Monday 10th November
7:15pm for 7:45
Meeting: Judith Billingham, Safety Manager for Wiltshire Council, will be our speaker.

Monday 8th December
7:15pm for 7:45
Meeting: Stuart Bullock, RoADAR Regional Examiner will be speaking.

Friday 30th January
7:30pm
Christmas/New Year Meal at The Village Inn, Liddington

Monthly Ride-Outs
Remember that monthly Bike Ride-Outs take place on the 3rd Saturday of every month.

Monthly meetings are all held at Liddington Village Hall opposite the church.

Welcome to the following members who have all recently joined the group:

Harold Bruce (Bike)
Bob Fram (Car)
David Giles (Car)

Congratulations to the following members who have all passed their bike re-tests recently:

Steve Hyde (Gold)
Tony Wilkes (Silver)
Andrew Wilcox (Gold) 

We are always looking for more articles, ideas and news for the newsletter. Have you been somewhere interesting recently that would make a good story? If you attend any group events then take a camera and send us your pictures!

Please forward all contributions to newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk

 

Remember that membership renewals became due for most members at the recent AGM. If you have not yet renewed and wish to remain a member of Wiltshire RoADAR please forward your renewal form together with payment (or pay electronically via bank transfer) to Monica as soon as possible. Members who have not renewed will be removed from our records at the end of October.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM was held on 13th October. 21 members attended and seventeen apologies were received. The secretary reported that membership has risen again this year, but with a few expected to drop off as memberships are not renewed after the AGM. The level of test passes continues to be good with high standards being attained.

The treasurer reported a healthy bank balance with enough funds to cover unexpected expenses. It was agreed that anyone finding themselves in difficulty paying their annual subscription because of job loss or change should have a confidential word with either the chairman or treasurer as assistance may be available.

The chairman reported a very busy and successful year, and particularly thanked the committee for their support through some difficult situations. There are a number of very interesting plans for next year including a driving day in June, more details will be available in future newsletters.

The new officers and committee were elected with Monica Graham now taking the new role of Membership Secretary and Mary Southgate being elected as Group Secretary. In recognition of Monica's outstanding service she has been presented with Lifetime Membership with our grateful thanks.

The following members have been elected onto the committee for 2014/2015: 

Chairman - Stephen Izatt
Secretary - Mary Southgate
Treasurer - Mike Southgate
Membership Secretary - Monica Graham
Car Co-ordinator - Monica Graham
Bike Co-ordinator - John McKellar
Car Training Officer - Nick Carrington
Committee Member - Kevin Hugo
Committee Member - Mark Sealey
Committee Member - Babs Grillo
Committee Member - Winston Castle
Committee Member - Gary Franks
Committee Member - Greg Scawen

In order to get a better view of the thoughts and ideas of our members will soon be launching a survey of our members. During the next few weeks you should receive an invitation to participate by email. We hope you will be able to spare a few minutes to answer the questionnaire as we can only run the group effectively if we understand what our member's want from their membership. 

We have now arranged a visit to a commercial driving school to give our members the opportunity to experience life behind the wheel of large vehicles.

During the morning of Saturday 20th June 2015 we will be visiting Allied Driving School at Netherhampton, near Salisbury. Instruction will be given in an articulated lorry (3 axle unit and a 2 axle trailer with rear axle stearing), two 18 tonne box lorries and two cars with trailers.

The cost of this morning will be £26 including lunch. Expect our visit to last for approximately four hours.

There are 15 places available and these are open to all our members and associates. Please contact Monica to reserve your place. Total payment will be required early next year.

Our traditional Christmas/New Year meal will be taking place on Friday 30th January 2015 at The Village Inn, Liddington, near Swindon. Tables have been booked at 7:30pm for 8:00pm. All members and their partners are welcome! The cost for a three course meal is £19.95 per person. To book your places please contact Monica as soon as possible informing her of your menu choices from the following menu. Payment in full must be made by 1st January.

Starters

Soup of the day
Melon & prawn cocktail
Pate

Main courses

Roast Beef
With Horseradish sauce
Served with roast potatoes & vegetables

Homemade Steak & Ale Pie
Chunks of beef cooked with our local 3Bs
Served with roast potatoes & vegetables

Roast Chicken
Served with roast potatoes & vegetables.

Fresh Haddock
Served with new potatoes & vegetables

Angus Beef Lasagne
Served with a crisp salad garnish & garlic bread.

Vegetable & nut roast
With a cranberry sauce.
Served with roast potatoes & vegetables

Puddings

Fresh Fruit Salad
Homemade Apple Pie
Luscious Lemon Cheese Cake
Mile High Chocolate Fudge Cake
Ice Cream Sundae

Tea or Coffee

Herefordshire Adventure - Another successful adventure by the motorcycle section

On Saturday the 11th October we gathered at the Little Chef near to Cirencester. The usual meeting point in the lorry park next to Greasy Joe’s has closed as the site is going to be re-developed.

Due to the ride leader's inability to use Basecamp and export the ride to Garmin gpx files, he was unable to share the leading and led for nearly the whole weekend.

Nine bikes and eleven people set off from, and enjoyed riding through Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and a brief sortie into Wales (just for the Sealeys).  As usual we used all types of road, except unmetalled.

You could have been forgiven for thinking the theme was food, that was purely accidental - honest. On Saturday we first rode to Westons Cider near Much Marcle where we were treated to Morris dancing as part of the Apple Festival and enjoyed drinks and cakes in the busy café. We had planned to visit the much lauded Buttley Tearooms but unfortunately the proprietor was recovering from a serious illness and was unable to accommodate us. Second choice was Berries tearoom inside the Oak Church Farm Shop where the group enjoyed a wide variety of meals.

Back on the road we popped over the border into Wales to the small rural town of Presteign where, whilst the staff were very friendly, they throw petrol on the floor and don’t allow self-service, it also coincided with a huge downpour. We deviated from the planned route and headed to Monkland Cheese Dairy. Here we enjoyed the customary delicious afternoon tea, coffee & cakes. Some of us invested in the wonderful produce made at the dairy.

Quite unbelievably we arrived at Brandon Lodge on time! A cleaner, tidier establishment you will struggle to find. We had a very attentive welcome with pieces of wood supplied for those bikes without centre stands and offered a room to dry wet gear in. After gathering in the bar we taxied into the City centre and enjoyed a hearty Indian meal at the recommended Jalsagor. The food was good albeit very slow, though I didn’t fancy the spaghetti curry that Clare and Mark tried.

After a late start on Sunday we met in the hotel’s restaurant for a traditional Wiltshire RoADAR breakfast with black pudding and, as a small thank you to the ride leader, an extra sausage and larger portion of black pudding ensures a return visit.

A few sloped off after breakfast leaving seven bikes and eight people to head into Worcestershire for mid-morning refreshments. We reached our most northerly point just shy of Kidderminster where some of us enjoyed our only ‘U’ turn ahead of the mid-morning coffee/tea at The Colliers Farm shop café before heading further north. The second routing problem occurred when it became necessary to ride south on the M5 around Worcester before picking up the A38 running along the Severn Valley, through Tewkesbury to Staverton. Lunch was taken at Staverton Airfield where we bumped into some of the Gloucester group who had returned from a half day excursion.

Thanks to those who attended for making it such an enjoyable event.

Steve Hyde

In my experience the method of carrying out the 'Stationary Brake Test' – 'Moving Brake Test'– 'Running Brake Test' – 'Rolling Brake Test' has changed and it seems that there are now some slight variations taking place.

The 1960 version of Roadcraft states that 'The method of testing is as follows: If possible, choose a level stretch of road with a good surface; then, while travelling at 30mph in top gear, apply the brakes with medium initial firmness and then progressively harder, so that the vehicle loses road speed rapidly without locking any road wheels. During the test, due regard must be given to the safety and convenience of other road users'.

The 2013 version of Roadcraft suggests 'Testing Your Brakes: Check the brakes every time you use your vehicle, both before you move off and when the vehicle is moving.'  An appendix provides more information such as 'Check that the brake pedal moves freely and gives a firm positive pressure that can be maintained for 3 to 4 seconds. Physically check that the Parking Brake secures the vehicle.'

However it doesn't now mention the speed at which the test should be carried out. The Police Driving School at Hendon issues the following guidance to officers who attend its courses:

Before a police officer takes a police vehicle into service he/she must conduct a static brake test followed at a suitable safe moment by conducting a running brake test. 999 calls and pursuits place a heavy demand on braking systems and police drivers take very seriously static and running brake tests. We would not brake lightly during a running brake test.

Objective of Static Brake Test: To ensure there are no hydraulic leaks in the braking system, when pressurised - from bundy piping, brake limiter valve, slave cylinders or master cylinder, etc.

Method: Apply pressure to the foot brake and release the handbrake. Maintain the pressure on the footbrake for at least 5 seconds, if there is a leak in the system the brake pedal will slowly sink to the floor.

Objective of Running Brake Test
1. To ensure the vehicle brakes in a straight line and there is no adverse effect (rumble, vibration or grating noise).
2. Check action of inertia safety belt (locks up)

Method: Move off - build speed up and level off at 30MPH and take 4th gear. When safe to do so, brake firmly to about 10 MHP at which point release the brake pedal and immediately re-apply very firmly to test safety belts. (This is not suitable for RoADAR!)

On a RoADAR test, I would suggest taking the vehicle up to a reasonable speed that gives you a logical analysis of braking efficiency. I also suggest that you place your open palms lightly at a position of a quarter to three on the steering to check for any discrepancies. Above all, please be professional in your attitude to these checks.

Chris Gleed