email protected] 01454 773234

Group Membership Stats 23 Aug 2014 by the Editor

● Group Full Members 276 ● Group Full Members (but underpaid so far) 18 ● Group Friends (not able to take the Test) 1 ● Group Donators (supporters, ex-IAM Members) 4 ● Newly-Upgraded Associates (year to date) 26 ● Associates enrolled and under guidance 62 Grand Total 387NEW MEMBER We welcome Mac McGarry to the Group. He has joined us from another Group, and is a National Observer.

DEDICATED LONG-TERM MEMBERS - THANK-YOU Since January, we have received letters from 6 Powers of Attorney, paying subs on behalf of long-term Members who are no longer capable of dealing with their own affairs, but who nevertheless wish to continue supporting the Group. Thank-you to all, including the latest one, Greta.

STANDING ORDER PAYERS STILL NOT UPDATED TO NEW RATE Even at this late stage in the year we have 18 Members who have only paid at the 2013 rate and not yet paid the full 2014 subscription amount. Most appear to be only contactable via the post. We are advising them – as politely as we can – that if that situation remains at the January 2015 renewal we will move them from the Membership list into the ‘Lapsed’ list and will treat any payments from them as donations to the Group.

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Letters to the Editor Star Letter from Phil Baber IAM STANDARDS and WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS Martin, Very interesting reading in the JULY edition of the LINK of all the changes that are proposed for the future in the IAM, of which I have been a member for 39 years. Not sure if I am up to it!

My ‘concerns’ (if that is what they are) will not influence my future membership, resigning or remaining a Member, because I feel the proposed changes will not impact on me directly as an exiting Member.

AGE IS MY CONCERN - 68 years old – and that will have some bearing on my continued membership, although I don’t consider myself as “past it” or “unsafe”. I know I get tired quicker when driving longer distances, especially on the Motorcycle, and overcrowded roads most times are a problem, along with bad-mannered fellow drivers. I have been driving from age 16 and until quite recently held an ‘all groups’ driving licence, driving coaches, buses and, more recently, articulated lorries.

At the last Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists meeting, we were talking amongst ourselves about the plans for the IAM and there was mention of the greater number of Full Time Paid people employed now at Chiswick.

The changes probably will not affect the rank-and-file Member, but I see there will be improvements/changes for would-be and existing Observers. I hope enough time will be allowed for re-training and evaluation.

I see these changes as making the IAM more professional in appearance to the public and others. If we are to deliver quality expert tuition, then our Observers will need to be good also. They are good already, to my knowledge - but maybe if we want to be the best out there, and to be market-leaders in training, then we need to be, and to look, better.

I have often wondered how the driving public and others perceive us (the IAM) ? Do people know and care about what we try to do? And how many people know what the IAM is all about? We have been losing members year-on-year for various reasons. If we are to become more “professional” why don’t we advertise our presence in the wider world more, by advertisement on television, in the cinema even? We already do it at the local level in our club magazines like the LINK and Chain Link.

We would require the infrastructure to be in place to train greater numbers, and of course there would be a cost implication in making our presence more widely known. Generally we are all part-time unpaid people who care about driving as safely as we can - and want to pass-on advanced driving skills to others willing to learn.

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How big and better are we wanting to be, considering we hold a charity status? Is it considered by anyone that paid driver trainers will eventually replace our volunteer Observers?

Kind regards, PHIL BABER

The Editor replies: Note: This is the view of the Editor. Phil, you seem pretty balanced in your views. The IAM has been around a long time, so a lot of people have heard of the name, but I guess detailed knowledge of what we do is low. Less than 0.3% of UK drivers/riders are IAM Members. That is an incredibly low number, yet we struggle to gain Associates or to retain Members, particularly those who have recently passed the IAM Test – and that is where future Observers and Committee Members come from. We must halt the decline. Consideration is being given to fewer but bigger, merged, Groups because of the decline.

Yes, it is often said that the IAM has too many paid staff. One can only say that there does appear to be a lot, but one would hope that their efforts are ‘necessarily applied’ to the task of recruiting more Associates. However, keen ‘advanced driving activists’ like us have little choice other than to align with either the IAM or RoSPA. There are independent advanced clubs, such as Avon Advanced Motorcyclists www.aamc.co.uk but they do not benefit from the publicity, service support and image that the two major players provide, and remember that ‘independent trainees’ have to eventually join RoSPA or the IAM to take an Advanced Test.

The Bristol IAM Car Club is long-established and large, and, dare I say it, one of the best in the country for understanding and application of the objectives, particular with regard to Observing and guiding Associates to a good Test pass standard. Most Groups are smaller and struggling, which is why the IAM has trialled and now employed paid Regional Admin Managers and Quality Managers to strive for consistent, good standards. Time will tell how the new mix of Paid Managers and Volunteer Activists works out.

The standard of Bristol Observers will not necessarily improve – in Bristol they are excellent already and the new IMI requirements are just box-ticking to assess standards in more detail to prove compliance, in the style of NVQ Vocational, Procedural training courses. Likewise the standard of the IAM Test will not increase above the best there is already.

We have already met Steve George, our new Regional Quality Manager. His boss, Mark Lewis, the IAM’s Director of Standards, is to speak at our November Group Meeting. Why not come along and hear what he has to say? I am sure it will be most interesting and enlightening. PAUL

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More Letters to the Editor THE LINK - WELL DONE Paul - I currently prefer reading the hard copy of the LINK, rather than online. I think that you do a great job of putting it all together.

I understand that putting the LINK together is a big effort – and added to that, the cost of the postage makes it more of an expense. I expect that at some point you will have to put it online only - when that happens then please add my details to the notification list. Keep up the good work. ANDREW COLTART by email on 20/07/2014 20:56

The Editor replies: Thanks Andrew for the positive comments. As the saying goes, "We will just have to wait and see what happens", because we are approaching a period of great change. PAUL

GRASS CUTTING #1 Paul – Reference the bit "How long does the grass grow" relating to the Avon Ring Road and the Keynsham by-pass. Having just gone on the ring road, I think the central reserve looks a mess with long dry grass. However, I do accept it’s down to opinion. What I will take issue with, is not keeping junctions clear - cutting down vision cannot be safe. IAM driving is all about advanced observation, with smooth continuous driving. Leaving the grass long at junctions as you say means you have to slow down, and even stop, to check the road is clear. ANDREW (NICHOLLS) The Editor replies: “Drive at a speed such that you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear”. Speeds at many roundabouts are too high, causing difficulty for traffic from side-arms trying to enter the roundabout, and contributing to collisions. Many roundabouts have intentionally raised centres and/or thick bushes to cut down visibility, and some approach roads have centre fence-barriers likewise. Long grass acts like these measures, and should slow traffic similarly. PAUL

GRASS CUTTING #2 Paul - Long grass is dangerous and makes roads and villages look untidy. I nearly knocked down a child near my home. As I drove round the corner he was hidden by the long grass. I also nearly knocked down a pedestrian when riding my bicycle as the cycleway was not wide enough with grass encroaching from the sides and he didn’t step aside for me. DEREK The Editor replies: Derek, As discussed, you would see things differently if you became an Advanced Driver: “Drive at a speed such that you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear”. Highway Code Rule 62 on shared cycle paths. “Cyclists – take care when passing pedestrians - always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary.” PAUL

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GRASS CUTTING #3 Paul - Now that the grass has been strimmed to within a millimetre of its life in this hot dry weather, I hope the moaners are enjoying looking at the brown verges and dry cut grass untidily strewn about. No longer can I enjoy the sight of swathes of different grasses, a home for wildlife and of course the endangered bees. What a sad sight now. VERA The Editor comments: Now we have had some rain, some green-ness has returned to the roadside. NEW ENTHUSIASM FOUND FOR THE IAM TEST I embarked on Skill for Life as a learning experience, and as a course to occupy me over the Winter months. At first I found it daunting – but I stuck to the weekly commitment and enjoyed learning. It was quite novel, rather than going to the same college building for evening class each week.

I forgot completely about the Test – the final exam – as an irrelevance. But as time went on and I got closer to the end of my year (course), I realised it was really an essential part of the learning experience, and that I had already paid for it, even though I didn’t need the qualification, and I definitely didn’t want to go on and do anything else - as has been suggested by one of the lecturers at the start of the course.

And so it turned out to be. The Examiner was a nice man, although he had the dreaded, intimidating, clipboard and pen to note down my faults. Once we got started though, it was really like another Observed Drive, and although I was a bit nervous, I passed! “JACKIE” (I’m still a bit nervous - I’ve asked for my name to be changed.) WHY DO YOU NEVER PRINT THE IAM’S NEWS RELEASES? (Expressed to the Editor verbally at a Group Meeting) The Editor replies: The IAM produces a series of News Releases – some road safety related, and some on general motoring topics. These may be of interest to Members – or completely new to those Members who do not keep-up with the news through other channels - but their main purpose is so that Groups can use them as the basis for sending News Releases to local outlets to publicise the Group and the IAM. Yes, they are a way of filling-up a newsletter if there is no other materiel, but it’s just a waste of space, time and a duplication. Bristol Group Members can sign-up to our email distribution list, and webmaster Geoff will send these Releases out to that list as soon as they are received. PAUL

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WHY DOES THE IAM NO LONGER ATTEND PORTISHEAD SHOW? Member Ken Rossiter and past members Jo, Jan, and Antje all asked the Editor verbally at this year’s show, “Why doesn’t Bristol Group have a stand here any more?” Even the Show Organiser asked, “Why don't you have a stand here now – I remember your Group - it was a popular stand." Portishead has grown massively in population - it's a big town, "at the end of the longest cul-de-sac in the UK". The show is a 2-day community event, with stands outside costing from £45, inside from £60.

The Editor replies: No written reply is available from Committee - but discussion was of the opinion that publicity stands at shows have very little immediate effectiveness (from my memory, over the last 20 years maybe one existing IAM Member, and five new Associates, have joined as a direct result of a show stand). In theory, Shows are “meeting the local people”, and it used to be said you had to approach people 3 times over a period of 7 years. But nowadays, most companies judge effectiveness of publicity over one year only. Another factor is that the Group has few Field Publicity Volunteers - especially for a 2-day event. Lastly, we now have few Members - and no Observers - in the Portishead area. PAUL WHY WAS THE IAM A ‘NO SHOW’ AT THE SOUTH GLOS SHOW ?

Paul, I attended THIS BIG SHOW, on 2/3 August at Westerleigh. I was surprised that the Bristol IAM Group did not have a stand at this new major local community advertising opportunity, which was packed with people – I

read that 20,000 local people attended, and that there were 250 trade and community stands. There were certainly many and varied arena events, stage displays, demonstrations, etc. The ‘Lifestyle and Leisure’ theme I would, have thought, be an ideal platform for the IAM. MIKE

The Editor replies: Adding to the above response, we were unsure that appearing at the show would be effective, either recruitment-wise or cost-wise. Stand space was expensive, and the show was initially advertised as being “centred on bicycling and walking”, so we did not know that a motoring organisation would be appropriate. Indeed, reports say that over 1,000 bicycles were left in the bicycle-shed at one time.

Member Dave Pengelly on the North Avon Driving Instructor’s Association (NADIA) stand had a stock of Skill for Life leaflets available, for distribution on our behalf.

Current Group field publicity effort is on FREE DriveCheck Assessment days. The last one, in June, attracted 5 new Associates. PAUL

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Group News by the Editor TAKE THE LINK ELECTRONICALLY Committee would like more people to read the LINK on our website. We have a standard PDF version there, and also an ISSUU ‘flip-book’ version.

Currently 10 people forego their hard copy LINK in favour of looking at it on an electronic screen. Committee has decided that all new Associates are to be encouraged to view the LINK online, to increase that number.

YOUNG DRIVER REFUNDS – AVAILABLE, and NOT AVAILABLE We still have plenty of funding, courtesy of SGC, to offer those Young Drivers who live, work, or go to college in South Gloucestershire a refund of their Skill for Life fee if they pass the IAM Driving Test within one year of starting guidance and before reaching the age of 25. We have ten such Young Drivers at the moment progressing toward their IAM Test. We also have one Young Driver working towards his Test (and a refund) as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, with funding for one more.

Unfortunately we cannot offer this valuable incentive, with the associated spreading of the safe driving message, to youngsters in the Bristol City Council area (or other Local Authority areas), because the funding from Bristol City Council will run out when the final Bristol-resident Young Driver on the incentive passes (hopefully) his IAM Test soon.

ASSOCIATE GUIDANCE DURATIONS – “UP TO” 12 MONTHS The new computer system at IAM Chiswick has highlighted an issue whereby Associates are sometimes not having a full 12 months guidance under Skill for Life. This is because Associates buy the course, together with annual membership, from IAM Chiswick and some of them delay before contacting us. This is compounded because Bristol is one of the minority of Groups which offer a professional, structured course, with 4 discrete start dates each year. Committee is discussing various options to ensure full value is given. This is one of the many issues discussed by Committee, unbeknown to Members at large. Leading into the next item:

NEW – FREE PUBLIC ACCESS TO ALL WEBSITE CONTENT Webmaster Geoff has removed the need for a log-in and sign-in to view certain content on the Group website, www.iam-bristol.org.uk . All the previous ‘hidden’ items, such as Committee Minutes, are now in the public domain for all to see. So go there and see what Committee discusses!

SECRETARY MARTIN ON BCFM COMMUNITY RADIO Secretary Martin appears on a ‘random regular’ Saturday a.m. motoring spot on BCFM Radio. We are hoping to get on Bradley Stoke Radio too.

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FREE DRIVECHECK ASSESSMENT DAY – 7th September Due to a change of date and venue, this event will have just taken place by the time you read this.

The last Assessment Day at BAWA on June 8th was a real success, but after a suggestion by SGC Road Safety Officer Alan Hale that Bristol Advanced Motorists should go into the local communities to encourage drivers to be more aware of the need for good driving standards, rather than asking drivers to always come to us at BAWA, the latest session was re-arranged to take place at Yate Fire Station on Sunday 7th September between 10am and 2pm.

The objective is to increase awareness of driving standards and the benefits of drivers signing up for Skill for Life.

,

ide

in the next LINK.

EW PUBLICITY HARDWARE ill Sails (as left)

4

etting an easy-erect

The FREE DriveCheck Day gives drivers the opportunity to compare their driving today with when they passed the basic Driving Test and to pick up some tips from the IAM’s top Observers. They will hopefully also realise that driving with Bristol Advanced Motorists can be enjoyable and fun.

As we closed for press only 3 people had pre-booked -but there was plenty of time for more to contact usand also we planned to have a banner and sails outsduring the week before, and on the actual day.

More NThe Group has purchased two Quwhich are freestanding and 8 feet (2.5m) tall, and also a Fence Banner (as below) which is 12 feet by (about 3.6 metres by 1.2).

In due course we are also gGazebo, probably to replace the MDU trailer.

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BLOODHOUND VISIT The visit was advertised in the last LINK but only a handful of Group members expressed an interest. So we joined forces with the Pegasus Motor Club, who had a visit arranged for the 8th September. At the time of writing there are 43 signed up towards the maximum party-size of 50.

AN EVENT THAT NEVER WAS – NEW POLICE CUSTODY CENTRE

ROUP MANOEUVRING EVENTS and TREASURE HUNTS

stage Treasure Hunts on public roads. More details as things develop.

Unfortunately this never took place. Tours were available pre-opening at both Patchway and Keynsham custody centres in our area – but the Group missed-out because no-one volunteered to do the organising.

OBSERVER QUEST We have a shortage of Observers in the south-west of our area. We are encouraging Members, and newly-successful Associates, in that area to become involved. But in the meantime we are arranging for all IAM national Members in those Postcodes to be sent a letter by IAM Chiswick encouraging them to become involved with the Group. (For every five IAM Members living in a Postcode area, only one belongs to a local IAM Group.) MONTHLY MEETINGS The relatively low attendance over the Summer months this year has prompted some Members to suggest we cease having Group Meetings in July and August. We have some excellent speakers, so it is the Members’ loss if they choose not to attend. On a practical level, if a club ceases meetings over the Summer, it is more difficult to attract attendees back in September after the break – so we will continue with Monthly Meetings. In 2015 we will however consider holding during the Summer holiday period a practical, free, “Members’ DriveCheck” meeting. LOCAL OBSERVER SCHEME re-jigged and re-launched No sooner had the scheme been paused because it was too complex and onerous, than there was a quick re-jig and on July 15th it was re-launched for immediate roll-out. See the description elsewhere in this LINK.

GMuch discussion has been going-on at Committee to find a way to re-start Manoeuvring Events and Treasure Hunts in the Group. These activities were halted because of Insurance and Legal issues. The Group is in the process of joining the Motor Sports Association (MSA), which should at least enable Manoeuvring Events to re-start, but approval has been delayed because the MSA is preoccupied with repercussions of the recent Scottish Rally fatalities, which may in turn make it even more difficult to

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 15

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T SHE INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED MOTORIST GROUP BRIEFING

INSIGHby the Editor

SEARCH OUT THE NEWS SOURCES

IAM Chiswick News - that affects the Group

£149

TJournal, Advanced Driving, ugh

o atch everyt

, Facebook, Twitter, and

rent emails to different sets of

c

t out that some new benefits are available to and in Advanced

y

t u (even if it’s free!)

nt to use it.

er local Group is actively discussing

As well as the there are now many other channels throwhich IAM news is published, so you need ttrawl all of them regularly to make sure you c hing. Look atINSIGHT, the IAM website, the NRG Minutesvisit the IAM Forum. And sign-up for IAM Chiswick e-newsletters.

NEW COMMITTEE NOTIFICATIONS ommittee used to get occasional further news e-updates. However, now C

this has evolved into a series of six diffepeople. This seems an unnecessary complication and fragmentation, when the Group has a Secretary, the point of contact, who can announce news atcommittee or otherwise disseminate it. However, not all IAM Groups are as efficient as Bristol Group, and the new method at least gets the news (or most of it) to the people who need to know.

SKILL FOR LIFE FEE TO RISE ON OCTOBER 1ST romote the IAM and Skill for Life to your family, P

friends and work colleagues. BUY NOW TO BEAT THE ed

INCREASE ! in September. Price rises for other IAM “Products” to be announ

NEW MEMBER OFFERS – and FREE RAC MEMBERSHIP FOR ASSOCIATES

IAM Chiswick asks us to poinMembers. You will get details with your national renewal, Driving, but you can visit the IAM website www.iam.org to see them now.

By no means all Members make use of them – but they may be useful to you. IAM Membership Development Manager Paul Woozley tells me that only around 15% of new Associates take-up the FREE RAC offer. Survefeedback brought the responses for non-take-up: - I already have cover - I may use it, when my current cover runs-ou- I don’t want cover thank yo- I am covered by my company

So, as with all benefits and offers, it’s there, if you wa

GROUP CLOSURES and MERGERS ne of the smaller Groups in our locality is to close soon because it can noO

longer raise a full Committee. Anoth

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de-affiliating from the IAM and becoming an independent club. Events like these are why the IAM has been considering a plan for larger Groupswith therefore fewer Committees – but retaining local coverage of Observers by having them organised in ‘local pods’. First manifestation of this was the recent formation of the Central Southern Group whichcovers a large area in the Sussex locality. We will see further movement towards this in the next few years. Some Groups elsewhere have recmerged, bringing the total number of IAM Groups down to near 200.

LOCAL GROUP SCORECARD ecently, the IAM has been compiling statistics on Groups from its new

ently

them to Groups, in the management format

d document the

Rcomputer system and providingknown as Scorecards. Data relates to Observer numbers, Associate allocation and enrolment, time taken to Test, Test results, etc. You will be pleased to learn that Bristol Group is performing very well indeed.

REVIEWING AND DEFINING IAM STANDARDS ark Lewis, the IAM’s new Director of Standards, has announced that M

the IAM is commencing a process to refine, map anstandards for the IAM Advanced Car and Motorcycle Tests. Mark says that the changes have become essential “to ensure that the Advanced Test is consistent across the country, and that it remains fit for modern-day drivers using modern vehicles on modern roads. It is alabout th custom r experience, and keeping-up with current thinkembracing all aspects of modern vehicle technology an road design.”

“selecte set” of Observers and Examiners has already given input, and ore Members will be asked their view in the next two m nths.

REGIONAL OBSERVER TRAINING TEAMS to be re-jigged he former Regional Training Teams (RTTs) were teams of special

l e e ing,

dA dm s o

ly-ve Regions

ing a

14.

new IAM guide to Social Media best practice is now available for , simple explanation on how

Tselected Observers who visited various Groups in their respectito train other Observers. Their activities have been put on hold pendreview, which has now been carried out with Group and former RTT representatives. A new structure for this type of activity, with a clearer remit and operational process, will be announced around the end of 20 SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDE FOR IAM GROUPS AGroup Officials to refer to. It provides a clearto get the best from social media for the Group. IAM Chiswick is increasing its output on Social Media to attract more of the public, and it expects Groups to do likewise.

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 17

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Future Monthly Club Meeting Speakers by Editor

ed- on Fire and Rescue; entation on

Several ideas are being followed-up for 2015. Confirmed are: January Paul Ryman-Tubb - Motor Insurers' Bureau February Sandra Tweddle - Diabetes Support March Martin Baker - Great Western Society May Tim Hills - Uganda project http://www.fingerprintsinuganda.org/

We also have lin up a Driver Trainer from AvUWE Racing car; IAM Drive and Survive; and the TA’s presDrink-Driving. Dates not yet confirmed.

The Group is still on the lookout for fresh leads and ideas – so get in ith Clare at [email protected] w

ARE YOU THE NEW MONTHLY MEETING SPEAKER ORGANISER ? NTERESTED ? Speak to the Chairman or any Committee MemberI .

 

e Cross Hands, Old Sodbury, apparently of Associates. No report or

by a number of Members also

R by Editor/Geoff Driving Guidance.

ing.

Three in a Car by the Editor The August 10 event at thattracted half a dozen Members and a couplephotos have been passed to the Editor.

To an onlooker it seemed a much bigger event, with many cars in the car park, because the numbers were swelledusing the date and venue as a gathering for “mentoring” in their personal quests to sit and pass their IAM Masters Test.

Invitation to THREE-IN-A-CABristol Group is an organisation that provides Advanced Mainly to new Associates. But . . . . MEMBERS, this is YOUR opportunityto get a few tips from the Group’s Observers, and other Members, to assist you in maintaining your high driving standards. You’ll be welcome – they’re free, and an ideal way of 'keeping in touch' with Advanced Driv

Only two dates remain this year before the Winter break - Attend on September 13th and put the other date in your Diary:

ERVICES AY

ALL Bristol Group Members should partake.

Saturday 13 Sept 10.00am GORDANO M5 S Sunday 19 October 10.00am KEYNSHAM, ASHTON W Three-in-a-Car is really an essential activity in which

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FAD COURSE 2015 – AN APPEAL FOR CANDIDATES Mark Gollop

nd 15 Qualified. T

ly

course, which ads on to the Observer course. Candidates come from existing

g

accepted nto FAD without the normal requirement of the pre-FAD driving

ty.

ssociates. Let’s aim for at least 10 on the 2015 course.

by the Editor –

Bristol Group currently has 25 Observers, being 10 National / Senior,

based on materiel from

a wo people are well on their way to completing their FAD and hopefully will go on to qualify as Local Observers. But that is not enough Observers for the Group, and they are not evendistributed across our geographical area.

The Group runs an annual Further Advanced DrivingleMembers, but mainly from Associates who pass the Advanced DrivinTest with a standard and enthusiasm above the norm.

Anyone gaining a F1RST distinction will automatically beoassessment to ascertain their driving standard and overall suitabili

So, Members - volunteer ! – and Observers, nominate suitable A

AM Advanced Driving Test, fluent

Roadcraft (the Police river’s handbook), Mind Driving (by Stephen Haley) and the

riving

d

requirement to progress to the Group’s FREE bserver Course, which follows shortly afterwards.

ith classrooms sessions on Wednesdays 6 , 13 , 20 h and 27th May,

The FAD course combines theory and practical driving skills, toachieve a standard well above the I in System and Commentary. FAD is open to any Member of the Bristol Group, subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-course driving assessment, and the cost is £39.

The FAD Course involves theory, based on DHighway Code, and practical driving sessions with our experiencedNational Observers. There is a written test, and a practical dtest. The course should take no longer than four months in total, anhas a fixed end date.

Completion of FAD is aO

If you would like to be considered for the 2015 FAD Course, to start th th tw

then please contact Mark Gollop, Training Administrator, at [email protected] or phone 01454 773234

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 19

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SEPTEMBER SPEAKER by the Editor/Clare ReDr Sarah Jones, Lecturer & Consultant at Cardiff University

eves in

has duated Driver Licensing (GDL) which

to idence of GDL being effective at

ed id-

Environmental Health Protection.

You may ask, “What has that got to do with driving?” Well, Sarahspent the last 5 years studying Grais a hot current topic with the DfT and DSA. It's the idea that when adriver passes the basic L-test, he is granted only an ‘intermediate’ driving licence with various graduated restrictions for a period, before being allowed a full unrestricted licence.

GDL is already used in many countries – and a form of it already appliesMotorcycles in the UK. There is evreducing collisions and injuries – and there is a consequential knock-on benefit to public health benefits. Subject to a strict, well-implementand controlled GDL system existing, it is estimated it could result in a mrange projection of saving 4,500 casualties and £200 million.

HANGED NOVEMBER SPEAKER by the Editor

Mark Lewis IAM Director of Standards. o

is

C, the new

This is a great opportunity for the Bristol Group tinfluence Mark in his new role and he is genuinely keen to listen. Mark was a former Head of the Metropolitan. Police Driving School at Hendon, anda very keen driver and rider.

The previously-listed Territorial Army talk will be re-scheduled.

BAWA Location and Travel Directions

istol Group Meetings

Br holds at the BAWA Club, in Filton, in the north of the city.

The BAWA Club is the social facility of British Aerospace. Modern rooms andample secure car parking space.

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CALENDAR for Bristol Advanced Motorists Next Club/Social Meeting Topic – September 23

Dr. Sarah Jones – Graduated Licensing

rd

BAWA Pavilion Room 7:30pm for 7:45 start

SEPTEMBER Three in a Car driving update session (see pagSat 13 e 18)

Gordano M5 Services, NOTE VENUE 10:00am start

in .

at Tue 16 Inter-Group Quiz at Weston Group (Kewstoke, 7:30 pm) We have no team! Volunteers contact Secretary Mart

Monthly Meeting 7:30 Tue 23 BAWA Pavilion pm for 7:45 start Dr. Sarah Jones – Environmental Health Protection Sat 27 Regional Liaison Forum meeting at Exeter

TOB ROC E Sa 11 Copy Deadline for LINK November ( NOTE EARLIER t Sat/ un 11/12

DATE ) S NOT an IAM event: But Something Different to see

PEDAL CAR 24 hour race, Millennium Square. see www.bristol24race.co.uk STOP PRESS: CANCELLED Tue 14 Exec Committee Meeting - second Tuesday of each month. If you wish to raise an issue, contact the Group Chairman Wed 15 Observers’ Meeting at BAWA, 7:30pm All Observers and trainees have received an rsvp invitation.

ee page 18) Sun 19 Three in a Car driving update session (s at Keynsham Ashton Way, 10:00am start W October Advanced Driving Course - Seminar One ed 22 BAWA 7:30pm. Pre-booking required – see page 40 M 27 Newsletter Collation at BAWA 4:30 until 7on :00 ap *** NOTE EARLIER DATE *** – contact Andrew N

prox holls

We 29 m

icMonthly Meeting 7:30 Tue 28 BAWA Pavilion pm for 7:45 start

Graham Eason, MD of Great Escape Classic Car Hire Parking space reserved for a Ford KA, but presumably he will be talking about something more exotic. d Advanced Driving Course - Seminar Two. BAWA 7:30pNOVEMBER Tue 25 Monthly Meeting BAWA Pavilion 7:30pm for 7:45 start Speaker Mark Lewis, the new IAM Director of Standards. DECEMBER W 03 Advanced Driving Course - seminar three – Meet an Examiner

AWA 7:30pm ALL CURRENT ASSOCIATES WELCOME ed

B

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 21

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Volunteers Needed Now by the Editor The Group has about 300 Full Members. Thank-you all of you for supporting us through membership subscriptions – but it would be very

riving

able

d Driver Training”. But behind the b,

and

op Window of Driving Products)

gratifying if more were active in some form – either by attending DEvents, attending Monthly Meetings, or helping the Committee.

Currently the Group is in particular need of both a Speaker Organiser anda Social Organiser. The former’s task is to find and arrange suitspeakers for the Monthly Meetings, and the latter’s is to organise suitable Social Events, Group Visits, etc.

One Member recently turned down such positions, believing the Group should be “all about Associates andriver-guidance activity, the Group is essentially a Volunteer Social Cluwhich needs its social membership in order to sustain Group numbersto support Driving Activities financially.

The programme of Social Meetings and Social Activities is a local Group’s Shop Window (as opposed to the IAM’s Shand is the best form of promotion to retain existing Members and attract new members. So, to help the Group, get volunteering!

Contact the Chairman or any Committee Member if you would like to help the Group in any way.

se our Charity Cashback Scheme by the Editor

U

WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE Shop via EasyFundraising and raise a percentage cashback reward for the Group at no extra cost to you – our members have raised over £600 – although only 32 are registered and only 12 use the prompting Toolbar.

HEN MAKING INTERNET SEARCHES ith iambristol.easysearch.org.uk

will advise you. See Contact Us – back page.

WEach time you search the web wand click on one resulting option you will raise half a penny. It soon adds up - members have raised nearly £200 with EasySearch.

UNSURE WHAT TO DO ? The Group’s Geoff Bevan or Martin Evans

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Freewheelers Emergency Volunteer Service MONTHLY MEETING JULY

by the Editor

The idea started in 1977, when a relative of

above: Freewheeler Larry Cauchi, who gave the talk

a k

n this area in 1990, as a

operates atset, Bath, South Gloucestershire

ire. It is one of several independent organisations kes association. In 2008

ervice.

et of one

s

.

Although the NHS saves the cost ofunded entirely by public donation a

Freewheelers EVS is run entirely bw e, aR 00 members work 3 s7pm to 7am, weekend 7pm Friday tttle as expenses – even using their own riding gear (except a high-vis

vest) and phones. Standby Riders sometimes even use their own bikes.

patient took some urgent blood on his motorbi e. Freewheelers started iregistered charity out-of-hours voluntary emergency transport service which

sites in Bristol, Somer no charge to NHS. It

covers 50 NHSnd West Wiltsha

covering much of the UK as part of the BloodbiFreewheelers won a Queens Award for Voluntary S

They transport blood, pathology specimens, patient notes, X-rays, breast milk, drugs, surgical tools and other various medical supplies. In 2012 they made 3,648 deliveries, riding more than 120,000 miles.

Freewheelers EVS operates a flemotorcycles, 3 in operation at any time. They used to be pre-owned Police bikes, but in 2010 a new bike wabought for the first time. Each is equipped with high-vis markings with lue lights and sirens. Riders keep to b

the speed limit, having no formal training for blues and twos, which are only used to ease progress throughtraffic jams. The bikes are maintained by the Avonmouth Police workshops

f taxis or couriers, Freewheelers is nd sponsorship

y volunteers, both ‘Controllers’, who nd Trackers fitted to the bikes, and hifts every 3 months. A night shift is o 7am Monday. The Riders get very

ork from home using the phoniders. The 1

li

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 23

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All their riders, of whom about 15 belong to Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists IAM Group, hold an advanced motorcycling qualification,

f

s’, and surprisingly it is not

ome costs Larry he bikes.

above: Freewheeler Steve Smith (white shirt, third from left) chats about this bike, a BMW 1200RT, to Members gathered in the BAWA car park.

such as the IAM Test, and re-qualify every 3 years. There is a 6-month induction, including NHS and UN procedures.

As well as the charity volunteer aspect, members do it because: ● Biking is fun. ● It puts something back into the community. ● It also promotes a positive profile of motorcycling.

They had publicity a couple of years ago when Freewheelers was featureon the TV progamme Emergency Bikers, featuring rider Mel Rowbottom oBristol Advanced Motorcyclists. In spite of such coverage, only around 0% of the population has heard of ‘Blood Bike

d

1universally known-of by NHS staff who could be potential users.

Freewheelers needs publicity, money and volunteers. Squoted were horrendous, especially ‘any rider’ Insurance for t

More info at www.freewheelers.org.uk

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Has Advanced Driving Changed? by Editor Paul

At last renewal (January), around half a dozen of the Group’s longer-term Members resigned, giving as a reason that the IAM “seems to be getting very serious and technical, not at all like the relaxed, friendly, social club atmosphere that existed when Examiner Paul Hodge was active in the Group.” One such resignation letter was printed in the July LINK, and since then about a dozen more long-term Members have telephoned me in agreement, or have expressed similar views when I have encountered them in the supermarket, at the village show, at the bus rally, etc.

So what has changed to give rise to this opinion? The answer is, NOTHING – at least in the concept of Advanced Driving and the requirements of the Police-trained Examiners who conduct the IAM Test. The concept and Test have remained largely unchanged since the inception of the IAM almost 60 years ago, although you are now required to drive to THE System (IPSGA) rather than just “in a systematic way”. However, what HAS changed is the way that Advanced Driving is sold by the IAM, with the social aspects that surround that, and also, as a teacher pointed-out to me, the manner of presentation of the course materiel has changed, as has the ‘status’ of people who deliver it.

ETHOD and SOCIAL ASPECTS l

n IAM Test, did

mp

ect overall. andidates will latch onto certain details – especially if it is new to them –

ithout gaining an

ils and

SALES MOne used to join a Group as an Associate, and receive guidance in a “sociagroup” atmosphere. Only when one was ready to take aone actually consider it (50% didn’t want it at all) and get in contact with the IAM in London to arrange it. If you “passed” the Test, your national Membership started from then. Nowadays, one “purchases” from IAM London the Skill for Life package, and so one becomes a national IAM

ember from the outset. The Group is now a ‘training contractor’ which rovides an Observer, so the social club aspect has been largely lost.

COURSE MATERIEL and DELIVERY I am told (by half a dozen teachers now) that it is a teaching fact that providing more detail results in less understanding of the subjCand become an instant expert on a number of details, wunderstanding of the overall subject and how the details fit together and inter-relate. A music teacher used the saying, “Those of you who thinkyou know everything are annoying those of us who do.” This is not, as would first appear, a statement by a know-all, but a statement which illustrates the phenomenon of someone picking-up a few novel detaadopting the attitude that he knows everything about the whole subject.

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 25

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In the case of the IAM, twenty years ago Bristol Associates were expected to apply themselves to learning, and complete the course in sixmonths. They had the benefit of a twice-yearly Meet an IAM Examiner

vice from their Observer.

as , Pass Your Advanced Driving Test

m

aminer

imilar changes have happened with FAD and Observer training. Mine, for

rs.

r.

atmosph at

Group is giving the best possible advice and guidance to Associates today.

meeting, supplemented by one-to-one in-car adA few bought the old 1960s-style Roadcraft book, whilst even fewer bought the IAM’s ‘paperback novel’ textbook, Advanced Motoring.

Then in 1994 came the new Roadcraft – 174 pages instead of the 77 of the 1960s version, and including more detail. I still remember sitting through two meetings at the Pritchard Room at Clifton College, new Roadcraft and yellow highlighter pen in hand as instructed. “Highlight those words, and those. “They are important, and they mean so-and-so.” An example of, more detail, less understanding. The new Roadcraft wclosely followed by the IAM’s new book– again with more detail – and issued to everyone. So one is diverted frolearning by doing to learning by reading. And incidentally, Skill for Life includes an annual IAM subs, so the time taken expanded to 12 months. Introduction of F1RST and Masters has since exposed the IAM to another teaching phenomenon - paying too much attention to grades, rather than a plain pass, detracts from guidance to the basic standard. Which all leads to the third point:

WHO DELIVERS THE MATERIEL, and WHOSE IS IT? An Associate today has the benefit of course seminars – at first deliveredby Police trainers, but now delivered by IAM Members. The modern termis Peer-assisted learning. Only half attend the valuable Meet an Exsession. Because the reference is the IAM’s own book – which is now called How To Be A Better Driver – it appears as if the content is written by the IAM – the materiel has been distanced from the real source, which is of course Roadcraft and Police Driver Training.

Sexample, around 1990, both Motorcycle (at Cheltenham) and Car, was delivered entirely, both the lectures and practical, by Police InstructoToday it is again peer-assisted, with only the actual Test for Senior Observer (now National Observer) being conducted by an IAM Examine

TO CONCLUDE Rest assured - Bristol Group is doing a very good job today, helping people to drive safely, and to a good standard. The description and

ere may seem different, but it is generally the same guidance thwas delivered in 1990. The current Training and Observer Team in the

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The situation exists however whereby provision of more detail is likepromote disjointed learning and less overall understanding – with an impression given that the materiel is all IAM-generated rather than base

ly to

d training and Roadcraft.

se a try – and

on a long-standing concept of Police

Our long-term Members – why not give the Refresher Couryou will see that you are ‘refreshed’ with guidance very similar to the advice you received from your Observer when you first considered the IAM Test 20 years ago or more.

utes

he new IMI externally-approved Local Observer status is set to replace

ered

ing was held on 30th July at BAWA.

er

idence

ld be able to

Group and the IAM’s DTE computer system, but the main bullet points are:

‘Local Observer’ requirements by the Editor, with reference to the min

Tthe former internally-awarded Qualified Observer. It had been delayed because it was judged too complicated and cumbersome, but it was altand re-launched for immediate implementation as from 15th July. To explain this apparently complicated new scheme, a Bristol Group Training Committee Meet To begin, the Ronald Reagan quote, “If you’re explainin’, you’re failin’. came to mind. In other words, if it’s so complicated it needs a meeting toexplain it, it must still be too complicated. But former Staff Examiner Andy Poulton explained it in a few minutes, and Regional Quality ManagSteve George reassured us that it is simple and straightforward, once one realises that the requirements are set-out in minute detail, as with all such NVQ-type assessments, to provide documented form-ticking evthat every aspect has been demonstrated by the candidate. Steve also assured us than any existing Bristol Qualified Observer shoure-qualify quickly and easily when re-assessment time comes up. Another reason for the detailed form-ticking is that the assessment is still done internally by Volunteers, not by IAM or Police-qualified people. There is some admin involving the

● There will be three levels of Observer: o National Observer who is also a Local Observer Assessor (LOA) o National Observer (NO) o Local Observer (LO) ● All existing Qualified Observers will need to be assessed as Local Observers when their time is due.

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 27

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● Any existing Senior Observer not re-qualifying as National Observer rver.

on can be

and IAM and Group administrative

eoff has decided we stay with our

e final itting Local qualification

ll I

er

will revert to Qualified and will need to re-qualify as Local Obse● The new Local Observer testing and re-testing specificati used as the IAM-universal Group training plan/syllabus for the processing of new Trainee Observers. ● The Group needs to nominate and register some National Observers as Local Observer Assessors (see first bullet point above). These must have passed the National Test in the last 3 years, so will require retesting more often than the standard 5 years for National. ● Groups can have as many Local Observer Assessors as is reasonably required. Chief Observer Geoff has recommended that all Nationals apply to be Local Observer Assessors. ● On assessment, Local Observer candidates must technically drive to a standard that does not exceed a total mark of 50 on the IAM Test Marking Sheet - with no individual element mark greater than 3.

(This is a lower standard than that required for National.) ● Local Observer assessments are expected to cover between two four drives, plus an ability to show knowledge. ● It’s up to individual Groups to set the re-qualifying period for Local Observers. (Chief Observer G current 3 year period.) ● It is recommended that a Group has a ‘Lead’ National having th sign-off and recommendation before subm forms to IAM Support. This will be Chief Observer Geoff.

A AM Groups will undertake this standard Local Observer assessment procedure, so that for the first time all Observers in every Group will be trained to the same curriculum, so Local Observer will be an IAM standard, and a holder may transfer to anoth Group without re-training.

Meet Steve George

Steve, the new Regional Quality Manager, Southern Region, served 31 years in the Metropolitan Police, covering drug squad, surveillance and firearms, and driver training. He is a practical man, and already has some experience of IAM activities and procedures. As well as his new role of full-time Quality Manager, he’s a current Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).

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What is a Midi-Roundabout? by Editor Paul Hunt AND HOW DO WE DEAL WITH IT?

Midi-Roundabout is the unofficial name of a common type of roundabout that has been around for 20 years or more. The topic has come up at t e Group ‘meetings’ recenthre ly, with even an ADI and some Observers not

y are

erb

This outer, red/paved, area is technically part of the roundabout’s central yclists (and bicyclists) MUST not pass de statement on mini-roundabouts,

per mini-roundabouts.

s

e .

knowing! The ‘mystery’ roundabout has just been mentioned in another local IAM Group’s newsletter too, as though it is a new phenomenon.

These roundabouts look somewhat like a mini-roundabout, but thelarge, have a ‘solid’ small centre, usually with a solid core of a low wall, flower bed, bollards or signs, and also have a large concentric area usually of red tarmac or red paving bricks, in turn edged with a very low kedge, less than 1 inch (25mm) in height, which is easy to drive over.

island and car drivers and motorcover it, similar to the Highway Coalthough large vehicles have an exception, as

above: This artic came from left, so didn’t need the over-run area. No cars should need to use it at all, whatever course they take through the roundabou

t.

This type of roundabout is typically found in Retail Parks, such as at Longwell Green (pictured above), where there is 90-degree bend and restricted land space outside Currys and B&Q (other electrical and D-I-Y storeare available). There is very heavy car traffic at the location, and occasional but frequent Buses and Articulated Lorries, which need to pass over th‘over-run area’ with their rear wheels, in order to negotiate the turn

The solid centre core ensures no-one actually cuts the roundabout, and keeps things safe for everyone.

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General Driving News Stories compiled by the EJust a few of the most interesting and relevant selected from the

ditor

178 ‘new to the file’ items arising since the July issue.

FADING ROAD MARKINGS Local Councils have a propensity for marking-out complex, non-straight, lane markings with white lines. With the shorter, darker days, and frequent wet weather, these will be more difficult to see, often so much so that drivers will find it difficult to keep in-lane if they do not know the road layout.

Some markings are so worn that they are difficult to discern even in the d

er.

avel road built across them by respected

rivate toll road

B f ground

s, newly tarmac-surfaced. The it part-way along, also tarmac-ed. ing cost £150,000, with a further . But only residents, businesses enefit. Others can divert.

company, which said he would be in the event of a collision (best to check

[See Internet pictures [Kelston Toll Rd and Daily Mail] – and video on YouTube.]

daylight – and these somewhat humorous signs are being deployed insteaof having the lines re-marked. This “permanent temporary sign” is on the A40 at Huntley, Glos, and there is another on the A36 near Warminst

KELSTON TOLL ROAD - PRIVATE and TEMPORARY

Local members will know that rainfall in February caused underground movement and subsidence which has blocked the A431 secondary route between Bristol and Bath. After protracted ‘surveys’, BANES Council announced that repairs would not be complete until Christmas.

Local businessman Mike Watts rented two adjacent fields, then in a fewweeks had a two-lane 400 yard grcontractors RM Penny. Quite a rarity in the UK, the popened 24/7 for light vehicles on 1st August, for a one-way toll of £2.

ANES council is “unhappy” about the road, citing concerns about lack olanning Permission, Safety, Insurance, a possible affect on P

stability above the landslip and hindered site access for the A431 repairs.

The road-ends use existing field gatewayroad is fairly flat, but there is a slope onFinancial success is ‘in the balance’. Build£150,000 operating cost for five monthsand destinations near the blockage will b

Your Editor checked with his Insurancefully covered on the new roadYOUR cover too). Risk is low anyway, with the (advisory) speed limit of 10mph on the gravel, 15 mph on the tarmac slope, all in first gear.

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SOLAR ROADWAYS Nowadays people are objecting to the ‘blight’ of solar electricity generating ‘farms’ in the countryside. But the growth has revived the idea of using roads as huge solar arrays - a vast existing area. Now it comewith the additional ideas of using built-in lights to replace road markingsand heaters to clear ice and snow. Even a transmission system for phoneand Internet, and even for electric power to feed electric cars.

s ,

t

s

tails.

Scientists and engineers have been researching for years new methods of keeping the roads clear in severe Winter weather. Iceland for example has heated pavements in Reykjavik – using hot water – and Canada and the US have used similar methods for bridge heating.

Prototype interlocking glass-based road panels have been produced, and some are in use as driveways in the US. Driving on glass seems strange buprototypes have met standards for grip and load bearing. Critical examination reveals many problems – where does the power come from for night use; how do you make rigid foundations; etc. But the main barrier ithe cost of production, installation, maintenance. Cost halted a 2010 US project. Now the founders are promoting the concept again, looking for crowdsource funding – many small investors putting in a little each to get abig total. Will anything happen? Look on the Internet for further de DRIVE-THRU MOTORWAY COFFEE Andrew Nicholls commented on this recently – but these outlets are spreading. You can see one locally at

. A drive-thru Starbucks right Gordano M5 Servicesat the exit. It even has a short, tortuous entry road, which is an ‘accident waiting to happen’ in itself, so you don’t even have to drive into the main Service Area. The whole idea of buying hot drinks as you drive out of the Services seems nonsensical – users obviously haven’t got enough time to stop and sit down to drink it in the Services, so they will be intending to drink it on the go. BETTER LEARN SOME WELSH Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws is sticking to a list of proposed Welsh language standards - one of which is that bilingual road signs should have the Welsh first. It’s difficult enough to spot text signs, but now youhave to find the English as well. Many North Wales Councils already do it, but as only 6% of locals in Newport know any Welsh, and almost zero visitors, some Councils see it as unwise, although inevitable.

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A BATCH OF SPEED LIMIT STORIES

LORRY ‘VEHICLE’ SPEED LIMITS TO BE INCREASED The Vehicle Limit for heavy goods vehicles of more than 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways will almost certainly increase from 40 to 50 mph in arly 2015, covering such roads outside built-up areas in England and e

Wales, unless lower general limits are posted. It is also expected that the from 50 to 60mph.

ed restriction, s in road safety

differential roads, cutting

eds into line with

traffic or the road layout. So it is not

speed limits, which also have speed limiters

re will be no adverse

gulations will NOT apply d, the Scots are nd these unofficial

nk roads. Most car drivers don’t speeds too.

h

d .

LGV Vehicle limit on dual carriageways will increase

Government says the changes will modernise an antiquatwhich does not exist in most of Europe, including leaderthe Netherlands and Norway. It will remove a 20 mph between lorry and car speed limits on single carriagewaydangerous overtaking and bringing permitted lorry speother large vehicles like coaches and caravans. Most other road users don't even know that the 40mph vehicle speed limit for lorries exists.

he current vehicle limits are broken by over 95% of LGV drivers when Tthey are not constrained by otherexpected that the law change will result in any increase in real speeds. English Local Authorities apply many local 40 mphconversely reduces the speed of all traffic. LGVswhich keep speed at 90kph (56mph) or lower. So theeffects to society, road safety or the environment.

Our Scottish colleagues are perverse – the new rein Scotland, where it is a “devolved matter”. Instearigorously enforcing the existing 40mph LGV limit, asigns are appearing alongside Scottish truknow what the signs mean, and are tending to reduce their M32 and NEWFOUNDLAND ROAD Contrary to what was said in the July LINK, the speed limit on Newfoundland Road has not been increased. Instead, the 60mph stretcof the M32 has been reduced to 40mph, for a “long-term temporary period”, because the supports of the central crash barriers have corrodeand weakened. City-bound traffic will find that a few hundred yards tothe north has been restricted to 60mph as a ‘run-in’ to the 40mph limit

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40mph NOW A ‘STANDARD’ MOTORWAY LIMIT

The Highways Agency has announced that 40mph is now accepted as “standard speed” for use on Managed Motorways to deal with congestionso it will be seen more and more frequently. This is a case of déjà vu, because when UK ‘Special Roads’ (motorways) were first designed in 194

a –

7, e predicted average speed of free-flowing traffic was – 40mph!

4/M5 SMART MOTORWAY - WORST FOR SPEEDING OFFENCES his local motorway stretch is now top in the UK for drivers caught xceeding the variable speed limits – and the national 70mph limit. The ctv average speed cameras caught, in the first fortnight of June, over

peed workshop, some got a fixed ght a

ccesses alongside, has been increased to 40. Drivers do not however .

th

MTec1,500 drivers. Most were offered a spenalty and some a court summons. A survey of offenders brouworrying response. 15% didn’t notice the gantry signs, others didn’t know what the signs meant, and others didn’t know the national speed limit.Extrapolated, the figures would be 39,000 offences per year, far worse than second-rated Manchester area with 9,326 in the whole of 2013.

BRISTOL 20mph – and an INCREASE! Bristol City’s 20mph scheme rolls on – with the latest ‘consultation meeting’ hearing that the ‘Outer North’ area will become 20mph in November and the final piece – ‘Outer South’ - becomes live next March. There seem to be more roads excepted in these outer areas. Throughout the 20mph areas are repeater signs, but most drivers do not see them. This is because, at lower speed, a driver’s forward vision scan is relatively low, and the signs are too high-up on the posts to be noticed.

Meanwhile, some limits are actually being increased. Hartcliffe Way, restricted to 30mph although a “high quality urban road” with no houses or anotice the new sign, and most keep to their “30mph” which is an actual 35

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A Scilly Facebook Moment from 08 July 2014Sgt Colin Taylor relates this story:

I had a chat with Bus Driver Fred Elms this morning. 66 years old todNot looking too shabby for an oldie. A bit of difficulty starting in themorning but still regular. Creeps around the island daily and ever- interested in taking the ladies for a ride despite the yesteryear looks. had a check for baldness and other signs of ageing. Fred admitted that there were some shortcomings and I consoled him that after the pass

ay.

I

age f time much of the wear and tear was to be expected, but as high

ectly alright to just keep going. d now and we "tutted" at the

'm told she rolled off the go today. I wonder if the

icles will ensure they are still on

acebook page

operformance was not required it was perfHe agreed that he wasn't one to race arounlesser appeal of those much younger.

So happy birthday - "Katie" - the Bus. Iproduction line on 8th July 1948, 66 years amaintenance regimes of all our current vehthe road at that age.

Sgt COLIN TAYLOR, Isles of Scilly Police, F

Ecellent use of Facebook – humour, whilst promoting the policing and road safety messages. Note: Katie is not a Bedford – she’s an Austin, with 6-cyl p d. etrol engine. A rarity. A lovely trip around the island of St. Marys. - E

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I’m Gaining on a Slower Rider . . . . by the Editor

Just before Xmas I drove up the A466 towards Monmouth, commentating: coming out of

the second or third corner ahead . . . .” But it was not a motorbike ahead, rather, a Nissan Micra. And I wasn’t even riding a motorbike, but driving a Toyota car. But that turn of phrase has stayed with me since 1963, since I watched the Grandstand Trophy Motorbike Scrambling on BBC’s Saturday sports programme, on a Murphy Astra black & white TV, with none other than Murray Walker commentating.

Then I became aware of this new book and quickly read the 308 pages cover to cover. It covers the first Scrambling coverage on TV, moving on to give a remarkably thorough account of the BBC Grandstand Trophy series. Amazingly, every meeting from each of the seven series 1963 to 1970 is covered in detail - the 250cc and 500cc Trophy races and also the TV Invitation races – with full individual race and season results.

d )

e)

Sporting Moments.

True to form, Smith grabs the lead on the last-but-one bend, only to be re-passed by Bickers on the line !

The BBC grabbed scrambling from the new Commercial stations up t’north, and the new extra series, renamed Motocross and held over the Winter, gripped the national TV audience. The weather never stopped races –

“I’m Gaining on a Slower Rider, and planning to pass him

The book is very readable, the author including social and news items of the time, so anyone who recalls viewing the series will be transported back in time. The distinct sections make the book easy to read in short bursts. There are 300 monochrome photos, even details of press photographers of the period, and interesting ancillary panels on people and bikes.

My best memories are of the all-comers TV Invitation races when 250 an500cc bikes raced together. 250cc ace Dave Bickers (Greeves 2-strokealways seemed to be in front, my hero Jeff Smith (BSA 500cc 4-strokalways seeming to battle through from the back to take victory at the lastmoment. One classic race – Kent, 27/2/65 - is available on YouTube afterbeing featured in a 1980s BBC programme, 100 Great

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which usefully provided live TV sport cofootball were called-off! Riders were ofcovered in mud, which added to the TV spraces were short, say 5 laps over 15 mibut remarkably few were injured, andThe enthusiastic commentary of Murrright: Frome, Nov 1964.

verage when horse racing and ten struggling in a quagmire and ectacle. To suit live-TV fill-ins,

nutes. Riders frequently fell-off, the mishaps were more of a comedy. ay Walker added to the excitement.

reatly in a muddy

CZ. Note: no Japanese; although their oad bikes sold strongly from 1963/4. By 1971 Britain had lost its

actually attended one until I much later went to the British 500GP at Farleigh in 1987. Because I, like many people, had quickly discovered it was easier and cheaper to sit in front of the TV rather than go out in the cold and wet. Today, staring at screens has become an ‘illness’.

Jeff Smith is leading the 250cc race on his BSA. He hasn’t been in front all the time, because he’s splattered with mud. But places changed gmotocross race. He finished the race in third place. Second came Bryan Goss (here top left). Winner was no.1 Dave Bickers, here in a lowly 9th spot. photo: An example of the excellent photos in the book, this being part of one photo credited to Gordon Francis.

1963 to 1970 saw great change in technical, financial and social areas. Firstly, the bikes ridden throughout the series were mostly . . . British. Greeves, Dot, James, Cotton, AJS, BSA, Matchless, Triumph – with the odd Swedish Husqvarna and Czechrdominance in Motocross – enter Suzuki - and the British competition departments and even manufacturers were closing.

Motoring was ‘difficult’ at the start, but by 1970 car ownership had mushroomed and cars – and roads and travel times - had improved vastly.

In 1963 TV was black and white and by no means all had ITV. Motocross coverage was a challenge for TV - primitive equipment having to cope withcold, wet weather and poor light, and scattered riders to follow. And interestingly, although most of the events were in the South, I never

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ITV got back on the bandwagon in 1968 with the World of Sport ad news, because Motocross became over-exposed. anged to Rallycross – more colourful with the new BBC1 - and seen as more upmarket – so Motocross

ss never had the same appeal.

e strong Bristol connection at the time. The idea came Brian Johnson at BBC Bristol. The pilot race meeting nham, and several of the races throughout the series est. The very last one of the 1970 series was held at

rganised by the Bristol Motorcycle Club.

first motorcycle was bought from Malcolm Davis cester. Malcolm rode a 250cc Greeves at the time –

ut was a dealer for . . . Suzuki . . . Mine was a K11 80cc sports. re the British motorcycle industry went from then on.

oung men and boys were influenced at the time by age, bought motorbikes before moving on to cars, and

oice

Motocross series – bFor 1971, the BBC chcolour broadcasts onfaded. But Rallycro

I did not realise thfrom TV Producer was held at Chippewere local to the WDodington Park, o

As for myself - my Motorcycles in GloubAnd we all know whe

But, I am sure many y TV coverthe heavy

maybe have became the older social IAM motorcyclists of today. On Air! The BBC Grandstand Trophy 1963-1970 Ian Berry Panther publishing £24.95 ISBN 978-1-909213-13-5 YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhuZk5q0qCsor put “grandstand trophy motocross 1965” into a search engine of your ch

ing ?

tea,

e.

Interested in Advanced Motorbik

Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists is a separate IAM Motorbike Group, ng Advanced Riding guidance for newcomers, at SUPER SUNDAY providi

events, and acting as a club for existing Members in Bristol.

Newcomers, just turn up at 09:00 on the FIRST SUNDAY of any month (but NOT January) at Kings Oak Academy, Brook Road, Kingswood, BRISTOL BS15 4JT.

Get a taste with a free assessed ride, and maybe sign-up for the Motorbike Skill for Life course. Grab a bacon buttie and a cup ofmeet like-minded people, and maybe attend the various presentations. Use the link on our own website to access the Motorbike Group’s websitOr go to the Motorbike Group’s website direct: www.bamo.org.ukOr phone 01275 372637 or email [email protected]

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 37

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A Blast from the Past by the Editor Twenty years ago the Bristol Group publicity stand attended many shows such as Portishead Show and Fair - revisited by the Editor in July 2014.

not the IAM stand on the

Blagdon the WI;

eft)

splays;

Editor Paul (below left) chats-up a local bird;

Bristol Group stalwart of the 1990s, Ken Rossiter (below right).

Crowds in a marquee of indoor stands (above): It’s

right – it’s theBeekeepers and

Maureen and Pam (ldisagree with the Judges’ placings and comments onthe floral di

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Know someone who could be a better driver?

Word-of-Mouth is one of the best publicity methods – so tell people about the IAM Advanced Driving Course - which can help a driver be more confident, safer - and make driving more enjoyable. For £139, the IAM Skill for Life package contains the IAM Advanced Driving Test itself, with in-car driving guidance, and three seminar sessions to prepare you. A six-month commitment is needed to complete, with ideally one drive a week. Age is no barrier. Beth (pictured) was 18, whilst Doris was 80 when she passed. South Gloucestershire resident young drivers could have the £139 refunded.

Every Skill for Life course now comes with 12 months FREE RAC roadside and recovery cover (£106 RRP) so there has never been a better time to become an

Advanced Driver!

Advanced Driving Course Dates IRED )

OCTOBER 2014 Seminars on Wednesdays Oct . JANUARY 2015 Seminars on Wednesdays. Jan 1th. APRIL 2015 Seminars on Wednesdays. Apr . JULY 2015 Seminars on Wednesdays. Jul

(PRE-BOOKING REQU

22nd, Oct 29th, Dec 03rd

21st, Jan 28th, Mar 122nd, Apr 29th, Jun 10th

15 , Jul 22 ,th nd Sep 02nd.

?

Then mention our one-off DRIVECAn Observer will give the person ontheir driving, at a convenient date/tthe main points of the driving displaye

Know someone who doesn’t want a full courseHECK ASSESSMENT – cost £35. e structured 90-minute Assessment of ime, and give a written report about

d, with advice on how to improve.

Getting Rusty Yourself?

The Refresher course is You need to be a current national IAYou share the three classroom seminarObserver will give you six driving guidaThere’s no Test, but you get a Cert

ssment or Refresher, contact: [email protected]

Try our Refresher for existing Bristol Group Members.

M and Bristol Group Member. s of an Associate course, and your nce sessions, tailored to your needs.

ificate upon completion. Cost: £39. For details of Course, Asse0117 969 1746 or

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 39

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CONTACT US: Your guide to who does what L FOR LIFE OR A REFRESHER

phone direct 0117 969 1746

TO ENQUIRE ABOUT SKILemail [email protected] NEW ADVERTISED PUBLIC ENQUIRY NUMBER: 0117 256 5555

Executive Committee, Bristol Advanced Motorists 7714 992 639 [email protected] Andy Cole 0

c

Vice Chairman Marlene Baker 01454 619289 [email protected]

Secretary Martin Evans 0117 979 8061 [email protected]

Treasurer Paul Hunt 0117 960 8494 [email protected]

Database Administrator James Rowland 07817 152 405 [email protected]

Associates Administrator Clare Reeves [email protected] 969 1746

Young Driver Advocate Barnaby Ellis [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Paul Hunt 0117 960 8494 [email protected]

Publicity Officer Geoff Bevan publicit01453 860365

[email protected]

Field Publicty Organiser Gary Nunn [email protected] 01454 851 984 07557 765 946

Membership Development Tony Gilbert 07973 730 498 [email protected]

Other Post Holders

Committee Minute Taker Clare Reeves 0117 969 1746 [email protected]

Monthly Meeting Contact Clare Reeves Ideas for speakers? Tell Clare

at [email protected] Events Organiser vacant contact the Secretary

Chief Observer and Web Administrator Geoff Bevan

01453 860365 [email protected]@iam-bristol.org.uk

Training Administrator Mark Gollop [email protected] 773234

Group Display Boards & LINK Collation organiser Andrew Nicholls dis

01749 860321 [email protected]

If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Group Secretary.

PHOTOGRAPHY NOTICE: Please note that by attending the Meetings and Driver Guidance Sessions of Bristol Advanced Motorists, you agree to your image being captured and used to promote Bristol Advanced Motorists and its activities.

This m n. If you ary.

ay include in our newsletter, on our website or for general promotiowish to withhold your permission, please contact the Group Secret

[email protected] or phone 0117 979 8061

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EXTRA - The Cover of the hard copy ver

sion

rou ed a e A5-size paper version of the LINK. It continues the tradition first

h r im- but it’s now in full colour, rather than monochrome.

tto as n feature, bland new IAM ‘letters logo’ which would become ‘lost’.

-Me who look ck of the new cover incorporates a strap-line and a brief text about the Group, with

irects s pped

Co

1

For 2014 the Bristol G p has adopt new ‘wrap-around’ cover for th

started in about 1971 of aving a cove age of Bristol’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge

The traditional IAM bu n logo is used a distinct recognitiorather than the

For the benefit of non mbers at the LINK, the ba

a QR code which

d uitably-equi Smartphones to our website.

ver photo by photographer: www.TonyGilbert.co.uk

Cover printed by:

Print & Stationery Management Co Ltd 03 Farendell Road, Emerald Park East, Emersons Green, BRISTOL BS16 7FF

0845 126 6600 [email protected] www.prism-ltd.co.uk

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EXTRA – Associates and Observers Needed

photo: IAM

educing. The number in recent years has steadily reduced from 50 to the current level of around 25,

Despite it becoming increasingly difficult to reach Members of the Public with publicity due to the ‘Market Fragmentation’ of media channels, Bristol Group has gained an increasing number of Associates so far in 2014, and this trend looks to continue at least in the short term.

left: Chief Observer Geoff (on the right) talking to that valuable commodity the Group needs - a Member of the Public who is interested in signing-up for the Skill for Life course.

In time we need to convince him to become an Observer himself, to continue the cycle. photo: Barnaby Ellis

So our appeal for Members to act as salesmen is now hanging course and asking

ontinue to promote our YOUNG DRIVER REFUND SCHEME available for outh Gloucestershire residents. But also consider becoming involved with he core activity of the Group – OBSERVING.

tained from: [email protected] 0117 256 5555 or 0117 969 1746

Information abo obtained from:

cinstead, “Can you be an Observer for the Group?”, because the number of Observers on our books is r

which means that many Observers are dealing with 3 Associates at the same time, which is rather too much of a time commitment.

So by all means continue to be a good ‘Sales Persuader’ for the Group, andcSt

Information about Skill for Life can be oba

ut becoming an Observer can be [email protected] or 01454 773234

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