During the last 12 months great progress has been made with the setting up of an advanced riding element within the Group. National Rider Observer Alan Douglas has been instrumental in setting this up. To support this development we have allowed rider Associates to join the group to support rider Observer training. To date, we have had eight advanced rider test passes, two of which have achieved the IAM F1rst. Two of our rider Observers have also passed the rider National Observer assessment. This is a fantastic achievement for our rider team. For his stirling efforts Alan Douglas was awarded the prestigious Observer of the Year trophy at our AGM in June. Well done Alan and also congratulations to Ken Nevitt and Simon Brook who were awarded the Driver of the Year and Observer of the Year trophies respectively.    

IAM HQ has given notice that it will close all of the IAM branded websites at the end of August. This will affect over 50 of the IAM Groups including us. We are in the process of developing a new website which will shortly be in place but there may be a period when we have no website during the transition period.

In November, the Group  celebrates its 40th anniversary. To still be an active Group after 40 years is a fantastic achievement and testimony to generations of Observers and Committee members. Sadly, some of our neighbouring Groups of 40 years ago have closed down. To keep going we are always on the look out for new Observers and Committee members. If you are interested in supporting the Group in this way then let me know.

Safe driving … and riding

Mark Farnworth

Group Chairman