The Newsletter of Chelmsford Advanced Motorists
Beware of Flashers
www.iamchelmsford.org.uk
Issue 118 June and July 2016 IAM Group 7223 Registered Charity No 1059372
Helen Jeffries receiving her Local Observer qualification certificate from our Vice Chairman Norman Smith. My thanks to Pat for encouraging me to take my Local Observers 'test '.She made the whole process quite painless and good fun; Pat does a very realistic 'scared and blasĂŠ associate' act! I can only recommend that our other Observers take the test as well, if they haven't already. We can't beat the system so we might as well join it and you do get a certificate and a personalised T-shirt!
Mark Criddle receiving his certificate from our Vice Chairman Norman Smith. There's nothing like having a serving police officer in the passenger seat holding a clipboard to make you feel like a nervous 17 year-old again, so it was with huge relief that he told me that he recommended me for membership and also for a F1RST offering the opinion that my observers had done a very good job and should be proud of themselves.
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Forthcoming Group Meetings These are usually held on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Essex Police Sports and Social Club, Which is through the Police vehicle park at the very end of St. Margarets Road, Chelmsford. Group Meetings start promptly at 8pm, so please arrive at around 7.45pm.
http://goo.gl/maps/VrEwi
CM2 6DS
http://www.essexexplorer.co.uk/cam.kmz
Associates, Full Members & Guests Welcome Date
Topic
Monday 11th July
AGM/Scott Bannister hosts driving round cones (etc!!) night in the car park
Monday 8th August
Site & Operations Manager of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome talks about wildlife. He will show slides & a film & discuss how he captures the various images.
Speaker
Russell Savory,
Make a note in your diary and please be there! Disclaimer—Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this Newsletter are those of the individual writers and they do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, nor those of the Chelmsford and District Group of Advanced Motorists. Their accuracy has not been verified. Notice—Data Protection Act: records are held of members personal details submitted on their application form. The information will be used solely for the Group’s administration purposes and will not be passed to any third party.
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Welcome to our new Associate and Full Members. We look forward to seeing and talking to them at our monthly Group nights
Sylvia Beckett
Danbury
Roger St.Pierre
Wethersfield
Joe Barnes
Gosfield
Caran Copeland Brentwood
We are a friendly bunch, so don’t be worried about coming to our Group nights if you are on your own. Make yourself known to John who will greet you at the desk, he will find one of us to come and talk to you. John will also try to get you to part with some money for the raffle. There will be Senior Observers, Observers and generally an Examiner at the evening and you will be able to get answers to any questions that you have. Please come along, we’ll even give you tea or coffee and there is a bar - for light refreshments obviously! Terry Joyce
Electronic Newsletter & Emails Whilst new members have been getting their copy electronically for some time it would be helpful if more people joined in with the electronic age and did the same. We are not going to force anybody to move to electronic but we would appreciate it if you consider letting the newsletter editor know if you are willing to receive yours by email. In any event for the purpose of telling people about Group nights and the occasional event such as the skid pan it is useful to have as many e-mail addresses as possible so if you are not currently on our mailing list it would point to us not having your email address. Please let the newsletter editor know and he will pass it on.
Please let us know if you change your email address. Page 4
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Roll of Honour Congratulations to these latest Members of our Group who have Passed
‘The Test’.
Test No
Name
Test Date
Observer
1070
Graham Bond
7th April
Graham Lowe
1071
Richard Kurzyka
21st April
Graham Robson
1072
Tony Piercy
26th April
Scott Bannister
1073
Steve Trotman
20th May
Scott Bannister
To all those people who have passed their test: It would be appreciated if you could write a few words thanking your Observer and maybe something about the process and your test, to give those New Associates an insight into the process of learning Advanced Driving.
Please remember: Do telephone both your Observer and Scott Bannister ( Associates Co-ordinator ) immediately after your test.
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From the Chairman In this months report I thought I would address the issue of communication. In the modern world, in which we live, communication is on the forefront of the minds of every organisation. Following traditional methods for the sake of 'that's what we've always done' can be both costly and ineffective. As you are no doubt aware the committee recently took the hard decision to reduce the frequency of this publication to cut costs as it was not sustainable at the current subscription level. The committee in its efforts to review current practices is looking at ways to better communicate with its members. It would be good to get feedback to aid our deliberations. Are members willing to get this magazine delivered in their inbox rather than their letterbox? 2. Is the meeting format still working? Does the start time and meeting length suit everyone?
3. Can you think of a way to communicate with you? Either to cut costs or to increase the amount of the membership we can reach. 4. If you are reading this but do not engage with the group what would encourage you to get involved? or what puts you off? It would be good if you can feedback your views to any committee member. I also intend to ask these questions at a committee meeting. Regards Steve Wright Group Chair
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~~~~~~~~ Editorial ~~~~~~~~ Hello, You are probably asking yourself why is there an exhaust and wheel on the front cover. They hopefully look like a 10. This is because when I was writing this newsletter I discovered that I have been the Editor for 10 years. I looked at my editorial from then; I stated that I was taking the role on a trial basis as nobody else had volunteered. Anybody feel like volunteering for the job? In the ten years that I have been Editor there have been four Chairman. There was Nick Fearn, Graham Lowe, Scott Bannister and now Steve Wright. Are there any of you out there who will to write an article or two or maybe become Editor? Is there any subject that you would like to see covered in an article? Thank you to those of you that have contributed to this edition. Please keep the letters and articles coming.
Check out the dates for this year on Page 14.
Please support our events. Visit to Essex Police Museum ÂŁ3 each Chelmsford CM2 6DN
Monday 27th June 19.30 - 22.00 The museum tells the story of the history of the police in Essex from the Victorians to modern day. Step inside the Victorian cell Look through the charge book from 1914 Try on a real police uniform Take your fingerprints Don’t forget the Handcuffs LIMITED TO 30 PEOPLE ONLY. You must pay & book in advance with Sally Langley. Contact details on Page 8
Terry Joyce Please contact me by email at terry.joyce@iamchelmsford.org.uk Page 7
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Group contact information Our Group Enquiry number: - 07757 399897 Honorary Life Members
Mr Mike Corbett, Mr Glyn Jarrett, Mrs Ruth Jarrett, Mr Dave Travers, Mr Colin Snow.
Committee Chairman
Steve Wright
Vice Chairman
Norman Smith
Stevewright1965@hotmail.co.uk
Secretary Treasurer
John Johnston
Membership Secretary
Ken Carrington
07743 438458 johncjohnston101@hotmail.com 07770 524326 ken.car@blueyonder.co.uk
Website Editor Newsletter Editor
Terry Joyce
01268 785674 terry.joyce@iamchelmsford.org.uk
Events Organiser
Sally Langley
Publicity
John Stone
07905 445249 sally147@catlover.com 01245 421160/
Group Contact
07757 399897
Committee Member
Dr Clifford Murira
Committee Member
John Ockmore
Committee Member Committee Member
Ken Howard Malcolm Kentish
Committee Member
Anthony Shilson
Committee Member
Terry Hyland
Observer Examiner
Gaynor Manthorpe
Associates Co-ordinator & Chief Observer
Scott Bannister
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01277 650127 / john.ockmore@iamchelmsford.org.uk
01245 468912 scott.bannister@iamchelmsford.org.uk
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A Bird’s Eye View Goodness, we're into June - where is 2016 going? I must be getting old (no comments, please) because the weeks rush past without telling me. Before we know it, it'll be Christmas. Have you noticed that this lovely, sunny weather has brought out a lot of colour blind people who can't recognise the difference between a green light and a red one? If it wasn't so dangerous, it would be fun to watch them playing "I can leave it later than you can". Seriously, there's an absolute epidemic of running red lights in Chelmsford, with particular fun and games at junctions in Springfield Road. I know that all of you are all advanced drivers so are good boys and girls but don't forget that some of us have dashcams and are happy to show evidence of bad behaviour to the boys in blue. You have been warned! Enjoy the summer, Susan Sweetland
Our Observers Ron Adams
01245 351328
Scott Bannister
01245 468912
Pat Clements
01245 223427
Dr Clifford Murira
01245 514700
Philip Cooper
01268 763804
John Ockmore
01277 650127
Paul Crosby
01245 320242
Graham Robson
01245 321700
Jamie Drummond
01245 469816
Roger Spall
01245 466486
Tony Hawes
01277 622443
John Tullett
01277 623860
Helen Jeffries
01245 323462
Mark Warbey
Terry Joyce
01268 785674
Brian Williams
01621 854576
Rob Laird
07763 715312
Rob Wise
01245 281590
George Locker
01245 474419
Graham Lowe
01277 364908
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Gaynor Manthorpe
Chelmsford Advanced Motorists
01245 328235 (After 7pm please)
Issue 118
Annual Reports to the AGM 2016 Chairman's Report AGM 2016 Wow! was that actually twelve months? My first year in office has flown by. On the surface it does not look as though much has changed but it takes time to alter an organisation. Reformat of Committee Meetings My first task was to change the structure of our meetings to promote actions to be developed and monitored. This enabled change to occur. Introduction of a Sales Commission It was agreed by the committee to introduce a commission of ÂŁ10 for every Skills for Life package sold. This has been developed but we are now waiting for the IAM to change its logo prior to launch. This is because we will need to produce marketing material and we do not want it to be out of date. Addressing Costs It was costing more to service our member than we were getting in subscriptions. This has been addressed by reducing the frequency of the magazine. Qualification of Observers The group has embraced the IAM's new observer training scheme. The decision to embrace this was a difficult one as it meant changing procedures as well as the organisations culture. The process is still ongoing but we are on track at the moment. Marketing The group's marketing material has been reviewed and redeveloped. Again this is waiting for the logo change for implementation. Vice Chairman We have created the new post of Vice Chair which Norman Smith has kindly volunteered to take on. This with make the change of chair smoother and ensure the strategy of the group continues. Well I hope you agree that the committee have been busy in the background. I hope the next twelve months will bring these things into the view of the membership. I thank you for your support and if re-elected will continue the outlined strategy above. Regards Steve ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Membership Secretary’s Report 2016
Our membership figure according to our database is 384, almost identical to last year. New associates so far in 2015 number 19, which is a reduction of around 20%. So we need to keep on spreading the word, and if any members would like to carry a few leaflets in the car, we can provide them. As mentioned last year, one area that is not clear to some is that our Group membership is entirely different, and additional to the main IAM membership. When joining the group, the first year is covered by a payment from Chiswick. Continued on Page 11 Page 10
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Membership Secretary’s Report continued
Thereafter, renewal reminders are sent out by me inviting you to renew at a small cost of £10 when paid by standing order, or £15 if paid by any other means. Once again this year it is pleasing that more people are choosing to pay by standing order. Almost all members renewing for the first time opt for the Standing Order, and of all our long-established members, only 9 still opt to pay by cheque. I will continue to ‘work’ on them! Not only would it make the membership administration much more straight forward, it would also reduce costs of postage etc. Added to that there would be less trips to the bank necessary, which would make the treasurer a very happy man. For any membership related queries, I can be contacted via the mobile number or e-mail address below. Stay safe and enjoy your Advanced Motoring. Ken Carrington – Membership Secretary 07770 524326 ken.car@blueyonder.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Treasurer’s Report
The Group’s accounts for the year ended the 31 March 2016 are set out together with the figures for 2014/2015. Following the deficit in the previous year, for 2015/2016 income exceeded expenditure by £712.01. This main reason for this turnaround is the reduction in telephone and postage costs, from £1,368.94 14/15 to £521.24 15/16. The review of the Groups Gift Aid records is nearly completed and it is hoped that we will be in a position to make a robust claim for Gift Aid shortly. It is pleasing to note that the level of income received from renewals remains at a high level and the income from Associate members joining fees has also increased during the year, this must reflect on drivers understanding the benefits of being shown on how to drive the ‘Advanced Way’ The financial position of the Group is still strong and it has assets in the Charity account of £11,261.90. In view of this, at the moment it is not considered a need for those that are making the £10 per annum donation to the Group by standing order to be asked to increase this figure. The situation in respect of those who pay by cheque is continually under review as with the closure of our Banks branches, dealing with cheques becomes more expensive. It would be helpful to the Group if everybody has a standing order so if you do not please reconsider your decision. It is the wish of the Charity Commission that we do not retain a high level of assets as they should be used by the Charity. To comply with this requirement the committee of the Group is continually looking at further ways of using the funds we have to promote our objectives. In respect of the Social Account, there was a small surplus last year and the balance to be carried forward is £3,962.51. I am pleased to advise you that the Group’s accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016 have been reviewed by an Independent Examiner and they have received a Clean Bill of Health. John Johnston Honorary Treasurer Page 11
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Chelmsford & District Group Instutute of Advanced Motorists Income & Expenditure account for the year to 31 March 2016 Income Gift Aid Full Member Renewals Associate member joining fees 4x4 days Skid pan Newsletter Book Sales Donations Expenditure Other Books General admin & room hire Telephone & Postage Printing & Stationary Travel 4x4 Days Skid Pan Newsletter Surplus for Year Gen Fund Bal bf Surplus for year on activities Gen Fund Bal cf Capital Assets Virgin Deposit cf Int 2015/2016 Total Assets
ye 31/03/2016 £3,070.00 £1,493.00 £475.00 £910.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
£190.60 £134.70 £403.39 £521.24 £141.46 £317.10 £500.00 £900.00 £2,127.50
ye 31/3/2015 £3,025.00 £1,218.00 £540.00
£5,948.00
£163.25 £94.76 £813.53 £1,368.94 £226.43 £288.49
£5,235.99 £712.01
£600.00 £2,180.80
£5,736.20 -£953.20
£2,714.75 £712.01 £3,426.76 £7,757.37 £77.77
£7,835.14 £11,261.90
Social Fund bf Income Expenditure
£3,852.26 £826.90 -£716.65
Bal cf
£3,962.51
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£4,783.00
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Maldon Motor Show The Maldon Motor Show, titled "Classics on the Promenade" is on Saturday 3rd July and the Committee have agreed that we have a stand at the show to promote the group. We have bought a pop up banner (see picture below) and the Committee members that are attending will have IAM RoadSmart polo shirts. The show is well worth a visit. There are Vintage, Classic , and Sports cars. American Cars, Military & Commercial Vehicles, Retro Cars & Motor Bikes, as well as an Auto Jumble and Auto Trade Stands. Also a Vintage and Craft Fair. The show is in Promenade Park and if you look at the picture below, that is the grassy area shown in the picture. Often there are other attractions along the promenade and the Thames Sailing Barges moor up along the Hythe. There are usually a large number of car clubs attend, usually around 40 from Minis to Ferarri. There is usually live entertainment in different areas of the park Free public entrance and free to display your classic vehicle Public 10:00am - Display Vehicles 8:00 AM Why not come and visit us at the show http://www.maldonmotorshow.co.uk/
Maldon Promenade, Park Drive, CM9 5JG
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Dates for 2016 Monday 13th June
Andy Grant (wills, probate & LPS's) from MW Solicitors (speaker from 2015) return to talk more about their work & come along to answers any questions members might have.
Andy Grant
Visit to Essex Police Museum - ÂŁ3 each Monday June 27th
LIMITED TO 30 PEOPLE ONLY. You must pay & book in advance with Sally Langley. See Page 8 for contact details.
Monday 11th July
AGM/Scott Bannister hosts driving round cones (etc!!) night in the car park
Tuesday 19th July Monday 8th August
Committee Meeting Site & Operations Manager of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome talks about wildlife. He will show Russell Savory, slides & a film & discuss how he captures the various images.
Monday 12th September
Group Night
Tuesday 20th September
Committee Meeting
Sunday 2nd October
Driver Experience Day
Monday 10th October
Keith Lovell gives us a talk, subject T.B.A (he has a long list with various options!).
Monday 14th November
A talk on House History by an archivist from the Essex Record Office
Tuesday 22nd November
Committee Meeting
Monday 12th December
Group Night
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Young Driver Scheme Do you know of anyone who is not 17 years of age, but wants to learn how to drive? Chelmsford IAM group supports this road safety scheme to give people the opportunity to learn basic car control skills in Driving School Dual Controlled cars on private land before they go on the public Highway. Lessons, lasting for one hour, are run on the third Sunday of most months at Earls Colne (near Coggeshall). There is an initial Registration Fee of ÂŁ40 which covers registration and the first one hour lesson. Subsequent lessons cost ÂŁ25. Lessons must be booked in advance. The scheme is intended primarily for 16 year-olds but, if vacancies permit, places may be offered to 15 year-olds or even to older people who are nervous about
getting behind the wheel (again, or for the first time). Full details of the scheme, a letter from Essex Police and a map may be viewed, and the application Form can be downloaded, from www.youngdriverscheme.org Alternatively, forms may be obtained from the YDS Organiser. Nicola Hyland, 67 Main Road, St Lawrence Bay, Southminster, CM0 7NA Dedicated Mobile number 07847 645632 or yds@iamchelmsford.org.uk
Notification of Events There has been a lot of positive feedback from events organised by the Group. If you would like to be kept informed of any up and coming events please make sure that l have your current email address.
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Lucky Escape Do you get distracted when filling up your car? Read this from Mick Gilbert. I thought you might be interested in this reply which I got from the IAM regarding my query relating to mis-fueling my diesel Zafira with petrol. I had a lucky escape ,as I had only put one litre in before spotting my mistake . The breakdown mechanic assured me it was safe to dilute it with a full tank of diesel (50 litres) and thankfully no harm has resulted, but it is the sort of mistake we can all make when in a rush or distracted for any reason. Subj: Your query about putting petrol in a diesel car Dear Mr Gilbert. Thank you for your query. I am pleased you realised your mistake so quickly; you avoided a substantial bill. You are certainly not alone. The AA estimates that 150,000 people per year fill up with the wrong fuel – so many that they have a separate service of vans and AA patrols to deal with them. The problem of mis-fuelling has been growing for many years and actually predates when we first started putting diesel engines into petrol cars. Back in the 1980’s when cars had petrol engines, diesel pumps were on a bit of rough ground at the back of filling stations, for use by trucks and buses. No one put the wrong fuel in. Then we realised that the carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and lead which cars belched out in the exhaust fumes were bad for people, so we started to clean them up. We invented catalytic converters to remove carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons and started to make cars which would run on unleaded petrol. However, leaded petrol had to still be available for several years because the majority of cars still in production relied on it, but putting leaded petrol into a car with a catalytic converter will very quickly ruin the converter. So, all car with catalytic converters were produced with smaller diameter fuel filler necks and the unleaded petrol pumps had smaller nozzles. It was therefore impossible to put leaded petrol into a car which would suffer expensive damage from it. Unfortunately, this is a trick which only works once! When we started to put diesel engines in cars en masse, the diesel pump moved Continued on Page 17
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Lucky Escape continued
from the grotty back yard to the smart forecourt and people started to put diesel into their older cars with the wider filler neck. As these gradually aged and diesel cars grew in number, leaded petrol sales stopped and more and more people started to put the narrow unleaded petrol nozzle into their wider diesel filler neck.
Unfortunately, even though organisations like the IAM were raising the issue with car makers and oil companies, neither of them suffered any consequences from their customers’ errors and there was great reluctance to spend money solving a problem which was not theirs. As far as the car makers were concerned putting the wrong fuel in was not a warranty issue and if anything, simply meant they sold more spare parts. The filling stations just sold a bit more fuel. Only the poor old motorists had to pay – and it’s usually a very substantial bill. How much depends on whether you have realised the error and done nothing, or turned on the ignition or started the engine. If you have not turned the key, it is simply the cost of draining the tank and re-filling it – usually in the region of £50, plus the course, the cost of a tank of wasted fuel. Turning on the ignition immediately circulates the contaminated fuel around the whole system, so all the fuel pipes need to be flushed through and the filter replaced. The primary fuel pump may also need replacing. A bill for a few, or several hundred pounds is not unusual. If the engine has been started, it usually means a new high pressure pump and set of injectors as well. This will run to four figures for most cars. In extreme cases, the complete engine has needed replacing. In my time I have seen many devices aimed at preventing this error, but 1) few if any would be effective 2) unless it’s happened to you, you’re unlikely to buy one and 3) if it has happened to you, you’re very unlikely to forget again. Finally, Ford introduced a clever device in the filler neck which prevented a thin petrol nozzle from opening it. Other manufacturers seem to have quietly followed suit, but by no means all, which is presumably why the AA can still make money out of their Fuel Assist service. I am pleased that you did not suffer any serious consequences from what is a simple mistake to make – but please do check carefully in future! Kind regards Tim Shallcross Head of Technical Policy and Advice Page 17
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IAM RoadSmart (formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016. Over the last 60 years more than 400,000 people have taken their skills to the next level and become advanced drivers or riders with the organisation. To mark the anniversary, IAM RoadSmart is staging two parties; one for bike enthusiasts on 2 July and another for car buffs on 9 July. Isle of Man TT winners Steve Plater and Mick Grant are attending the bike party, while rally legend Paddy Hopkirk will be special guest at the car party. The organisation was established in 1956. By 1995 the IAM had guided its 250,000th member through his advanced test and in the past 21 years 150,000 more have taken the opportunity to improve their skills on the road. In 1962 the organisation introduced the first test for commercial vehicle drivers in the UK and in 1976 the IAM introduced its first motorcycle test. A decade later it launched a fleet training programme for businesses. By 1998 the IAM’s 200th local group was formed; today there are 207. The local groups are the lifeblood of IAM RoadSmart, coaching and testing potential advanced drivers and riders week-in week-out. Currently there are more than 5,000 volunteers representing the groups across the UK. By the 2000’s the IAM was increasingly involved in lobbying the government for change in transport legislation. Its manifesto became widely respected for setting out the scene of what it regarded as the most essential developments in road safety – such as a graduated driving licence system and introducing road safety to the National Curriculum. In 2016 the Institute of Advanced Motorists was renamed IAM RoadSmart, and over the coming year will launch a range of products which support specific needs, to include driving at night, rural driving and motorway driving. Continued on Page 19
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IAM RoadSmart 60 continued
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the organisation, there are two parties coming up celebrating all things bike and car – a bike party at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 2 July and a car party at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon on 9 July. Visitors also have the chance to have their car or bike take centre stage as part of the magnificent #60bikes and #60cars displays. IAM RoadSmart is looking for one motorcycle or scooter manufactured in each year of IAM/IAM RoadSmart’s existence for the 2 July party, and the equivalent for the car party on 9 July. The bike party will be attended by two legends of the British biking scene – 2009 British Supersport champion and twice winner of the Isle of Man TT race Steve Plater, and works Kawasaki and Honda rider and seven times Isle of Man TT winner Mick Grant. Guest of honour at the car party will be none other than Mini royalty – winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo and 1967 Acropolis rallies Paddy Hopkirk. Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer, said: “We are proud of what we’ve achieved over the past 60 years. In co-operation with our group volunteers and the willingness of the motoring and riding public, we have all worked to improve lives for the better and have seen road fatalities and injuries plummet over the decades. “As IAM RoadSmart we are now ready for the next 60 years. There will always be a need to make better drivers and riders whatever happens to the transport landscape in the UK. Our work will only become more relevant in the future. “Our events on 2 and 9 July will be a chance for people to celebrate their love of cars, bikes and most importantly driving. They are an important part of so many of our lives for so many reasons. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.” Tickets for IAM RoadSmart’s 60th anniversary parties, at just £10 per person, are on sale now. You do not need to be a member of IAM RoadSmart to come along and there is no limit to the number of tickets you can buy. To purchase just call 0300 303 1134. Information will be regularly updated on our dedicated web pages for each party – you can find them here www.iamroadsmart.com/bikeparty and here www.iamroadsmart.com/carparty Both parties will feature a marketplace for all riding and driving memorabilia and equipment, and a chance to try your hand at a number of fiendish skills tests and prove you are king of two or four wheels. Alternatively if observing is more your thing, you and your family can join us for a picnic and a relaxing day out.
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Events 2016 As a group we are able to put on subsidised and low cost events to help you to improve your driving skills and have some fun. On Sunday 10th April we held our first Driver Experience day of the year and didn’t fill all the places, so offered them to other groups. The next Driver Experience Day is on Sunday 2nd October. Contact Scott Bannister for your place. £15 donation to the Essex Air Ambulance. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to drive around the Dunton Test Track.
The famous Dunton banking.
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Letters & emails On all matters relating to motoring and the Chelmsford Group, this newsletter or your experiences in preparing for or taking your test are most welcome.
Dear Terry, My 'skills for life' initial assessment concluded well enough when Scott declared that he was content to remain in the car with me a little longer, long enough at least to cure me of what he described as my 'gearbox obsession'. Something that was duly achieved after several weeks of 'hands touching across the transmission tunnel' whereupon the focus shifted to my equally obsessive indications (they drilled us hard on mirror, signal, manoeuvre in the late 80s when I was first taught to drive) which I have to confess still stalk me to this day. The finer points of the system then came together, followed by commentary until I was finally declared ready for the test and passed over to Pat who gamely subjected herself to my 'lower than a snake's belly' choice of wheels for a mock test in which she rounded off a few rough edges and offered me a few pointers for the test. PC James Ward of the Met turned out to be a proper gent and evidently highly passionate about all aspects of driving and road safety. The test passed off without incident although not aided by Tommy the Carpet Fitter (whom James identified as a neighbour of his) in his Transit sitting feet from my backside as I sat stoically at 30mph, or the unidentified driver of a BMW X5 who offered us a perfect example of how NOT to tackle a blind bend on the brow of a hill. There's nothing like having a serving police officer in the passenger seat holding a clipboard to make you feel like a nervous 17 year-old again, so it was with huge relief that he told me that he recommended me for membership and also for a F1RST offering the opinion that my observers had done a very good job and should be proud of themselves. Since then I've enjoyed both the Dunton Track and Essex Skidpan events in order to learn more about emergency conditions in a safe environment and look forward to further involvement with the Group in the future. Mark Criddle
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Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Library List DVDs Drive Smarter, Essential know-how for your driving career (2 copies) By Gem Motoring Assist Roadcraft, The Police Driver’s Course on Advanced Driving By The Police Foundation
PC CD-ROMs The Interactive Highway Code HMSO/ Interactive Driving Systems Hazard Perception Test
HMSO/Oasis
BOOKS Roadcraft Human Aspects of Police Driving The Tyre Digest (2 copies)
TSO Scottish Police College Michelin
Driving Abroad
Robert Davies
The Official Highway Code Rev. 2007 Edition
HMSO
The Official Guide to Accompanying L-Drivers
DSA
Sideways to Victory
Roger Clark
The Myway Code
Ian Vince/Dan Kieran
Paul Ripley’s Expert Driving
Daily Telegraph
The Inner Game of Tennis
W Timothy Gallwey
Mind Driving
Stephen Haley
Older Drivers – Safe or Unsafe? Traffic– Why we drive the way we do Boreham, A History of the Racing Circuit
IAM Tom Vanderbilt Bryan Jones & John Frankland
CDs Awake, Driver Reviver
THINK
Advanced Road Craft
Bespoke Driving Training
The Driving Test – Your Licence to Drive
IAM/Safety on the Move
If you have any books etc from the Library can you please contact Clifford Murira
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‘My Holiday Pics’
Fancy driving around this? Road system in Dubai taken from the 125th floor of the Burj Khalifa.
You don’t see many of these in Essex. This page is usually for pictures of our Associates when they receive their certificates for passing the test but very few turn up at our group nights to receive them, so I’ll try and find some pictures that may be of interest. Terry Joyce Any suggestions?
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Chelmsford Advanced Motorists
Issue 118
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