Group Monthly Meeting

January 2025

Seventeen members attended our first bi-monthly meeting of 2025. Apologies were received from Andrew O’Neil, Graham Roberts, Geoff Robinson, Laura Johnson, David McNeil.

Recent group ride to Wales!

GROUP NEWS & MEMBERSHIP:

The committee wish all members and associates a Happy, Safe and Healthy 2025 and we're looking forward to another successful year ahead for the group.

The group’s constitution, accounts, documentation etc. have been sent and audited by RoSPA who have successfully awarded another RoSPA Accreditation Certificate to expire on January 6th 2028. You may notice the Certificate is sign by Baroness Judith Jolly who took over the Presidency following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Our tutoring team currently numbers sixteen with newly group appointed Alex Currie and Frank Stevens joining us this year together with three new trainees Laura, Andrew and David.

Our group has 67 paid up members and our Group Facebook page followers stands at 257.   

Our courses this year will commence on March 8th  (46), June7th  (47) and September 6th  (48)

RoSPA MEMBERSHIP:

From December 1st, RoSPA will be implementing a 60-day subscription payment policy. Initial membership renewal reminders will be sent out to members 30 days prior to their renewal date. If payment is not received, members will continue to receive regular reminders up to 60 days past the renewal date, at which point, if payment has still not been received, the membership will be cancelled. Anyone wishing to reinstate their RoSPA membership after it has been cancelled will be treated as a new member and will be required to re-take their advanced test

RoSPA members please note: You will not receive membership reminders if you have changed your name, address, email, phone details etc and have not notified them of the changes!

BIKERDOWN & BIKESAFE:

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Services’ FREE Bikerdown course is available to Riders and drivers and next year’s dates are available now. The four-hour course is FREE despite the web address starting with ‘buy tickets’.  Anyone wishing to attend can now book for FREE at https://buytickets.at/cheshirefirerescueserviceroadsafety/1065231 

348 riders attended the course last year with100% positive feedback!!

They may be four additional ‘Advanced Bikerdown casualty care’ courses run this year at the Winsford HQ Training Centre. Invites will be sent to riders who attended the course in 2024.

Merseyside Police Bikesafe. 2025 course dates have not been released as yet, when they are  available riders can  book on line at https://bikesafe.co.uk/merseyside  It is advertised as a one day course with the Police on a Saturday for £65.00. Our input on the Sunday is an optional free day named as 'Bridging the Gap' consisting of additional coaching by RoSPA /IAM tutors

RIDE OUTS:

Graham Irving has led a few rides over the start of 2025 to Wales and attended this meeting on return from a 200 mile Northerly ride taking in Hawes and Settle ( in the sunshine!!)

Dave Sampson has organised another superb weekend next Easter, riding to the lovely French township of Saint Omer, a short ride from Calais. (Fighter ace Douglas Bader attempted an escape from hospital in the town after being shot down over Gravelines in WW2) Lots of great roads and history from WW1 & WW2 in the area. Thursday 17th April until Monday 21st are the dates. Over twenty members and friends have booked so far!

Dave also has a weekend ride out at the end of February to be based at Leeds. Contact Dave via me ( Secretary ) for details.

No news on our meet up with an Irish RoSPA group in Dublin or their return visit to Merseyside.  More details to follow when dates are arranged.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The next monthly meeting will be our 2025 Annual General Meeting so please make a note of Wednesday 26th March and try to attend. Check out our Facebook Page for details nearer the evening. Members will have the opportunity to vote on 2025 committee membership and have their say on group items in general. Any member wishing to put themselves in the running for Chairman, Secretary or committee member please let me (Keith) know at the earliest to arrange ballot papers etc.

AOB:

Keith gave a short presentation on the aims of ‘BRAKE’, a road safety charity organisation who hold a Road Safety Week each year. 2025 dates are the week commencing May 12th. The charity is supported by local council road safety departments, emergency services etc. and events and displays take place in schools, colleges and city/town centres. They are promoting five safety themes across the country this year.

1.       20mph speed limit on all roads/streets in built up areas.

2.       Progressive licencing for young and new drivers.

3.       Zero or lower tolerance on drink driving in line with Europe.

4.       New vehicles to have all life saving technology fitted as   standard

5.       Fatalities/ serious injuries sustained when driving company vehicles to be logged with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) under RIDDOR as workplace injuries.

SHAUN ROONEY

Last year, Shaun was involved in a RTC on the East Lancs Road (A580) when riding his Ducati. He sustained quite serious injuries and is still recovering at home and remains with very little use of his wrist and fingers. Shaun is an engineer has been unable to work since his incident as he is feeling very understandable fed up! I’m sure all members and friends wish him a speedy full recovery and return to work as soon as he’s firing on all cylinders once again.

NIGEL BROOKSBANK

Nigel has been an active Group Member for many years and has joined us on many group rides into Wales, the Peaks and the Pennines. He has informed me that the time has come to finally ‘hang up his boots’ and put the bike away for good after many happy years in the saddle. A lovely man who will be missed. Nigel, you will be always welcome at our meetings or events for a catch up. Take care and stay safe

MIKE IRELAND

It was nice to see Chairman Mike at the meeting. As you know, Mike has not been in good health throughout last year undergoing several major heart operations with numerous complications. He has been unable to ride for many months and has decided to step down as Chairman of the Group. With our AGM in March being near if any member would like to step forward and take Mikes place would you let me know as soon as possible and we will put it to a membership vote. A big thank you to Mike for his time in the chair and we will see him in March

The next meeting is on Wednesday March 27th   at the Aughton Institute. Usual time 19.30 start. This will be our Annual General Meeting with reports from your committee members and a chance to vote them on or off. (If anyone would like the secretary role, please feel free to call me!)

Members, AGM’s are a great opportunity to have your say . See you then !!