Speaker Secretary

With living in Bradford I think I am now one of the Mid Yorkshire Advanced Motorists (MYAM) Committee members closest to the geographical centre of our region. But, in the late 1970's I found the Leeds group recruiting stand at a local agricultural show and was invited along to one of their weekend skills check days. My first training drive was on a hot sunny day and the waiting observers had hoped to be out in an open-topped car - so I rolled back the roof of my new Citroen Dyanne and off we happily went!

Whilst practising for my advanced test I completed one of my many house moves and found myself closer to the Wakefield group so I transferred to them. However I have lived in many of the areas absorbed by MYAM since passing my Advanced test with the old Wakefield group (led by John Saville and tested by Ron Elderkin - revered names from the past!). Ron tested applicants in Leeds and we'd only gone round the first corner when he saw me cancel my direction indicator and pulled me up on it asking if they were self-cancelling - but they weren't! I remember approaching Huby after working my way to the front of a tail of slow cars. Ron urged me to overtake before the 30mph zone started but I disagreed as there wouldn't have been time to reduce my speed after the manoeuvre. I passed first time anyway! In those days, as soon as we'd passed, we were encouraged to 'replace' ourselves by taking on our own Associate and I was pleased to successfully train my Associate before taking 'maternity leave' with my first child - and the resulting 'baby brain'.

In addition to the Leeds then Wakefield group, I then transferred from Huddersfield group to the new one covering Dewsbury and Batley. Never as an active member, other than the monthly meetings, due to 'home responsibilities' and other volunteering positions as Chair of the newly formed local Credit Union, and also Speaker Secretary with the local Women's Institute (WI).

On retiring from working as a Local Government Officer I took on more volunteering - as Bradford organiser for Mensa social events and, putting my WI skills to use, taking on the vacant role as Speaker Secretary for MYAM. I totally agree with the majority findings of our recent full members survey and I am happy to look for driving and/or transport related speakers. Please come along to the monthly meetings and support me and your association J