For those of you who didn't attend the AGM you missed a great evening. Some 25 people attended which was a reasonable turnout. The Committee remains the same with the addition of Mark Hemans who is the Group’s new Lead National Observer.

The highlight of the evening was a talk by Mark Hemans who has been a serving Police Officer for some 30 years. See page 4 of the newsletter for a summary of Mark’s talk.

I was delighted to welcome back the Mayor Councillor Lynne Clarke. Councillor Clarke attended last year as Deputy Mayor. As last year, she chaired the AGM.

Congratulations to Paul Fryer, Chris Bradley and Garry Maddocks for winning the Associate, Observer and Driver of the Year Trophies respectively.

Our next Advanced Driver Course starts with a course introduction on Thursday 31st August. We are still offering a 100% cashback to financially support would-be advanced drivers during the cost of living crisis. (T&Cs apply). Please let your family and friends know about the course and cashback.

We want to do much more outreach in our community in St. Helens and more generally across Merseyside. We offer something very unique in this day and age - a professionally delivered and administered driving course to help people to become more confident and skillfull drivers. We are looking to provide 40 minute to 1 hour advanced driving awareness presentations to other charities or social groups. If you are a member of such an organisation then let the officials know that we’d   love to talk to their members about advanced driving or provide more focussed talks such as defensive driving and the new Highway Code rules.

Well, that’s it from me. Safe driving and good observing.

Mark Farnworth
Group Chairman