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Dates For Your Diary
Monday 11th November
7:15pm for 7:45
Meeting: Stephen Wilkinson Carr will be talking on the subject of
'Understanding and avoiding SMIDSY (Sorry Mate I Didn't See You) collisions'?
Monday 9th December
7:15pm for 7:45
Meeting: Colin and Dee Masters will be our speakers. They will be discussing their overland trip to Australia by bike.
Friday 10th January 2014
Christmas/New Year Meal, Bolingbroke Arms, Hook
Saturday 8th March
First Aid Course
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.
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Do you have a topic you would like discussed, or know of an interesting speaker? Please contact Monica!
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Welcome to the following members who have all recently joined the group:
James Wymer (car)
Mario Caves (car)
Nigel Forrester (car)
James Lane (bike)
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Congratulations to the following members:
John Meckellar recently passed his bike test with a Gold grade. His tutor was Lisa Wilcox.
Stuart Wallis recently passed his bike test with a Gold grade. His tutor was Andrew Wilcox.
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Don’t forget that we have a range of clothing available to puchase. We also offer a range of books, such as Roadcraft, Motorcycle Roadcraft and the Highway Code, and these are available at discounted prices.
For more information visit the Merchandise page of our web site at www.wiltshireroadar.co.uk.
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We are always looking for more articles, ideas and news for the newsletter. Have you been somewhere interesting recently that would make a good story? If you attend any group events then take a camera and send us your pictures!
Please forward all contributions to newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk |
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A Message From Our New Chairman
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Thank you for electing me as Chair after only a short time with the group. My only claim is over five decades as a motorcyclist and driver in many different countries.
I welcome any comments and ask you to engage as much as possible with the committee and me. Our organisation exists to serve its members and to encourage others. Please contact me with your suggestions as to how we can improve.
We need to continue to train and to seek new members, both car drivers and motorcyclists. Such new members usually join through recommendation or through a member explaining our aims. So please continue to spread the message of our commitment to improve road safety by training.
My early efforts are to engage with our sister and other advanced motorist and motorcycle organisations. A common voice should improve our hearing with the local emergency services who can assist us at safety events and through engagement. These emergency services will experience significant change in the coming year and be subject to further budgetary pressures.
I look forward to meeting and talking to as many of you as possible at our forthcoming talks and social events.
Stephen Izatt
Chairman
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Many thanks to all our members who attended the recent AGM. The following members were elected to the committee:
Chairman: Stephen Izatt
Secretary: Monica Graham
Treasurer: Mike Southgate
Car Training Officer: Nick Carrington
Bike Training Officer: Julian Burton
Other committee members:
Kevin Hugo, Winston Castle, Babs Grillo, Mike Ainsworth
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Pictured: Stephen Izatt, Mike Southgate and Monica Graham |
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We can now confirm that we will be running a First Aid course on Saturday 8th March 2014. If you would be interested in attending this please let Monica know. There is a maximum of 20 spaces available on this day and we have 10 names so far. As we have had positive feedback from members who attended previous courses we have run, the training will once again be provided by Rainbow TDA (formerly Rubicon). This will be a full day's training using the facilities at Liddington and will be based around the needs of road users.
The committee have agreed that the group will subsidise the cost of this course, so expect the cost to members to be around £35, depending on exact numbers. (It would be much more than that to attend a similar course otherwise.)
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This months rideout was ably prepared and led by Jon Penney. The start point was Chippenham's Little Chef although half of the riders started at the alternative location of Codford. The first stop and meeting of the whole gang was at the East Somerset Railway Cranmore Station (www.eastsomersetrailway.co.uk), located just off the A361 between Frome and Shepton Mallet, where we enjoyed hot drinks and home made chocolate goodies.
From Cranmore we headed west then north, east and south whilst the ride leader tackled the Jon-Jon navigation tool (Patent Pending). We were also able to practice our slow riding skills whilst completing ‘U’ turn manoeuvres. Despite the Dakar Rally using a similar Roadbook system for navigation it's likely Jon can be sure in the knowledge the design is not likely to be copied.
We next rested at the foot of Cheddar Gorge but only for a breather and discussion on tactics before heading up through the gorge on our way Westish to the village of Mark where we took a rather convivial lunch at Richs Cider Farm. Unfortunately whilst in the restaurant the weather took a turn for the worse.
The ride leader warned us that the road ahead would be bumpy and he was right. Somerset levels maybe the name of the area but the description doesn’t extend to the road surface. The heavy rain quickly created large deep puddles and the writer was regretting not taking the adventure bike when the sun came out again.
The route took us uphill and north to Somerton and to the A303 where again the group split back to their respective homes.
A great route and rideout, why not join in the fun or even arrange your own route? The rideout co-ordinator is currently looking for volunteers for 2014, contact Mark Sealey at rideouts@wiltshireroadar.co.uk.
Steve Hyde
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Variable mandatory speed limits will be introduced on the M4 near Bristol before the end of the month as part of the delivery of the managed motorway upgrade scheme. The enforceable variable speed limits will be indicated on the overhead electronic signs above each lane in a red ring and will be introduced to help ease congestion during busy periods or if an incident occurs. Lane closures will be displayed by a solid red cross with flashing beacons and instructions to move out of a lane will be displayed by a white arrow.
The Highways Agency intends to open the hard shoulder for short periods on the M4 on a trial basis. The hard shoulder will then become fully operational later this year following this testing and a commissioning phase.
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Christmas/New Year Meal - Friday 10th January 2014
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The Chirstmas/New Year Meal will be taking place at The Bolingbroke Arms in Hook, near Royal Wootton Bassett on the evening of the 10th January. All members and their partners are welcome! Please let Monica know if you wish to attend together with your choices from the following menu:
Homemade Roast Parsnip Soup with Crusty Bread
Creamy Garlic Mushrooms served with Granary Bread
Mozzarella, tomato & Crisp Pancatta Salad drizzled with a Classic Vinaigrette
Homemade Steak and Stilton Pie
Braised Minted Lamb Shank served on a bed of mashed potato
Pan Fried Chicken Breast wrapped in Bacon served with a Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Garden Tartlet filled with Vegetables topped with melted Smoked Applewood Cheese served with a mixed salad
Fresh Salmon Grilled with Lemon and Black Pepper
Fresh Fruit Salad or Sorbet
Homemade Baileys Cheesecake Drizzled with Chocolate Sauce
Homemade Warm Chocolate Fudge Cake with Clotted Cream or Ice Cream
Apple Pie with Custard or Ice Cream
Coffee / Tea
£23 per person
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