The Newsletter of Chelmsford Advanced Motorists
It’s the Brake Off www.iamchelmsford.org.uk Issue 120 December 2016 IAM Group 7223 Registered Charity No 1059372
National Observer John Tullett receiving his certificate for passing the National Observer qualification from Chairman Steve Wright.
I applied for the National Observer test in June anticipating a waiting list of around a month. However, things did not quite go as planned when I managed to break a bone in my foot whilst gardening, after inadvertently disturbing a wasps nest! The IAM also seemed to be having some difficulties of their own as I ended up being allocated to three different examiners, before Steve Ewing got in touch with me to agree a test date at the end of September. These changes proved beneficial for me because Steve was an ideal choice as an examiner, being friendly and personable, making the test an enjoyable process. Considering that the National Observer Competency document runs to over forty A4 pages I was a little surprised that the test was distilled down to a half hour scenario, with the examiner playing the role of an associate, followed by a half hour assessment of my driving. I also had not anticipated that Steve, who lives in Kent, would travel to my house and be happy for me to select the test routes. In the end I had to complete several practise runs, to ensure I could include a suitable mixture of roads without overrunning, as most of my favourite routes for observed drives tend to need at least an hour. I would like to thank Terry Joyce for his advice and assistance in taking me out for a mock test. John Tullett
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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
Speaker
Monday 9th January
The changing face of Basildon over the last 150 years
Ken Porter
Monday 13th February
Murder, its investigation and the use of forensic science.
Peter Whent DABS Forensic Ltd
Monday 13th March
Ex Police Crime Commissioner and road safety
Nick Alston
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 Joanna Naylor
Leytonstone
Victoria Stacey
Bradwell-on-Sea
John Plumtree
Brentwood
Michael Klaber
Chelmsford
Bernard Peel
Braintree
Paul Marven
Chelmsford
Stephen Hedges
Dunmow
Diane Regan
Chelmsford
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
1081
Keith Derry
14th September
Scott Bannister
1082
Anne Thaw
21st September
George Locker
1083
Dawn Ramsey
7th October
Graham Robson
1084
Iain Turton
5th October
John Ockmore
1085
Linda Kelly
17th October
Gaynor Manthorpe
1086
Carole Gray
24th November
Scott Bannister
1087
Lynne Button
6th December
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 May I start by wishing all readers festive greetings and wish that the new year will bring joy and happiness to all. As with previous years I can report another successful year. We have run a varied programme of group nights, put on weekend activities and of course carried out many observed drives. None of these things would be possible without members of the group giving their time freely to carry out the various duties required to operate the group. As always we are on the look out for other members to join the committee or help out with other activities. I would like to use this opportunity to thank three of the aforementioned volunteers. Firstly Sally. Sally has worked tirelessly identifying and organising guest speakers. Unfortunately she has decided not to continue with this into the new year. I would like to thank her for all her hard work. Secondly I would like to thank Gaynor. Over the year the amount of associates who have been under her tutor ledge amounts unbelievably into three figures. So a big thank you goes out to her from the group. Other observers who have decided not to continue into the new year include Ron Adams, Philip Cooper, Paul Crosby, Tony Hawes Rob Laird, George Locker, Roger Spall, Mark Warbey and Brian Williams A big thanks go out to them for all of their hard work. Finally it is with deep sadness that I report that Scott has decided to resign from his post as Chief Observer and will no longer observe associates. As my observer I know that cheeky professionalism of his will be greatly missed. I was not the only associate to receive the Scott treatment. His associate total amounts to two hundred over the years. Again please join me in expressing our thanks to these colleagues and again if any reader feels that they can offer some time to the group in anyway please talk to me or a fellow committee member. Merry Christmas
Regards Steve Wright Group Chair
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~~~~~~~~ Editorial ~~~~~~~~ Hello, I’ve had a different dilemma for this edition. As the newsletter is now quarterly I have had quite a number of letters and potential articles sent to me, so I haven’t managed to get them all in. See Page 10 for the story about the cover picture See the back page for pictures of our members receiving their certificates. Are there any subjects that you would like to see covered in an article? Please keep the letters and articles coming.
Check out the dates for next year on Page 14.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas and safe driving in 2017
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
Secretary
Colin Snow
Treasurer
John Johnston
Membership Secretary Ken Carrington Website Editor Newsletter Editor
Terry Joyce
Events Organiser Publicity
John Stone
Training Officer
Pat Clements
Group Contact Committee Member
Dr Clifford Murira
Committee Member
John Ockmore
Committee Member Committee Member
Ken Howard Malcolm Kentish
Committee Member
Terry Hyland
Committee Member
Dagmar Hampton
Associates Co-ordinator & Chief Observer
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Scott Bannister
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A Century of Passes All good things come to an end and in the case of one of the Group’s hardest working observers that’s certainly the case. Gaynor Manthorpe has stepped down from her role as a senior observer having taken 100 associates through to test. That’s not counting the mock tests and assessments and Observer tests along the way. This number is way ahead of nearly all other observers the Group has had and is a remarkable achievement. Apart from the important work of Observing Gaynor has also served on committee and was one of the main assistants at many of our Driver Experience Days at Dunton, though with them she was assisted by her husband Alastair so she doesn’t get all the credit there. Our Group only succeeds to the extent that members are willing to give of their time and effort to make things happen so we should be very grateful to Gaynor for her help over the years and we wish her well in her other retirement pursuits. On a personal level I have very much valued Gaynor’s input over many years and I will miss her. Scott Bannister Chief Observer
Our Observers Are you interested in being an Observer? Contact Pat Clements Pat Clements
John Ockmore
Helen Jeffries
Graham Robson
Terry Joyce
Norman Smith
Dr Clifford Murira
John Tullett Rob Wise
Graham Lowe
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The Great British Brake Off Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry is the latest high-profile driver to take IAM RoadSmart’s Mature Driver Assessment. Mary was presented with her certificate for having completed the assessment by IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer Sarah Sillars in September at the Kop Hill Climb, a Buckinghamshire-based celebration of all things car and bike which raises tens of thousands of pounds for local charities. Mary has been an IAM RoadSmart member since the 1950’s, when she took an early version of the current Advanced Driver Course. In addition Paddy Hopkirk, winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally and internationally successful race and rally driver, was on hand both days of the Kop Hill Climb in his capacity of IAM RoadSmart Mature Driver Ambassador spreading the word about the organisation’s safe driving courses. Sarah said: “Mature drivers are statistically one of the safest age groups, but age-related changes can knock confidence. The assessment aims to give a mature driver the reassurance to continue driving happily into the future, while also ironing out any problem areas the assessor might spot.” Added Paddy: “It was great to be a part of Kop Hill Climb, meeting so many new and not-so-new friends! I always enjoy talking about the work of IAM RoadSmart and especially that driving doesn’t have to stop when you reach a certain age. “I have taken the Mature Driver Assessment myself and the Advanced Driver Course twice. So it shows whatever your level of driving experience, everyone can benefit from a helping hand.” Mary presented certificates of achievement to some of the IAM RoadSmart volunteers who worked on its stand over the weekend. Meanwhile Paddy took competition winners for high-speed runs up Kop Hill in a replica of his iconic 1964 race winning Mini Cooper. “I think a few people lost their fillings that day!” he said.
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Driver Experience Day A huge thanks to Chelmsford Group for an amazing day and allowing South of London Group to join in with the Skills Day at Dunton. A thoroughly enjoyable event and I would highly recommend the event to anyone, especially as you really gain a true perspective of what your car is capable of and what other cars are able to do, allowing this knowledge to be put into place once you are driving with the mainstream of road users. On a fine, dry, but a little overcast morning, approximately twenty of us, including six Marshalls, arrived for a 9.30am briefing at the Ford test track at Dunton. There are two tracks, one of which is a ‘rough road experience’ and the other, the one we used, is a one way lap track with banking at either end with a slip road leading onto it. The Marshalls directed us onto the track, one at a time, at intervals, having explained in detail, what was expected of us. They also briefed us all comprehensively, before each new skill session. Our exercises for the day consisted of, two slalom courses and a figure of eight, emergency stopping at 30, 40, 60 and 70 mph, in order to experience what happens when the ABS system is activated at these speeds. The slalom skill sessions tested our skill at driving, firstly, with 8 cones close together, using ‘pull push’ to go through slowly, decisively and precisely and secondly , with another set of 8 cones spaced more widely, using ‘hand over hand’ to complete the course more quickly but in both sessions, trying not to hit the cones or our car. The figure of ‘8’ skill test, was to assess our ability to understand the steering capability of our cars. The ABS skill test, which involved driving at 30, 40 and 60mph whilst negotiating the banking, then continuing in a straight line to a marker bollard, where we had to brake sufficiently in order for the ABS system to activate. The final ABS session, had us driving at 70mph to a marker bollard where a Marshall indicated whether we should steer to the left or right whilst braking sufficiently to activate the ABS system. These tests were to replicate having to negotiate a hazard, e.g. a car pulling out or stopping suddenly and braking appropriately. We were all given as many sessions as we felt necessary, in order to try to improve our skills and feel able and confident that we would be better equipped to deal with hazardous situations should they arise. I certainly felt much more competent after three sessions. The whole day was serious but with a ‘fun’ aspect and was very well organised. We were all made to feel that we had achieved a great deal and would be more aware of exactly what activating ABS, should the need ever arise, would feel like and how this effective device is when deployed in other cars therefore, knowing how one should react if other cars are inevitably having to trigger this resource. On a personal note, I had a very interesting and enjoyable day. It was both informative on a practical and theoretical level and was definitely a good decision on my part to attend. I am just waiting for the next opportunity to improve my skills. The day ended at approximately 2.30pm after an informative debrief. Roger Rye Member: South of London Group Page 11
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Advanced Driver For many of you it may have been years since you looked at the theory of Advanced Driving. I am sharing the new logbook issued to new members that join the group. The Advanced Driver Course Logbook continued
IPSGA Information, Position, Speed, gear and Acceleration—the system at the core of Advanced Driving
The purpose of IPSGA is to promote safety and prevent collisions by encouraging drivers to adopt a systematic approach to any hazard. In this case a hazard is “anything which contains an element of actual or potential danger” With the exception of ‘Human Factors’, IPSGA runs like a spine through the entire Advanced Driving course. It promotes careful observation, accurate anticipation and planning (OAP), good communication with other road users and the smooth application of a vehicle’s controls. A driving plan is made on a combination of what can be seen, what cannot be seen and the circumstances that can reasonably be expected to develop. These are qualities that any advanced driver should be able to demonstrate. More detail on each stage follows.
In summary: On approach to any hazard, each stage of IPSGA should be considered in sequence. As circumstances change and new information becomes available, the system can be revisited at the appropriate stage.
Information Gather and process relevant information in order to make accurate decisions about driving. Communication is also important as clearly conveying intentions allows for road space to be shared more effectively with other users This stage is key, as it informs all other stages Position Position vehicle appropriately in all traffic situations Speed Travel at the appropriate speed in all traffic situations Gear Select the appropriate gear for the chosen speed in all traffic situations Acceleration Apply the appropriate degree of acceleration to leave any hazard safely Continued on Page 13
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Advanced Driver continued
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Dates for 2017 Monday 9th January
The changing face of Basildon over the last 150 years
Tuesday 17th January
Committee Meeting
Monday 13th February
Murder, its investigation and the use of forensic science.
Peter Whent DABS Forensic Ltd
Monday 13th March
Ex Police Crime Commissioner and road safety
Nick Alston
Tuesday 21st March
Committee Meeting
Monday 3rd April 1 week earlier than normal
Regional Service Delivery Team Manager S.E. IAM RoadSmart
Pete Doherty
Monday 8th May
Group Night
TBA
Tuesday 16th May
Committee Meeting
Monday 12th June
Group Night
TBA
Monday 17th July 1 week later than normal
Group Night
TBA
Tuesday 18th July
Committee Meeting
Monday 14th August
Group Night
TBA
Monday 11th September
Group Night
TBA
Tuesday 19th September
Committee Meeting
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Ken Porter
Issue 120
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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40 Years 0f Road Safety I have decided that it is time for me to retire as an IAM examiner. Several factors have influenced me but I guess the main reason is that I reach the grand age of 70 in January (what age is it when you meet someone and tell them how old you are?). Anyway I felt that a younger person should fill my shoes. I have spent over 40 years involved in road safety one way or another, my main motivation was to try to pass on some of my experience in the hope that driving standards improved and less were injured or killed. I first got involved in the IAM about 35 years ago when I was a motorcycle examiner with the RAC/ACU training scheme in Redbridge. Having passed my IAM test I helped start a group with two IAM examiners and I had a fantastic time as a chief observer. Groups were not really about as such, our group was ongoing training from the RAC/ACU scheme encouraging riders to improve their riding skills. Of course there was not an IAM F1RST so I gained a ROSPA Gold. In the early years I was also an instructor and examiner for the Essex schools cycle training schemes, something I really enjoyed. Later as a police traffic officer I helped to run classes for Essex County Council’s schools “Roadrunner” schemes designed for 16 year old pupils about to embark on driving. Some time ago, when I was stationed at the Essex Police Brentwood Traffic unit I took the Chelmsford group chief observer, Mike Corbett, out on my motorway traffic patrol. I always thought my driving to be fairly ordinary until I read Mike’s report and his complimentary comments about my high speed driving, I realised how lucky I was to have been class 1 trained and the experience gained from numerous driving courses. I was lucky to be trained by one of the best police driving schools in the country, Essex police. I even made an appearance in IAM “Milestones”. My stardom didn't end there, I made several appearances on the BBC John Craven Newsround with the TV doctor going to schools and educating the children in road safety. I have always been passionate about road safety probably because of the horrendous crashes I have dealt with in the past, unnecessary deaths and injuries and the fact most of these collisions involved decent people.
Continued on Page 17
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40 Years of Road Safety continued
As an examiner I had a great time carrying out numerous tests, the exact number is unknown as the IAM records seem to have been lost since being computerised (DTE), but I guess it’s over 700. I have had the pleasure of testing many Chelmsford group members. Out of the dozens of tests I have carried out one stands out in my mind. Your group trained a BBC Essex presenter, the late Alison Hartley, her test was broadcast on a BBC road safety programme. I think Gaynor was the observer, anyway just before we started Alison switched on the recording machine on I froze, I was lost for words, something my friends and some of you will say is unknown. Second attempt proved better!
Following my retirement from the police I was self-employed working for the Highways Agency training their HATO motorway officers on motorway safety. I also worked as an instructor on speed awareness courses, the course which motorists elect to take instead of points (lower speed limit infringements). One of the main things which stands out from the speed awareness courses is the lack of awareness and knowledge the “average” driver has, quite worrying really. Spare time now involved with grandchildren and my garden railway, yes I drive my own steam engine, bit different from fast bikes and cars! So there you go, a potted history of an examiner and long-time IAM member. I must say it has been a pleasure conducting tests for your group and I note the high standards you have maintained. Thanks for your efforts and making my time as an examiner a pleasure. Derek Wheddon
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Bird’s Eye View Hallo again. Your correspondent has been rather busy in other places lately but thankfully has got over a small problem in a supermarket car park which resulted in a couple of broken teeth and a lot of the red stuff! I'm writing this a week into November and winter has arrived with a vengeance. Funny how we Brits are so surprised when it turns cold - it's winter for goodness' sake and some of us are old enough to remember what it was like to have to wrap up like Eskimos to drive anywhere because car heaters were, to say the least, primitive. And now on to Christmas - last year, my Lord and Master and I spent Christmas Day on our own and shock horror, had egg and chips for lunch, saving the turkey for boxing Day. Chips have never tasted that good before or since! Perhaps we'll have the chance to do it all again this year and then we can have a family day on Boxing Day. Have a very happy Christmas, drive safely and well and don't eat too much turkey and pudding. Susan Sweetland. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More sunshine…more glare time While any amount of sunshine is welcomed at this time of year, the glaring low winter sun is taking no prisoners. In 2015 dazzling sun was a factor in over 2,500 crashes including 17 fatalities. Even though we have many tools that aid in protecting us from the glare, we often forget to use them. This week’s tips give advice on how to stay safe on the road with the glare of the sun on rampage, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman. Keep your windscreen clean both inside and out. Dirt or salt residue will magnify the effect of the sun On the outside check for chips or cracks, replace worn wiper blades and make sure your washer bottle is kept well topped up with good quality screen fluid strong enough to avoid freezing Keep a cloth or chamois to wipe away the dirty film that builds up on the inside due to screen heating and condensation Use your sun visor. It may sound pretty standard but a surprising number of people forget Invest in polarized sunglasses and remember to take a rest. Your eyes will strain quickly if you are squinting Slow down and leave extra space between you and the driver ahead if you are dazzled. This will give you more time to regain full control and assess the situation. Richard said: “Low winter sun may not deliver a useful tan but a clear view of the road ahead is vital if you are going to get through the winter as safely.”
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Deflectometer Last Sunday we encountered the HA "Traffic Speed Deflectometer" on the A12 Colchester bypass. This technique consists of a road maintenance vehicle driven at a constant 60 mph in the outside lane of a dual carriageway and requiring all traffic to use lane 1 to go past it. As we know, the A12 on a quiet Sunday morning is typically occupied by two sets of motorists - a group travelling around 55-60 mph and another group around 75-80 mph. This vehicle caused mayhem as a bunch of Sunday drivers and some of the most impatient drivers in Britain had to work out what to do and how to interact with each other and with this vehicle. In particular, I noticed a near collision on the 3-lane section between Eight Ash Green and Colchester South when cars in lanes 1 and 3 chose the same spot on the middle lane at the same time. We travelled from about half a mile before Eight Ash Green to the new junction at Colchester football ground to pass this thing, sitting in lane 1 with three or four cars ahead of us, while one fast vehicle after another (including the white van in my first photo) barged past and cut in. Let us remember, the A12 has a 40 mph speed limit at Witham, average speed cameras at Kelvedon and in Suffolk, and even without these features we know that excessive speed has never been a problem on this road. This is a rolling road block where there is no hazard. It would have been easier if the HA could use a vehicle capable of 70 mph, but with some cars in lane 1 actually slower than its 60 mph and being passed by everything, this must be one of the most dangerous pieces of traffic management anyone has dreamt up so far. Richard Gawler See
http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/projects/traffic-speed-deflectometer-tsd-scheme-level-development/
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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. Thank you for the opportunity to say a few words. Let me state unequivocally that I found the whole driving experience excellent and would certainly recommend it to others. The course certainly ironed out all my years of bad driving habits. I feel that I have gone from a steering wheel assistant to a steering wheel manager. First and most of all I would like to thank George Locker for his patience and encouragement. I like to think we had a good rapport that helped me through the course even my husband Steve now says, “What would George say� when he makes a mistake. I would also like to thank Scott for his slapped wrist when I was trying to change gear too soon. The IAM has been a good wake up to driving excellence. Thank you Anne Thaw ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Scott, I didn't realize what bad driving habits I'd picked up over the years until I took the I.A.M. course with John as my observer. Thanks to him, he made it a very enjoyable experience that I looked forward to each week, especially as I'm aware that several of my age group, mainly women, seem to be losing confidence in driving long distances, night driving etc. I actually look forward to driving and it's helped me to encourage the grandchildren to drive more safely as they seem to be taught just enough to get them through the driving test. Also I want to say a big thankyou to Derek Wheddon who took me out on my initial observation assessment and then the actual test and put me at my ease. Regards, Chris Swallow.
More on Page 21
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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, I am writing as I have just passed my IAM test, thanks to the help and guidance given by my excellent observer Scott Bannister. I really enjoyed my observed drives; as Scott will attest to, as I kept coming back for more of his entertaining routes even after he told me I was ready to take the test! I learnt a huge amount and my partner and friends tell me that they can see the improvement in my driving. Pat Clements took me out for the mock test and passed on some more useful tips as well as preparing me for the ‘real thing’. My test examiner was Mark Wilson, who I found to be very approachable and professional; he made the experience as easy as it could be for me. I have already recommended the IAM course to two older women; one who overheard me telling someone about it and said she had been wondering about doing it but hadn’t been sure what was involved. The other lady then said that she would like to do it as, whenever she drives, her husband just sits there criticising. I also enjoyed the Dunton test track day - although driving towards someone at 60 mph was terrifying! It was really good to see what the car could do in a safe environment; I hadn’t done an emergency stop since I learnt to drive in a Morris Minor so that was a very educational experience and has given me the confidence that I could safely stop if I needed to in an emergency. I’m looking forward now to the skid pan experience day…! With many thanks to Scott, Pat and the Chelmsford IAM group. Kind regards, Carole Gray ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I wanted to become a better, safer driver, and taking the advanced course has enabled me to do that in a very practical way. I really appreciate the time and effort that my Observer, George Locker, put in to assist me in passing the test, his mentoring was invaluable - thanks again George! Thanks Rupert Holmes Page 21
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The Warren Classic and Supercar Show Pat, Norman, Malcom and self recently enjoyed a good day at The Warren Golf Club. No, we are not converts to the noble game though I did feel that the appearance of both Norman and Malcom could have been improved by the addition of plus fours in a discreet Scottish tweed.. We were there to promote IAM ROADSMART, and to that end we were making a first run out with our magnificent gazebo/tent in the new blue livery. Pat had shown great determination in her quest for this structure ---- what Pat wants she generally gets! So it came about that we found ourselves grappling with assorted bags and boxes on a cold and windy morning at a golf club. This was when Pat and I kept very quiet and Malcom and Norman showed up as rugged veterans of the camping fraternity. They quickly made sense of the pile of gear. We were told hold this, put your weight on that. The weight bit was where I came in useful. Push, pull, and find odd bits and pieces.. If not immediately obvious, said bits and pieces could always be found in Norman’s waggon …. quite amazing…..do his family have to run behind we ask? They certainly wouldn’t fit inside. Having succeeded in our task, and with leaflets and freebies ready to distribute, we found time before the general public arrived to have a look around us and to chat to the neighbours in our area of the ground. These neighbours included the largest bouncy castle you have ever seen, two bright young things from Essex Radio who thought IAM an excellent idea and that it might be a good thing to join, the man next door whose stall must have contained every screw, bracket, hose, cable and small part known to man. He was also wise when it came to the finer points of tent erection. There was also a beautiful little Sopwith Pup, biplane, and a first world war ambulance complete with a rather stern lady in appropriate uniform. Does had sent a couple of their largest tractors, and I mean large. They were parked next to a couple of miniscule buggies who in turn were parked next to one of the most interesting items in the show – the Nua 3000 horsepower dragster which I watched as it was gently manoeuvred from its huge double trailer onto the grass where it stood king of all it surveyed, waiting to be fired up later in the day---the roar was quite something. I digress, the public had begun to arrive for their day out at The Warren Classic and Supercar Show. Everything was there from previously mentioned dragster to a frail and elderly Austin 7 which was so many people’s first car or memory of same. There were stately Rolls, mighty Bentleys, and rescued classics of every sort. Not only were these wonderful machines there but they came complete with their servants who, dusters hand, would tell their audience every intimate detail of their charges behaviour, their foibles and their joys, their moments of triumph---did you say Monte Carlo -- and their failure to complete The Brighton Run. The cars were divided into different classes for the purpose of competition. These included Pre war Saloons, Post War ditto, Sports Racers not licenced for road use, Post War 2 seater sports, Supercars – any marque or year, American Classics, and classic motorcycles. Continued on Page 23
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Issue 120
The Warren Classic and Supercar Show continued
Live entertainment included:- Inch Perfect, motorcycle stunt team, Pat relived her youth watching their performance. She also learnt to take a mean photograph of grass. We also enjoyed Blades Air Display Team--- Four planes doing a Red Arrows style show. They were really excellent as they roared and soared above us, only to appear sometimes trailing their plumes of coloured smoke and then disappearing behind the trees only to reappear from an unexpected direction with what seemed an extra loud roar, their wings glinting in the late afternoon sunshine. This was real precision flying of the first order. All good things come to an end. For our end the sun had come out and we were able to relax and enjoy the beautiful parkland background to the show as we packed away the gear. Lessons learnt –we would like to have been more busy. We felt our rather isolated position was possibly the part cause. We also felt we needed much more of a pictorial nature to appeal to peoples curiosity It was surprising how little people knew about us, if anything at all. They certainly didn’t equate improving their driving with having fun. P.S. How could I forget to mention our proximity to the beer tent, not to mention the serried ranks of blue tardises ( tardae ) ?? That pass for toilet facilities. Dagmar Hampton
Photo by Pat Norman, Malcom and Dagmar promoting IAM RoadSmart and our group Page 23
Chelmsford Advanced Motorists
Issue 120
The Warren Classic and Supercar Show
Congratulations Here are some of our successful members receiving their certificates. Here is Anne Thaw receiving her certificate. Chairman Steve Wright on the left and Observer George Locker on the right. Let me state unequivocally that I found the whole driving experience excellent and would certainly recommend it to others. First and most of all I would like to thank George Locker for his patience and encouragement. I like to think we had a good rapport that helped me through the course even my husband Steve now says, “What would George say� when he makes a mistake.
. Here is Rupert Holmes receiving his certificate from Chief Observer Scott Bannister. I wanted to become a better, safer driver, and taking the advanced course has enabled me to do that in a very practical way. I really appreciate the time and effort that my Observer, George Locker, put in to assist me in passing the test, his mentoring was invaluable - thanks again George! Thanks Rupert
Anne