News Archive (2008)

Congratulations to James, Guy and Steve; who have all passed their Senior Observer test.

A merry time was had by all at the recent WHAM Xmas dinner where Tony was presented for a certificate for sharing with us the most entertaining moment on our travels. Alison also received a very special award as well in case she can't swim..........

Click on a picture to view the gallery.

Congratulations to Jonathan Richards, observer Derek.

A general natter night was held with presentation certificates given to our latest full members (click on the thumbnail to view)

And of course Barbara reminded everyone about the Xmas dinner.

Having passed my IAM Advanced test some 8 years ago, I continued my training becoming a Senior Observer for the Worcester Bike Group; however, I've now been free riding with like minded individuals every Sunday morning for the last 15 months not doing any training or Observing whatsover.

Like everything else in life unless you continue to practise & maintain discipline standards fall, with this in mind I decided to take the RoSPA advanced test & in early 2008, after a number of lessons (didn't need many I'd been a Senior Observer!) with Dennis Osbourne, took my test. As far as I'm concerned made a total hash of it & only achieved a Silver award, having taken my ball home and sulked all Summer decided I was better than that & would take the test again. To this end I contacted Derek (your Chairman) & asked if he would take me out on some observed rides, three runs & several bollockings (sorry ladies!) later realised I'd made the right decision.

I took my test Monday morning 17th November; it was foul: drizzle, mist, spray real good biking weather!! Thanks to Derek's help & my own determination I'm pleased to say I got my Gold - a great sense of achievement. Never know may start observing again?

Thanks to Tony for the latest newsletter. Read it here

The bike show at the NEC is from 28th November to 7th December. Don't forget to visit the IAM stand.

PREVIEW DAY - 28TH NOVEMBER 2008 SHOW OPEN 9.00AM - 6.00PM
TICKET TYPE IN ADVANCE ON THE DOOR Adult £28.00 £28.00 Child £5.00 £5.00
PUBLIC DAYS - 29TH NOVEMBER - 7TH DECEMBER 2008 SHOW OPEN 10.00AM TO 6.00PM
TICKET TYPE IN ADVANCE ON THE DOOR Adult £15.00 £17.00
OXFORD SNUG PROMOTION
Includes Oxford SNUG worth £12.99 & Entry Ticket
Promotion closes 26th November at 5pm £18.00 Not Available

Autocom HomeAutocom are having a half price sale with both bluetooth kits and adaptors at up to half price. Contact your local Autocom dealer now (try Google!).

Ant gave a very entertaining presentation concerning the Worcester Road Safety Forum who have requested our opinions on all things motorcycling....... A lively debate took place and many good ideas were put forward for Ant to take back to the Forum. As a result of this a special club ride will be organised on Sunday November 16 with a view to gathering as much photographic evidence as possible of problematic road layouts, signage, parking facilities, etc., etc. so that we can present as full and balanced a set of recommendations as possible.

Following Ant's presentation a video clip was shown by Ken of a police chase.

Presentation Certificate were given to our latest full members (click on the thumbnail to view)

And of course Barbara reminded everyone about the Xmas dinner.

The Committee are delighted to announce that Ken Shaw has been appointed as the Group's Chief Observer.

Ken is both an IAM Senior Observer and a RoSPA Diploma holder. In addition he is one of the elite few who work with the Police in Bikesafe training events and a DSA registered Advanced Motorcycle trainer. He has a dubious past as a traffic cop too but we'll gloss over that!

Ken has been working with the Committee for some time and has some sensible comments that he would like to make about riding.

Tony Davis, WHAM!'s Newsletter editor, has beaten off all comers in the IAM's national Motorcycle awards for local Groups.

There are nearly 100 Motorcycle Groups nationally and Tony has won the award for "Best Group Newsletter". So he'll be needing a bigger crash helmet now!

On a rather grey and damp Saturday morning WHAM met the Air Unit staff, were briefed on Operations and treated to a detailed look at the helicopter, its observation and communications systems.

A full report in the next Newsletter - no doubt everyone went home with a clear appreciation of the Air Unit's capability!

Click on a picture to view the gallery.

Five bikes and nine very lucky people went on the Peaks tour, organised by Mark and Lynda Silvester. Using their local knowledge of the Peaks Mark and Lynda booked us in to the Yorkshire Bridge Inn just to the south of one of the main attractions - the famous Snake Pass.

Meeting on Friday at the Quatford bike stop near Bridgenorth we were impressed that most of the local constabulary were there to meet us. Something went amiss in the organisation here since the coppers forgot our VIP escort out of West Mercia - but since the sun shone we were not downhearted. We meandered up to the Peaks through Shifnal, Stone and Uttoxeter relying on more local knowledge; this time in the shape of Steve and Barb Dalloway. Lunch at Carsington Water found us just on the southern edge of the Peaks and slightly aghast to have to pay for the privilege of parking the bikes whilst we spent more money in the cafe for our lunch! ..buy hey ho, the sun was still shining.

A full report in the next Newsletter, including the 'Dawn Patrol', a report on the Yorkshire Bridge Hotel, the best of the motorcycling, the amphibious Hayabusa, and of course the Matlock Bath Bike meet!

Click on a picture to view the gallery.

Kris Arntzen (no photo available), observed by Ken Shaw.

Colin Storey (no photo available), observed by Guy Jenkins.

Guy Butcher (no photo available), observed by Cliff McFarlane and John Hodges

Phil George, observed by James Dickson.

With our thanks to Tony Davis your prize winning Newsletter Editor.

Click here to read all the exciting and latest news.

The Treasurer has asked for members to complete this form so that we're able to reclaim some of your hard-earned from the Inland Revenue. Please complete and pass to one of the Committee members - have the satisfaction of knowing a little of your tax is supporting a worthy cause!

When you complete one of these forms we can get a 28% increase in income from you without costing you an additional penny! You know it makes sense.

The IAM are about to increase annual membership fees with effect from 1st January 2009. We have had some advance warning from IAM House of what will be published in the next issue of the Advanced Driving magazine.

Like many businesses and charitable organisations the IAM have undertaken an extensive review of current operations and are making changes to reduce expenses. Nevertheless there is a pressing need for this increase. The current subscription will increase from £17.50 to £28 (for payment by direct debit).

A letter from David Kenworthy, IAM Chairman, is embedded here so that you can see the detailed rationale and background for yourselves.

The forecast was mercifully wrong and we had a very pleasant evening just above the banks of the Wye in the rolling Herefordshire countryside. The evening was put on through the kind generosity of our members Dean & Heidi Cardey in the village of Holme Lacey. The good weather brought out a good collection of bikes.... with just a few wimps in cars!

Dean volunteered to put this on as a benefit for MARS and Air Ambulance so we were treated to an excellent BBQ and (for all us blokes) the pleasure of watching someone else sweat over the barbie. New bikes on the scene too"! No, not Cliff, him changing a bike is not news any more! Michael Mable's graduated to a Transalp - " much more oomph, easy overtakes" and Alan Philpott claims to have bought a ZZRustbucket (but we suspect its on sale-or-return whilst he assesses the fuel consumption and tyre wear).

Dean and Heidi entertained us very well, thanks! Thanks also for the generosity of the members through whom it raised £200& for MARS/Air Ambulance.

Click on a picture to view the gallery.

An unpromising start to the day in Worcester - it had rained all night and was still miserable. A call from the Hereford contingent brightened our day with reports of dry weather and blue skies to the West. After meeting up for breakfast at Elan Valley we had to question their weather eye as we left in a downpour! Gradually the day improved and their stock recovered.

The roads were wet/dry/wet/dry etc. all the way out and we had a particularly exciting time on the road through Dyelife with all of us sliding around with modest application of throttle - so bad was it John Hodges was convinced he had a puncture! Our timing was not good for the last section into Aberdovey where the local Authority have been resurfacing: lots of loose grit continued the slip-sliding theme!

Eric demonstrated some advanced parking nestling Tony's exhaust into the Bandit's side fairing (I hope the exhaust didn't get scratched Tony). Lunch at the Britannia was accompanied by lots of mobile calls to check when pass-outs expired and lots of "craic" about the ride.

The return ride took us back through Tregaron and Abergwesyn and some of remote hills of Wales. Very picturesque and narrow single track roads finally descending to ford a small river and return to Builth Wells for tea.

Click on a picture to view the gallery.