July 2018
 
Dates For Your Diary
 
 
Monthly meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at Liddington Village Hall, opposite the church
    
August 2018
No Meeting
 
September 10th 2018
Mark Harris Road users 1st Aid

October 8th 
AGM
 
 

 
Skillshare
Next date is 4 August at Three Trees Farm Shop Chiseldon
 
 
Monthly Ride-Outs
Remember that monthly Bike Ride-Outs take place on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Check the Forum for details
Do you have a topic you would like discussed, or know of an interesting speaker?  Please contact Monica!
 
 
Congratulations!

Congratulations to the following members who have passed their Advanced Tests recently:  
 
Kevin Smith - (Car) Silver Tutor Monica Graham,
Neil Holmewood (Bike) Silver  Tutor Bob Fram
Nick Carrington - Advanced Tutor Car (retest),
 
Please welcome the following to the Group:
Michael Watson (Car)
Tony Chalkly (Car)
Cristian Stoica (Bike)
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise
Don’t forget that we have a range of clothing available to purchase. 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.
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
 
 
We're now on
Facebook
AND
Twitter!
Find us on facebook
@wiltshireroadar
Notices
 
Annual General Meeting - 8 October 2018
 
It is nearly October and it is time for us to ensure we are running the Group properly and hold our AGM.  This will be on the October meeting date and is your chance to hear what the committee have been up to and to inform us how you wish the Group to develop.  Please make every effort to attend.  Agenda will be distributed nearer the date.
 
We need some more volunteers for the Committee and to take on some administration roles (which do not mean you have to be on the Committee).  If you are interested please get in touch with any of the committee members or come along to the Committee meetings – the next one is on 15 Aug at the Village pub in Liddington at 7.15 pm.
 
Most of the Committee members are happy to stand for re-election but we are in need of some more support:
 
John McKellar is emigrating next year so will leave the Committee – any volunteers to replace him will be very welcome.
 
We need some people to help with the running of the Group (there is no need to be on the committee to do these):
 
Skillshare coordinator
 
Bike Ride out coordinator
 
Bike representative (coordinate associate allocation to Tutors)
 
The current incumbents are still in the Group and a full handover will be provided.  These tasks are not onerous and only need a few hours per month of your time.
 
 
May Trippers
 
Eighteen members of the Group spent a week based in the Welsh village of Tresaith, Ceredigion on Cardigan Bay to enjoy the local scenery.  Blessed with fantastic weather (it only rained once and this was a half-hearted attempt which came to nought) we enjoyed stunning West Wales scenery and fantastic roads.  Each of us took turns in organising a ride out; on some days there were separate rides to suit the energy levels of participants.  Those in cars either joined the bikes at pre-arranged rendezvous or did their own thing.
 
 
Portmeirion
 
We soaked up the local culture and history, visits included; coracle museum, Cwm Rhydol hydro-electric system, Penderyn distillery, Portmeirion (of Prisoner fame), Devil’s Bridge, Aberystwyth and some fantastic mountain roads.  There was the usual geographic embarrassment (despite the use of modern satnavs), gallons of tea drunk and a small mountain of cake consumed. 
 
 
Lunch stop at Nant -y -Moch reservoir
 
This is becoming an annual event and 2019 the plan is to base in Beverley Yorkshire 18 - 25 May 2019.  As per previous years we are arranging our own accommodation to suit individual needs - there is no need to spend the whole week with the Group.  For more information contact the Committee.
 
 
Message from RoADAR HQ
 
During the winter period we have been listening to our membership and groups as to what we can do to improve the experience of being part of the RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders network.
 
You may remember the survey we sent out in November; 97% of those who responded told us they would like further benefits for their RoSPA Advanced Driving and Riding membership, so we are delighted to announce that from September 2018, all members will have access to a huge new range of discounts.
 
Members will be able to get money off car and bike insurance with a new high profile insurer – something you told us would be a priority addition to membership – as well as car care plans, holidays, days out, travel (including ferries), and a host of other products and services.
More details of how to access the brand new benefits platform will be sent out in due course 
 
As of September 2018, there will be the annual increase to membership to £40 per year, tests and retests will be as per the price on the Forum.  There will be no change to the fees for the Advanced Tutor Test, Car or Bike. We take pride in continuing to offer advanced tests and membership at a competitive price compared to other providers.  Details are also on the Forum.
 
 Yearly Subscriptions
Car
 £40
Bike
 £40
Dual Membership
 £40
Emergency Services
 £38
 
Initial Test Fees
Car, 26 years and over
 £67
Car, 25 years and under
 £62
Bike, 26 years and over
 £73
Bike, 25 years and under
 £68
LGV and PCV
 £70
Interim Tests
Car
 £51
Bike
 £56
Experienced Driver Assessment
 £55
Advanced Tutor Test
Car
 £50
Bike
 £65
 
 
Calne Bike Meet
The Group had a stand at the Calne Bike meet – always a good day out (particularly if you are interested in motorcycles!).  This is a fertile recruiting ground and also a chance to chat to other organisations who are having similar issues to us.  See below for our stand with the new Branding.  This is available for any meeting or promotional event via the Chairman.
 
 
Thames Valley - Force Open Day Saturday 18 August
 

   
This summer, Thames Valley Police (TVP) will once again be opening its doors to the public for its annual force open day.    As this year marks 50 years since the formation of TVP, the force will be celebrating the work it has done for the past half a century.

      
Join us on Saturday 18 August at our Training Centre in Sulhamstead, near Reading (post code RG7 4DX) between 10am and 4pm.
      
There will be something for everyone as stalls showcase what TVP has to offer. Some of the highlights include:
  • Arena displays, including the public order team combined with the mounted section
  • Children’s fancy dress competition – come dressed in a police themed costume to be in with the chance of winning a fabulous prize
  • Pat and chat with the mounted section – A chance to meet officers and their horses
  • See the force helicopter and meet the pilots
  • Learn about different departments such as the Forensic Investigation Unit and FISO (Force Intelligence and Specialist Operations)
  • Visit the police museum
  • Hear about what it is like to be on the other end of 999 and 101 calls in our specialist talks, also including how it feels to be at the centre of complex major crime investigations

As at past events, TVP will be raising money for two worthy charities. This year, these are Mind Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, and the Police Dependants Trust.

After the record breaking 8,000 visitors last year, organisers have been working hard to improve access to the event.

This year there will be two entrances for visitors at South Drive and White Lodge.

Due to this, it is important that visitors follow the signs to the event. The roads will be busy and narrow country lanes can make it difficult to turn around if you go the wrong way.

Car parking is available on a first come, first served basis and will open from 9.30am. Only assistance dogs are permitted, visitors who arrive with dogs will be turned away and dogs must not be left in cars.

On entry to the event bag searches will be taking place.

The event, which has free entry, starts at 10am with last entry at 3.30pm for a 4pm finish.

We look forward to welcoming you to the event and celebrating 50 years of TVP.

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter channels for further information in the lead up to the event.
 
Geeks Corner - How old are we?

 We currently have 93 of 133 (70%) of members who have given us a year of birth.
Our oldest member was born in 1942!
Of those who answered...
  • 11% of members who were born in the 40's
  • 24% of members who were born in the 50's
  • 39% of members who were born in the 60's
  • 15% of members who were born in the 70's
  • 15% of members who were born in the 80's
  • 4% of members who were born in the 90's
 
 
Communication 

  Committee minutes    These are available from the Group Secretary if any member wishes to see them. If you are interested in reading the minutes, then please send a mail to the Group Secretary whom will promptly forward them onto you.
 
Committee membership  Always on the lookout for willing volunteers to help run the group and maintain its high standards. Just for info, the committee meets once a month. However, the mix of the committee is very strongly biased towards bikers; there is only one car representative now on the committee. Any car drivers want to change the balance?
 
  
Forum
 
A reminder for all Members there is a Forum on the Website which can be used for any purpose but particularly coordinating events, hints, tips and general conversation.  It is easy to register on the website so please do log on and chat away.
 
Test results 
 
Reminder to let the Membership Secretary and your tutor know when you have taken your Advanced Driving/Riding Test and result. This is so our database is kept up to date; there is no need or pressure at all to have the result published on the website or in this newsletter if you wish to keep your result confidential.

  
 
Communication from RoADAR Coordinator - Richard Howes
Richard's monthly message has been placed on the Forum under General Discussion.  Please head over there to see the latest from our Regional Coordinator
 
RoADAR Head Office facebook Page
 
Reminder of the page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/161699161113584/ or type in RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders in to your facebook.
 
 
 
Skillshare 2018 - Next Event 4 August - Three Trees Farm Shop
Skillshare will run from 10 am on the first Saturday of each month from April to October.  The locations (to improve our coverage across the County) are as follows:
 
For April, June, August and October it will be at the Three Trees Farm Shop at Chiseldon
 
For May, July and September it will at the Haven Salisbury.
 
Skillshare is for both car drivers and bike riders.
 
Drivers or riders can turn up and get a free assessment of their skills, with the opportunity to sign up for full membership if they want to take it further. If members get an opportunity to publicise Skillshare the website is a good starting point or please ask Mark Sealey for more information (skillshare@wiltshireroadar.co.uk)
 
Membership Secretary: Mr Gary Franks
Hon Secretary: Mr Peter Genet
secretary@wiltshireroadar.co.uk
To make sure that you receive our messages we recommend that you add newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk, membership@wiltshireroadar.co.uk and secretary@wiltshireroadar.co.uk to your address list.