Hello everyone,

As I mentioned in the August newsletter we would like to increase our activity in the recruitment and marketing side of the Group. A step towards achieving this is for someone to head-up our social media team which will involve posting/monitoring of the Group social media and also any future fund applications made. If you have some spare time, have a passion to reach out to communities to raise awareness of what we do and have skills in social media and marketing then please get in touch.

The preparation to have an advanced rider element within the Group has continued at pace over the last few months. We have one qualified Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Rider National Observer (Alan Douglas) and now have three trainee Rider National Observers and four trainee rider Associates. Another two of our rider Associates have gone on to pass the IAM Advanced Rider test. We are on target for the official launch of our Advanced Rider Course in Spring next year. A particular thanks to Alan Douglas who is leading the various aspects of rider training.

As members/ friends of the St. Helens Group it is not too late to take up my invite in the August newsletter to either train to pass the Advanced Rider test or train to become one of our rider Observers. 

If you are a IAM member, perhaps taking the advanced driving or  riding test many years ago, feel you would like to get your driving / riding back to what it was then the good news is that the IAM has just launched a Member’s Advanced Refresher Course, delivered by IAM Groups. SHGAM has signed up to deliver this course. (see page 2). 

A reminder that our Winter Advanced Driving Course starts on the 9th January and, following a recent Committee decision, we are offering a £100 cashback only to those aged under 30 to encourage young people to become better and safer drivers and riders.  

Safe driving … and riding

Mark Farnworth

Group Chairman