Forward Vision Edition 111 April 2015

The Newsletter of Chelmsford Advanced Motorists

www.iamchelmsford.org.uk

Issue 111 April and May 2015 IAM Group 7223 Registered Charity No 1059372

What’s that smell?

Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 111

Congratulations

Here are some of our successful members receiving their certificate from our Chairman Scott Bannister

I'd decided that my wife was right - I wasn't the best driver in the world, and that I would finally do some-thing about getting advanced driv-ing lessons. I wish I'd done it years ago. Not only was it much cheaper than I expected - and certainly far less expensive than getting to the required standard for the last driving test I'd taken, 25 years ago - it was hugely enjoyable and of course educational, and I can't thank my Observer, Gaynor, enough, for her time and advice. I've always been keen to spend time behind the wheel, but extended periods left me feeling tense and drained. Now I ar-rive relaxed and ready for anything.

Tony Foster

"I thoroughly enjoyed my observed drives with Terry Joyce and would like to say thank you for his encouragement and guid-ance in helping me to pass my test."

Neil Howard


Associates, Full Members & Guests Welcome

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.

Make a note in your diary and please be there!

http://www.essexexplorer.co.uk/cam.kmz

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 appli-cation form. The information will be used solely for the Group’s administration purposes and will not be passed to any third party.

CM2 6DS

http://goo.gl/maps/VrEwi

Date Topic Speaker

Monday 11th May

Essex Crimestoppers Presentation Stuart Walins

Monday 8th June

Hospital Radio Chelmsford Graham Medhurst


to our new Associate and Full Members.

We look forward to seeing and talking to them at our monthly Group nights

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

David Howard Eastwood James Howard Rayleigh

Richard Rearman Doddinghurst Larry Foley Chelmsford

Penelope Bann Little Braxted Vici Royle Chelmsford

Daniel Conway Halstead Jake Newman South Woodham Ferrers

Mark Woolerton Braintree Alan Shaw Witham

Justin Flindall Terling Graham Newman South Woodham Ferrers

Electronic Newsletter

It was agreed by the Committee that all new members would receive their copy of

Forward Vision electronically. This is because the cost of printing it and postage is our

group’s largest expense. Existing members will continue to receive a hard copy un-

less they wish to receive it electronically.

Please let me know if you change your email address.

Welcome


Please remember: Do telephone both your Observer and Scott Bannister ( Associates Co-ordinator ) immediately after your test.

Congratulations to these latest Members of our Group

who have Passed

‘The Test’.

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.

Test No Name Test Date Observer

1044 Norman Smith 14th February Scott Bannister

1045 Ben Waterman 15th March Clifford Murira

1046 Freddie Whitten 30th March Scott Bannister

See page 2 & 23 for photos of our members receiving their certificates.

Roll of Honour


From the Chairman Well, Spring has sprung and our thoughts turn to laying down stocks of suntan lotion for the coming heat-wave – or in my case, to batten down the hatches to avoid too much of that sun. Actually I quite like a bit of warmth – just not too much. Two things to report to you. Firstly, I am now the proud possessor of a dash-cam. The justification for buying this was that the resultant footage would be able to be used to fuel a discussion at a group night where myriad examples of good/bad behaviour on the road could be witnessed and commented upon by the assembled masses. As all the men out there will know, when it comes to buying new toys it is of critical im-portance that some vague kind of justification be put forward to account for why the purchase is practically vital to the survival of the human race. Well, it hasn’t gone well so far. Since fitting said camera I can report that absolutely nothing has happened in front of me worthy of the slightest note. The camera has created a bubble of good-ness around the front of the car. There has been the occasional noteworthy situation happening behind but my camera doesn’t face that way so cannot send out its beams of ‘goodness’ in that direction. I don’t know whether to be pleased or not. I’ve obvious-ly failed to get any viewing material but on the other hand I am safer !! Second thing to report is that the AGM is coming up at the July Group night. Now obviously you will all be marking the calendar and counting off the days till you can come along and take part in a fun-filled evening. But though the AGM on its own would be enough of a draw, we have sweetened the pot even more by securing the speaking services of the new Chief Executive of the IAM – Sarah Sillars. So come along and find out where the IAM is going. With a bit of luck it might even coincide with where our Group is going, but you never know…….and I promise the AGM bit won’t take any more than 10 minutes – 5 if I can manage it.

Scott Bannister


Please contact me

by email at

[email protected]

~~~~~~~~ Editorial ~~~~~~~~

Terry Joyce

Hello,

For information about the picture on the front cover see Page 12 &13.

I was saddened to hear from Claire Lambert that her Father, Fred Lambert

had died and then I read the rest of the letter that she sent on how

advanced driving had made a difference to his and her lives.

A heartwarming and pertinent story as we drive towards old age. You can

read it on pages 14 & 15.

There have been some interesting Test Passes recently. The first you can

read about is on page 9. Pat Clements, one of our Observers took a new

qualification brought in by the IAM for Observers.

Also on page 22 Norman Smith who took his Caravan Towing Test.

Thank you to those of you that have contributed to this edition. Please

keep the letters and articles coming.

There are the dates for next year on Page 16.

Many Thanks to Sue Sweetland for her patient and educated assistance in

producing this Newsletter.


Our Group Enquiry number: - 07757 399897

Honorary Life Members Mr Mike Corbett, Mr Glyn Jarrett, Mrs Ruth Jarrett, Mr Dave Travers, Mr Colin Snow.

Group contact information

Chairman Associates Co-ordinator & Chief Observer

Scott Bannister 01245 468912

[email protected]

Secretary Steve Wright

Treasurer John Johnston

Membership Secretary Ken Carrington

Website Editor Jon Ward

Newsletter Editor Terry Joyce 01268 785674 [email protected]

Events Organiser Sally Langley

Publicity John Stone

Group Contact Susan Sweetland

Committee Member Dr Clifford Murira

Committee Member John Ockmore

Committee Member Ken Howard

Committee Member Malcolm Kentish

Committee Member Selva Seeni

Committee Member Anthony Shilson

Committee Member Norman Smith

Committee

Observer Examiner Gaynor Manthorpe


On a very cold. frosty and snowing Saturday morning (7.45 am ) I made my way to

the Police sports ground at Chigwell to meet 6 other IAM members who had applied

to take the National Observer Qualification test.

Three examiners arrived just before 9.00am and after introductions and a friendly

chat I was allocated to go out with Trevor.

The first part of the test was for Trevor to drive his own car and for me to observe

him as you would do in a normal IAM run. He did a moving brake test and by the

time we came to the end of the drive (200 yds.) I realized what an excellent driver he

was. The drive lasted about 45 mins. with me discussing his "faults" and "mistakes"

and commenting on them.

Returning to the car park I de briefed on his drive and suggested that he was nearly

test ready !! He then chatted about my observing.

We then transferred to my car as he wanted a demo, drive. After the usual com-

ments about what I would be doing I started with a moving brake test. I was asked to

give a commentary for most of the drive. Again the drive lasted about 45 mins. Fol-

lowed by a de brief on the return.

During this chat he casually mentioned that I had passed, WOW!

I can honestly say that I enjoyed the runs and learnt a lot from Trevor who was ex-

tremely pleasant and a fair examiner. Thank you Trevor.

I learnt later that three of the seven members taking the test failed for various

reasons.

If any observer is thinking of taking the test and I could help please phone me.

Two weeks after the test I received an e mail report of the runs.

Several observers completed the senior test some years back so try this one.

The IAM is trying to bring an overall standard of observing over the country

Pat Clements

National Observer Qualification


Those of you who read this nonsense I write every couple of months will know that I don’t often have the opportunity to praise a company but this time I do. Hooray for Prudential!

At around 12.15 on the morning of Sunday 8th March we were coming home from church and to cut a long story short, another driver pulled out of a junction on our left without looking properly. The Master Of The House was driving and just for a change, I wasn’t taking much notice of what was going on (I’m not the ideal passenger, I’m afraid) so the first I knew was seeing the M.O.T.H. steer hard right, and hearing the bang. The front bodywork of the other vehicle, a very old Berlingo, more or less ex-ploded, leaving debris over a large area of road surface, so there had been a severe collision and it was fortunate that none of us was injured. Sir had managed to mini-mise the damage (well done him) to our car but both passenger doors were very deeply scratched, along with panels front and rear and the sill, and the lining of the front wheel arch came away. This is the moment, I can tell you, when you wonder what the car is worth and the dreaded word ‘write-off’ begins to haunt you!

I spent 35 minutes talking to Pru on the phone the next day – no more claim forms or little drawings of the scene – and waited. By lunchtime there had been a call from the Repairers, almost apologising for not being able to pick up the car until Wednesday. When they took the Focus away, they left me a little black Ford KA to play with and ten days later on Friday 20th, the car was brought back, beautifully repaired and pol-ished.

So, let’s hear it for Prudential and Lookers at Colchester: Hip, Hip . . . . . .

Happy Easter.

Susan Sweetland

Our Observers Ron Adams

Scott Bannister

Pat Clements

Philip Cooper

Paul Crosby

Jamie Drummond

Tony Hawes

Helen Jeffries

Terry Joyce

Rob Laird

George Locker

Graham Lowe

Gaynor Manthorpe

Dr Clifford Murira

John Ockmore

Graham Robson

Roger Spall

Lawrence Tattersall

John Tullett

Mark Warbey

Brian Williams

Rob Wise

A Bird’s Eye View


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.

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 pri-vate land before they go on the public Highway.

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

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 £40 which covers registration and the first one hour lesson. Subsequent lessons cost £25. 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

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

[email protected]


Roadcraft

Observation Links

The next part of Chapter 4 covers is observation links. Roadcraft states that observation links are clues to physical features and likely behaviour of other road users. Aim to build up your own stock of observation links. These will help you to anticipate situations that might develop.

As advanced drivers we need to build up a list of scenarios that could possibly hap-pen. The question we should ask ourselves is ‘what if’…...? If we come up with lots of these scenarios we are pre-programming our brains so that if something happens, our brain will grab the right one and we will be able to predict or respond to whatever is happening much quicker.

The picture on the front cover demonstrates an observation link or two. Firstly is the pile of Horse Pooh or Equine Defecation, try saying that in a commentary. This should conjure up a picture of a horse just around the left hand bend. So at this point we need to know what is behind us so that if we do come across that horse we can deal with it easier. If there is a vehicle behind you, depending on your speed it may be worth giving them information by using light braking to warn them you are slowing, so that if you do meet the horse or horses you have already started to prepare yourself and the vehicle behind. I mentioned smell on the front cover but it is unlikely that you would be able to smell the pile of pooh but if there is a stable in the vicinity you may get smells from their dung heap. And to seal the deal there is the Accompanied Hors-es warning sign. Usually there will be an entrance within 100 yards that horses may come out of.

This picture has got some obvious clues for you, bins, recycling and dustbins. From this you should envisage that you could possi-bly meet a dustcart but the other thing that you could look at is that the recycling bins are upside down, so the it may be more likely that the dustcart will be ahead on your side of the road. You could also imagine that you could meet dustcarts on both sides of the road, unlikely but possible.

In this picture you can see that the verges have been chewed up, probably by heavy vehicles. It is therefore possibly we are going to meet one as we go around that right hand bend. There are no white lines, so it is likely that the vehicle may be coming around the bend partly on our side of the road. Thinking about this will help you to assess the speed that you want to go into the corner at, so you will be prepared.

Continued on Page 13


Roadcraft/Observation Links continued

What is our observation link in this picture?

I think that the white line finishing should flag a warning to you that the road is nar-rowing. You should be able to assess that by looking at the bend as you approach but the line or lack of line gives you plenty of warning. Like the last picture, you should expect any vehicles coming around the corner to be partly on our side of the road.

If you were driving towards this sign it would start to be readable from around 150 yards and at that distance when I ask an Associate to tell me what the sign is, 99% of them say roundabout. I have taken this close up to highlight the use of these signs as an observation link. Like most pictures it tells a story. Firstly you have a T junction before the roundabout. Then it shows each exit on the roundabout

and gives an indication of the width of the road. For instance exit one is smaller than the other exits. Here is a picture of the sign and roundabout from the air. There are lots of other observation links. Here are a few of them. A river running beside the road,

Expect Bridges over the river and sharp bends. A motorway off ramp.

Expect an on ramp in approximately ¼ mile. A line of lamp posts in the distance or a group of dwellings. Expect a speed regulatory sign

From Roadcraft with comments by Terry Joyce


A Driving Story Hello Terry. You mentioned in your booklet that you would like people that have just passed the

test to say a few words about their experience and to thank their observers. I won-

der if you would like something from an older member.

My father was in his late seventies when he passed his advanced motoring test in

2001, this still taught him a lot and gave him confidence although he had been driv-

ing for many decades, his first car had a running board!. I’m the little one in the wel-

lies and I’m 60 this year so it was a long time ago. He was still driving everyday until

he became ill and died a month later at the age of 92. Getting out and about every-

day kept him active, independent and interested in life and I believe the advanced

motoring lessons gave him the knowledge and confidence to still do this safely at

92.

He not only found the driving lessons helpful but enjoyed them very much.

Continued on Page 15


Continued.

An unexpected bonus of this experience was his new respect for women, could a

woman possible teach him something he did not already know?, he was a terrible

male chauvinist, bless him, but this all changed when he was taught by Gaynor. So

thank you Gaynor, as his daughter this also changed my relationship with my father.

A small part of my job involved driving other people’s children around and I felt that I

owed it to the children and their families to be the safest driver I could possibly be so I

also took the lessons and passed the test. I was taught by Paul, a very pleasant

young man who made the experience very enjoyable. Thank you Paul, from myself,

and on behalf of all the children who got safely to their destinations.

Having high spirited children in the car can be very distracting when you are driving,

and your first impulse is to drive slower than normal, one of the things I learnt was

driving slowly is not the safest thing you can do as it causes other drivers to become

frustrated and take silly risks to overtake you, causing accidents, so you should drive

at the speed limit.

I also think it is important to provide everything possible to entertain children, chil-

dren’s songs and stories to listen to and comics, puzzle books and games for them to

do during the journey, and this allows you to concentrate on driving. It sounds obvious

but it was surprising to hear one of my male colleagues who always had the cricket

on the car radio, complaining because he had to keep stopping because the children

were playing up.

Thanks

Claire Lambert


Monday 11th May

Essex Crimestoppers Presentation Stuart Walins

Monday 8th June

Hospital Radio Chelmsford Graham Medhurst

Monday 13th July

AGM/IAM Chief Executive Sarah Sillars

Monday 10th August

Subject to be advised nearer the time. Clifford Murira

Monday 14th September

Director of EMG Driver Training High Performance Course UK Ltd

who is an Advanced Car Instructor & Trainer (Grade A), talks to us about his

role.

Eunan MacGuinness

Monday 12th October

Collision investigation & the litigation process and Wills.

Tony Carter & Andy Grant

Monday 9th November

Liaison officer between the Department for Transport and the Association of Chief

Police Officers Jeremy Moore OBE

Monday 14th December

Annual Christmas buffet & quiz night

These speakers have all been booked by Sally Langley. If you know of someone you think the group might like to hear, then please contact Sally on 07905 445249 or

email her at [email protected].

Dates for 2015

Please add them to your diary

August 23rd - Driver Experience Day

At Ford’s test track at Dunton (off the A127). Note it’s a test track, not a race track !! It’s about finding out how your car behaves when you push it slightly outside it’s normal boundaries in a completely safe environment. We do braking and steering exercises. Yes, I know that doesn’t sound very exciting but, as mentioned above, a smile is guaranteed. It’s an interesting track to drive round. Cost for this one is a minimum £15 – all of which goes to Essex Air Ambulance. Ford’s give us the use of the track for free and observers’ time is free so really it costs nothing…..but we might as well take the opportunity to make you make a charitable gesture !! The main IAM run track days along similar lines – they will cost you around £125, so ours is a bargain.

Scott

mailto:[email protected]


The Chelmsford & District Group of Advanced Motorists Annual General Meeting – Monday 13 July 2015.

The Group’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held at the Essex Police Sports & Social Club on 13th July 2015. The business will commence at 8pm and is expected to last for about 30 minutes. Agenda

1. Apologies for absence. 2. Minutes of the last meeting (AGM on 14 July 2014). 3. Matters arising from the Minutes. 4. Reports from the Chairman, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer. 5. Adoption of the Accounts. 6. Election of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee members. Any Other Business. Election of Group Officers & Committee Members Under rule 3.3.4 the following Group Officers retire:- Scott Bannister – Chairman Steve Wright– Group Secretary John Johnston – Treasurer Scott Bannister is NOT standing for re election either as Chairman or for the committee. Steve Wright is NOT standing for re election & John Johnston offers himself for re-election. Nominations for the positions of Chairman, Group Secretary and Treasurer are invited. Also under Rule 3.3.4 the following Committee Members retires by rotation and offer themselves for re-election:- Clifford Murira and Jon Ward. (Committee nomination form See Page 18) Nominations are invited from Full Members to stand for the Committee. The Nominee must be willing to stand for the Committee and sign the Nomination form. By signing the Nomination form, the Nominee is affirming his / her ability and intention, if elected, to attend Committee meetings regularly. All officers and one third of all other Committee Members must retire annually by rotation and may offer themselves for re-election by Group Full Members (Rule3.3). Please note: Those elected become Charity Trustees of the Group. You must not stand for Com-mittee if the law debars you from being a Charity Trustee. Only fully paid-up members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and of the Group may nominate Committee Members or be nominated as Committee Members. The nomination form must be returned to the Group Secretary (Steve Wright, 15 Elm Walk, Rayne, Braintree, Essex CM77 6ES) no later than 20 June 2013. Note: The number of Committee members including the officers must not exceed twenty.

PLEASE consider standing for the committee, we only meet 6 times a year. Steve Wright Group Secretary


Chelmsford & District Group of Advanced Motorists

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2014 held on 14 July At the Essex Police Sports & Social Club, Chelmsford, Essex

The meeting commenced at 19:45.

Welcome The meeting was opened and attendees were welcomed.

Apologies for absence - There were no apologies

Adoption of the Minutes. Minutes of the previous AGM were accepted as a true record.

Matters Arising There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

Reports from the Chairman, Secretary, Membership Secretary & Treasurer These were previously circulated and were accepted.

Accounts These were previously circulated. Acceptance of the accounts were proposed by Clifford Murira and seconded by Ken Howard. This was carried unanimously

A question was received from the floor querying the rationale of charging an entrance fee on group nights. The Chairman explained it was to sustain group funds and to compensate for not increasing the yearly fee (which is difficult with standing orders)

The members were asked if they had any ideas what we could spend funds on. The floor required clarification as to why it has to be road safety related. It was ex-plained this was in the memorandum and articles of the group.

It was suggested that advertising/publicity spend is increased. It was explained that this has been trialled with little success..

Election of Officers All officers were re-elected en bloc. Colin Snow proposed and Pat Clements se-conded. The vote was unanimous. The members were invited to join the Committee, Selva Seenivasagam, Malcolm Kentish, and Anthony Stilson agreed to stand. Don Abernathy proposed the nomi-nations and John Ockmore seconded. The vote was unanimous.

Any Other Business

There were no further questions and the AGM concluded at 9.07pm

Name Position Nominated by Seconded by Signature of Nominee


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 TSO Human Aspects of Police Driving Scottish Police College The Tyre Digest (2 copies) 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? IAM Traffic– Why we drive the way we do Tom Vanderbilt Boreham, A History of the Racing Circuit 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 Scott Bannister


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.

Hello, “I would like to thank Clifford for all his patience, guidance and time. I really enjoyed our drives, particularly getting the bends just so. The test was stress free but trying to maintain 100% concentration did tax the grey matter (and my vocal chords – com-mentary) somewhat. I’m glad to say that thanks to Clifford I passed.”

Regards Ben Waterman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My IAM experience so far, Was to improve the driving of my car. My Wife was the one to give me a push, Something to do with parking in a bush.

I need not have worried, The instruction was never hurried. "We'll take it at your pace", "For God's sake it's not a race !"

Encouraging comments from Graham Lowe, "Drive to the limit point & not too slow". He had the patience of a saint, Lesser mortals could be seen to faint.

There followed much gentle schooling, No time for idle banter nor for fooling. Serious stuff this driving lark, Roadcraft, IPSGA & how to park.

A mock exam was soon arranged, I met a Scotsman, slightly deranged. He seemed happy enough so onto the test, I knew I'd have to do my best.

Ninety minutes soon whizzed past, My commentary did just last. The examiner said "Congratulations. Well done.", It's given me back my driving fun. Alan Hatch

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I've always enjoyed driving and considered myself to be a good driver. Taking the Advanced Driving Test was something I'd always wanted to do, but just never got round to doing. When Scott came to Waitrose representing IAM, I thought if I'm ever going to do it now is the time. I enjoyed every minute of my drives with John and feel a lot better driver than I was. Working for John Lewis, I got a discount to take the course and have claimed half the cost back through my John Lewis leisure learning benefit. I have also changed my car insurance to the IAM policy and claimed my free years RAC membership too. So already by taking the lessons and passing the test I have made a profit. I will also get discounted car insurance and RAC membership in the future too. I look forward to taking part in more IAM events and attending our meetings at the Essex Police HQ in Chelmsford. I'd definitely recommend anyone who already enjoys driving and would like to take their driving skills to the next level to do the IAM course and become an Advanced Driver.

Charles Proctor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other Events

Hi there, Just to let you know – we have a busy Spring lined up so if you fancy any of the undermentioned, just let me know and I’ll put your name on the list.

April 25th – Skid Pan – learn how to cause a skid and then how to correct it. Train-ing is by ex-Essex police skid trainers and is done in their cars so no need to worry about bending your own. I know Winter is on its way out and the risk of skidding is much less but the lessons learned tend to stick with you. It’s about sensitising you to what a skid feels like and gives you a fighting chance of doing something about it as opposed to freezing with shock as many do. Cost of this one £45.

Driver Experience Day May 24th - FULL .

June 20th – 4x4 off-road course – I can’t pretend this one is terribly educational. If you find yourself off road then probably something pretty bad has happened and the ability to continue to drive in the countryside is probably not your main priority!! All I can say is, I’ve done it three times myself – have really enjoyed it. Find out how to have fun in a car at 2 mph – again, their cars, not yours. Can get a bit muddy, so old clothes required. Cost of this one £50.

Just for your info, I’m also thinking of organising a skid-pan part 2 course and a 4x4 part 2 course for people who have already done the ‘normal’ one. If that might inter-est you, once again let me know.

Scott

Letters & emails continued


It’s a F1rst But is it a Last

Hi All,

I thought I would put pen to paper and tell you all about the journey, of my Caravan

towing test.

It all started one February afternoon in 2014, I got a phone call from IAM HQ about

my membership renewal. I wasn’t sure I wanted to renew it, I was asked if there

was anything I wanted to do that would make me change my mind. I said I wanted

to do the Caravan towing test, Ok the lady on the end of the phone said I will sort

that for you!

STEP UP Scott Banister. Scott phoned to do the arrangements to meet at my home

address, to go for a drive. The day arrived and I must say we got off to a fine start ,

twelve fine ladies in Burlesque outfits came out of my house, my wife included.

Scott couldn’t believe his eyes. The drive went well except for the “bloody Caravan”

his words not mine. Well several drives later and a lot of fun up steps my Examiner

Scott Tulip.

Just before Christmas 2014 we made arrangements to speak in early January, the

problem being I couldn’t get the caravan out during the week only weekends.

January 10th came and so did a phone call from Mr Tulip to say he was transferring

to the North East and couldn’t take me for my test.

Back in box 1 until early February, then I got a call from Derek Wheddon and made

arrangement for 14th February, Yes Valentines Day, “how romantic”. At 9.15am,

the car and caravan were ready to go and Derek arrived, asked me some questions

and off we went. The result we all know was a pass with a first. I would have taken

some stick if the result had been any different, from my fellow caravaners as I am

well known for my towing and reversing ability. So I breath a sigh of relief at the

result.

Firstly I would like to thank Scott Bannister, my Observer, Pat Clements, for her

words of support and Derek Wheddon for passing me.

If anyone is interested in towing any kind of trailer and wants any tips or tuition, you

can always talk to me at group night, or

e-mail me at [email protected]. tel: 07768172739.

Norman Smith


Congratulations

Here are some of our successful members receiving their certificate from our Chairman Scott Bannister

Here is Pat Clements receiving her National Observer Qualification from Scott.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I would like to thank Scott Bannister, my Observer, Pat Clements, for her words of support and Derek Wheddon for passing me. Norman Smith

Forward Vision Edition 111 April 2015

Documents

Transcript of Forward Vision Edition 111 April 2015