Latest News

An interactive evening to talk through some 'interesting' features of our local roads. A panel from WHAM’s senior training team are ready to talk through any road layout features, traffic issues or behavioural problems.

To make it more interesting we want you to tell us what’s bugging you: That ridiculous new box junction? Aggressive drivers shutting you out when filtering? Why on earth is all that road paint there? Will snowchains help in the deep midwinter?

Mail our Chairman with your issue and we will be dissecting a “Big Issue” or two in the April Natter.

WHAM's summer tour this year is to the Ardennes.
Part of a huge limestone massif which extends from France through Belgium and Luxembourg to Germany the Ardennes has both geological and historic interest. From the romantic river and castles of the Semois, to the industrial navigation of the Meuse, and the moorlands of the Haute Fagnes the Ardennes has something for everyone – and the roads aren’t bad either!

This year we are staying in Belgium, very close to the Luxembourg border. Accommodation is limited so if you think you may be interested see here for more details.

The IAM have just announced two Motorcycle Skills days at Mallory Park - Thursday 15th April and Thursday 21st October.

Bookings can be made through the IAM website or on the following forms: Bike , Car

32 members and their guests attended WHAM's Christmas Dinner, held at the Falcon on Friday 11th December. The conversation was lively from the start and positively effervescent after one or two glasses of wine!
Good company, good food, and the same old Christmas cracker jokes - what more could we want?!

Three test pass certificates were presented to Simon King, David Thursfield and Richard Booth.
This year WHAM has helped 33 bikers to achieve Advanced level - well done to all of them and thanks to the Observers who make it possible.

David Thursfield - IAM test pass
David was observed by Paul Whitcombe

Richard Booth - IAM test pass
Richard was observed by Richard Smith

Simon King - IAM test pass
Simon was observed by John Hodges

The Group AGM will be held at the Falcon Hotel, Bromyard, on Wednesday 27th January 2010,
the AGM will start at 8.00 p.m. Prompt.

The purpose of the AGM is to review the events and finances of the past year, and to elect the new committee for the forthcoming year. All full members and associates are invited to attend but only paid-up full members of the Institute and the Group may vote. (Those who have passed their Advanced Test)

Please read the AGM Notice, Agenda and last year's Minutes for more information

NOTE: we need someone for the new role of Vice Chairman

At the September Club meeting Dave Jones, our guest speaker, presented certificates to recent IAM test passes and Group qualified Observers, as follows:

Guy Butcher - Group qualified Observer
Guy was trained by John Hodges

Mac Gasking - IAM test pass
Mac was observed by Eric Reynolds

Phil George - Group qualified Observer
Phil was trained by Eric Reynolds

Martyn Newman - IAM test pass
Martyn was observed by Steve Edwards

Last Monday, 14th September, I was invited to spend the day with Motorcycle Folly at the Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire. Motorcycle Folly is a not-for-profit company which has been organising track days for some 20 years - the experience shows!

Never having been on a "proper" track day I didn't know quite what to expect but two of our members, Steve and Barb Dalloway, are regular participants at Folly events and, as they are not noted for their lunatic behaviour, helped to convince me to try it.

The day was well organised, safe and thoroughly enjoyable. The participants ranged from "virgins" like me on a road bike to some seriously fast track bikes arriving on trailers with enough wheels, tyres, etc.for a BSB or WSB round. Folly are very good in separating the slower and perhaps more nervous participants from those 'serious' guys (with the advantage I could be a spectator too!). Folly also have on hand instructors to provide advice on improving the technique or problem solving for specific corners of the circuit.

For a full article see the next Newsletter. Motorcycle Folly's website is available here, and on our Links page.

Derek