Well here we are again with yet another news letter, doesn’t time fly when having fun riding our bikes. The Sunday training days have been continuing through the summer, some better than others with a good percentage of the public who have come along actually enrolling. Once again thanks to all the observers who have attended the free assessed rides, and the other helpers who have made life easier for us on the day.

We have also been busy recruiting observer’s, Paul Nol and Chris Palmer have successfully completed their training and are now qualified observers. I would also like you to know that Dave Spicer has achieved senior status, having passed his senior test with Jon Taylor in July. So I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all three of you in your achievements, hoping you enjoy your time in the new role.

As you may be aware from the various announcements, we have CHIEF OBSERVER’S REPORT AUGUST 2006 new faces on the general committee.Yet more evidence that the club is moving in the right direction, so please try and support the social activities that the committee are endeavouring to put on for you. It has been good to see some of the new faces in SAM for the club nights, which hopefully will continue to improve with new blood in the committee and our new venue.

We have had 13 passes since the AGM in May, they are Joy Crowe, Dave Shawyer, Mehrdad Tamiz, Tim Slade, Jo Willett, Simon Marsden, John Bailey, Paul Harling, Martin Saunders, Owen McArdle, Tony Woodcock, Stuart Dorey and Rob Willoughby. Apart from the last two people all the others were invited to come along to the last club night on August 8th to receive their certificates and badges, I had two apologies from Joy and Jo and only four of the remainder turned up. I am rather annoyed that after all the dedication and free time that the observers give to their associates, that they can’t devote some of their time to attend the club night when requested to receive the certificates etc. Stuart And Rob will be invited to attend the September club night along with any further successful candidates, to receive their badges and certificates.

Finally I am going to Australia for a month in October/November, so any test passes or failures will have to be sent to David Spicer in my absence. Then David has agreed to put the passes on announce, his e-mail address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Take care and safe riding

Our current Observer status is Senior Observers Myself, Gerry Gooch, Peter Joss, Peter Johnson, David Spicer and Steve Clothier Qualified Observers Matthew Jones, Mark Bowley, Kevin Parsons, Simon Fairburn, Gary Harrison, Peter Emmins, Roger Coe,Nigel Grace, Ian Cooper, Colin Penman, Kevin Woodcock, Colin Hitchcock, Steve Carter, Colin Backhouse and John Kennedy Kevin Parsons has applied for senior status. Trainee Observers Gary Griffiths, Steve Lawrence & Paul Sutliff Congratulations go to those who have passed the test in the year from AGM to AGM that haven’t been already mentioned, they are Mark Nicholls, Claire Jenrick, Alan Parkinson, Paul Feeney, Andrew Dickson, Thomas McGhee, Simon Gardener, Steve Restall, Neil Stocker, James West,Warren Hobbs and Nick Tucker A presentation was made at the AGM to the 50th pass of the year who turned out to be Thomas McGhee, he was awarded a certificate, gift vouchers by SAM and a model of motorcycle donated by our new regional co-ordinator Trevor Pembroke. Well that’s about it for this edition except to say a big thank you to Alan Thomas and his brother-in -law Mark for the fantastic day out on 27th May, enjoyed tremendously by myself and other four that took part. For a better idea of the day please see separate story. John Goodson Chief Observer