Thank you for your support at the AGM. On this occasion, I’m going to use my space in Slipstream to highlight some of the things that are already going on in 2026.

Membership Price Rise
You may have noticed that the cost of IAM RoadSmart membership has risen to £51 per year, an increase of around 8%. Understandably, this has prompted questions about why members must belong to both TVAM and IAM RoadSmart. As an affiliated group, TVAM is part of the IAM RoadSmart community – we are IAM RoadSmart – and our membership ensures we have a voice in shaping future improvements rather than commenting from the sidelines.

It’s clear that IAM RoadSmart needs to evolve to remain relevant to today’s riders and drivers and to respond to the current political, economic, and safety landscape. IAM RoadSmart are acutely aware there are differences in culture and approach between the central organisation and groups such as ours. I’ve noticed an increased openness recently, and a desire to improve communication with groups.

In December, I met with Shona Johnstone, Chair of the IAM RoadSmart Board of Trustees. The main purpose of the meeting was for Shona to meet and understand the thoughts and concerns of groups up and down the country.

There is also a financial challenge to address, following the significant accounting deficit reported at the last IAM AGM.

In January, I joined several other SouthWest Group Chairs in a meeting with Interim CEO Mark Armitage. Mark opened the discussion by addressing the
deficit directly, setting out his commitment to organisational change rather than simply ‘minding the fort’. With his background in analysing and
implementing strategic improvements, we can expect meaningful changes over the coming months aimed at sharpening IAM RoadSmart’s focus and ensuring resources are used where they deliver real value.

I should add that following the meeting the level of communication between Chairs has improved.

Marketing
TVAM also needs to evolve to make the most of new opportunities. The committee has set an objective to strengthen our Marketing activity in its broadest sense. There is a strong feeling that we could do a better job of understanding and describing the benefits that membership and advanced training bring, to
demographics we don’t currently attract. A recent “Head of Marketing and Communications” role advertised on Groups.io has already received a strong
response, and I’m hopeful that by the time you read this, we will have someone stepping into that position to help drive our vision forward.

We welcome anyone interested in contributing to our marketing efforts — expanding our reach is vital to the club’s long-term growth.

IT Project
As mentioned at the AGM, our project to improve the way TVAM stores and shares information has now entered the rollout phase. Members who regularly handle personal data as part of their role will be issued Microsoft 365 accounts, giving them access to Email, SharePoint and associated services. Further guidance will follow to help ensure a smooth transition and consistent practices across the club.

Travel Policy
I have also been working on a solution to our current Travel Policy constraint — the rule that prevents us from promoting multi-element trips as official TVAM events due to the risk of triggering the Package Travel Regulations. This limitation affects the perceived value of the club, as these popular trips are currently organised informally within local groups. Booking trips through a Travel Agent remains a viable solution in some circumstances, as has been demonstrated by some trips this year. An alternative proposed approach is now with the committee for approval. While I can’t announce details just yet, I hope to provide a full update soon. Please watch this space

Kevin Dunwell
TVAM Chair

Looking Back, Moving Forward
As we enter a new year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s annual report. The dedication and effort from our volunteers is truly inspiring, and the report stands as a testament to what we can achieve together.

Reflections on Leadership
Approaching the Annual General Meeting, I find myself reflecting on my first two years as TVAM Chair. Throughout this time, I’ve championed the principles that make TVAM a welcoming and empowering organisation. Our leadership team’s role is to support every volunteer, enabling you to deliver on your commitments and make a real members have a range of responsibilities, everything we do is rooted in these core values.
Accountability is also central to our work. The committee is answerable to the entire membership, and the AGM is a vital opportunity for you to hear what we’ve been doing, ask questions, and challenge our decisions. Your scrutiny and support are essential as we plan for the year ahead.

Opportunities to Get Involved
A healthy organisation thrives on fresh ideas and new energy. That’s why it’s important for new people to join the committee and for existing members to limit their tenure. This approach keeps our team dynamic, prevents the concentration of power, and ensures we remain adaptable. If you’re interested in helping, please don’t hesitate to come forward – even if you see someone else in a role you’d like to try. Simply expressing your interest helps us plan for the future and strengthens the committee.

Keeping Skills Sharp: My Aardvark Experience
On a more personal note, I recently completed my own Aardvark – a one-day coaching and assessment session with Rapid Training, designed to keep Observer riding skills sharp. Like many, I look forward to these sessions, even when the weather isn’t on our side.
On the day, it was bitterly cold – what my wife calls “not a bike day”. I walked out the front of my house. My neighbour Andy came out and said, “I saw you do the twisty foot thing in the road”. He was right, the road was a sheet of ice.
So, I contacted the group and said the weather is below my minimums. No one suggested I should come regardless, we merely agreed to delay for an hour. After the hour, the temperature had come up a little, and I was happy to proceed. My layers of clothing kept me warm all day, and with a little care the roads were enjoyable.
For me, the only limit is the risk of ice – otherwise, I encourage everyone to ride year-round and enjoy the roads safely.
See You Soon
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. Ride safe, and I look forward to seeing you at St. Crispin’s.

Kevin Dunwell
TVAM Chair

IAM RoadSmart Autumn Forum
On Saturday, Ian Gaitley (TVAM Secretary) and I attended the IAM RoadSmart “Network & Knowledge” event, or what generally referred to as the annual forum. We went to the Area 1 (Southwest) event, whereas last year we went to the Area 2 (Southeast) event. TVAM’s catchment area crosses the border between these two areas, although the content is similar and we could’ve attended any of them.

The event was well run, and in my opinion an improvement from last year. It was more interactive and less ‘corporate’ in style. They’ve listened to the feedback from previous events. TVAM as a group is influential, both with IAM RoadSmart and our neighbouring groups, I believe in part as a legacy of my predecessors. It was an opportunity for us to have conversations with officers from other groups, to share ideas and experiences.

The purpose of the day was an operational update, sharing group activities and networking. This won’t be a full synopsis of what happened – just of the things I noted at the time.

Articles of Association
To be honest, I was expecting the proposed revision to the Articles of Associate to dominate the discussion more than it did. There seemed to be a consensus in the room that the each of the changes were necessary to allow the charity to move forward.

One example given was the ability to introduce new membership types, such as people who wish to contribute to the charity but for one reason or another can’t drive or ride.

However, none of the IAM RoadSmart representatives were experts in the subject and recommended sending questions directly to the team. Every member of IAM RoadSmart has their own vote on this proposal, and each item is a separate vote.

New Website
This week, IAM RoadSmart launched their new website. As I write (just after the October St.Crispins meeting), the new website clearly needs to more work. The
general message from the IAM representatives was “please bear with us”, while the problems are ironed out. The main issue right now seems to be the Dashboard is missing. Apparently it’s there, but no one in the room could find it (including IAM folks). Like many of you, my career was in I.T., and I know this is nothing unusual for a new website launch.

Once the website is completed, the IAM RoadSmart team will also updating the design of the newsletters.

Digital Run Report Forms
IAM RoadSmart will be rolling out digital run report forms, linked to DARTS (the IAM secure database used to manage member and training records). Some groups have been testing these recently.

I should say that doesn’t mean TVAM are about to introduce them, although I’m aware there is support both for and against amongst our Observers. This is more a matter for the Chief Observer and the Training Team than me.

70 Years
Next year will be the 70th anniversary of IAM RoadSmart. There will be an update to the branding and logos to indicate this, and some events to commemorate the occasion. Of course, there’s been a massive improvement in overall road safety during that time, yet we need to be cognisant that there is still work to do. This will be reflected in the wording and tone of the communications that go.

IAM Support Team
I’ve seen several comments recently relating to delays in responses from the membership support team. I know they were short of staff, but what I only just found out was while new staff were being trained, they’d had most of the existing team go down with COVID. The message was (again) “please bear with us”, as they work to solve the problem.

Insurance
There was some discussion on the subject of Cornmarket Insurance, the organisation behind IAM Surity Insurance, as many people have found they don’t get the expected insurance benefit. I was reassured they work actively working on the issue, but it may take a while to resolve.

It’s fair to say Insurance has been a hot topic on the forum recently, although predominantly on the insurance policies held by IAM RoadSmart on our behalf. While I have drafted a guide on what these policies mean for our members, I need to have it checked so it’s missed the deadline for this issue of Slipstream. There are sections on equipment cover, public and products liability, personal accident and more.

The most important part of it as an Observer is the Professional Indemnity section. It means that if an Observer gives coaching advice that is later alleged to be incorrect, misleading, or harmful – and a legal claim arises – this cover may apply, provided the Observer was acting in their IAM role and within the scope of their duties.

The New Year
I’m not going to end with comments on insurance, so I thought I’d point out November is a new year for TVAM. There is (or will be) an annual report to read, and preparation for the Annual General Meeting. Look out for notifications on these.

Kevin Dunwell
TVAM Chair

Benefits of TVAM’s Affiliation with IAM RoadSmart

Since I first took on the role of Chair, and even before, I’ve heard comments asking why TVAM needs to be affiliated with IAM RoadSmart at all. There’s no serious move to break down that relationship, but I see nothing wrong with questioning whether things are as they should be. I promised to take an objective look at the benefits and costs of our affiliation, to act as a reference for future debate. Admittedly, this was initially to make sure I understood it myself!

As members of Thames Vale Advanced Motorcyclists (TVAM), we are part of a vibrant community dedicated to enhancing our riding skills and promoting road safety. Our association with IAM RoadSmart plays a crucial role in achieving these goals. Here’s why our continued partnership with IAM RoadSmart is beneficial for all of us, along with a balanced view of the associated costs.

Enhanced Training Quality

IAM RoadSmart is renowned for its advanced training programs. By being affiliated with them, TVAM gains access to a wealth of high-quality training materials and courses. While these resources help IAM groups deliver high-quality training to their members, it could be argued this is more appropriate for smaller groups. TVAM has been able to use its more extensive resources to develop a wide range of courses which has raised the bar on quality and contributed content and ideas to other IAM groups.

Credibility and Recognition

IAM RoadSmart has a long-standing reputation for promoting road safety. Our association with such a respected organisation enhances TVAM’s credibility. This recognition not only attracts new members but also reassures current members that they are part of a reputable and professional group. The IAM RoadSmart badge is a mark of excellence that signifies our commitment to road safety and advanced riding skills. To draw a parallel, consider the benefits for professionals such as architects or accountants who are members of their respective institutions. For architects, being part of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) signifies adherence to high standards of practice and ethics, enhancing their credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of clients and peers. Similarly, accountants who are members of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) are recognised for their expertise and commitment to professional standards. This membership not only boosts their professional standing but also provides access to continuous professional development and networking opportunities. In the same way, our affiliation with IAM RoadSmart elevates TVAM’s standing in the motorcycling community and underscores our dedication to excellence.

Insurance

One of the tangible benefits of being an advanced motorcyclist is the potential for insurance discounts. Many insurers recognise IAM RoadSmart qualifications and offer reduced premiums to members. This can result in significant savings, effectively offsetting the cost of membership. These discounts are a testament to the trust insurers place in the advanced training and safety standards upheld by IAM RoadSmart and TVAM.

IAM RoadSmart holds Public Liability Insurance and Observer Professional Indemnity Insurance on our behalf.

Networking and Community

Being part of IAM RoadSmart connects us with a broader network of advanced motorcyclist groups. This creates opportunities for networking, sharing best practices, and participating in larger events. It fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among like-minded riders. Through IAM RoadSmart, we can engage with a diverse group of motorcyclists, exchange experiences, and learn from each other’s journeys.

Continuous Improvement

Both IAM RoadSmart and TVAM are committed to the continuous development of new courses and training methods. Each organisation has programmes for training development, and there is an active exchange of content and ideas on subjects such as the latest advancements in road safety and riding techniques.
This of course relates to continuous improvement of what the organisations have to offer. It remains the responsibility of individuals to maintain or improve their riding skills after their advanced test, and there is no lack of opportunities to do so.

Collaboration with National Bodies

IAM RoadSmart collaborates with various industry bodies, including The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), to enhance motorcycle safety. The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) underwrites qualifications including that of the National Observer. They are on the panel that writes Roadcraft, the core of advanced riding (and driving).

Member Perks

IAM RoadSmart membership comes with various perks, including discounts on products and services, access to exclusive events, and informative publications. These benefits add value to our membership and keep us engaged and informed. The regular newsletters and magazines provide insights into the latest trends in motorcycling, safety tips, and stories from fellow riders, enriching our riding experience.

Weighing the Costs

Membership Fees

One of the primary costs associated with our affiliation is the membership fee to IAM RoadSmart. This fee covers access to training materials, certifications, and
administrative support. Members need to pay for both TVAM and IAM RoadSmart memberships, which can be a financial consideration for some.

Event Fees

Participation in IAM RoadSmart events or additional courses might incur extra costs for members. While these events provide valuable learning and networking
opportunities, it’s important to consider the financial impact on our members.

Resource Allocation

Aligning TVAM’s activities with IAM RoadSmart’s standards and requirements requires time and effort from our volunteers and staff. This resource allocation is
necessary to maintain the high standards of training and safety that we uphold.

Addressing Concerns

We understand that some members have concerns about the costs associated with our affiliation. It’s important to weigh these costs against the substantial benefits we receive. The enhanced training quality, credibility, insurance discounts, and networking opportunities provided by IAM RoadSmart are invaluable assets to TVAM. By focusing on the long-term advantages and the overall improvement in riding safety and skills, we can appreciate the true value of our association.

Moving Forward

As we look to the future, it’s essential to embrace the opportunities that our association with IAM RoadSmart presents. Our commitment to road safety and
advanced riding skills will remain at the forefront of our mission, supported by the strong foundation provided by IAM RoadSmart. We continue to review our relationship, including regular meetings and communication, to ensure that our association meets the needs of our members.

Legal Considerations

It’s important to note that separating from IAM RoadSmart would be far from straightforward. According to the Charity Commission documentation, IAM RoadSmart and TVAM operate under specific governing documents that outline their structure and affiliations.

In Conclusion

Our affiliation with IAM RoadSmart is a cornerstone of TVAM’s mission to promote advanced riding skills and road safety. The benefits we gain far outweigh the costs. By leveraging IAM RoadSmart’s reputation, resources and expertise, we can continue to grow as a community, attract new members, and uphold the highest standards of riding excellence.

We should look to further embrace these advantages and remain united in our commitment to making the roads safer for everyone. Together, we can ensure that TVAM remains a leading force in advanced motorcycling, dedicated to excellence and safety.

Kevin Dunwell
TVAM Chair

This is part 2 of a two-part article. I recommend reading my June article if you’ve not done so already, but the conclusion was we need to upgrade our governance structure to be right for the club we are now, and set for the future.

This month I’m going to announce the new governance framework, and explain where we’re going, as I promised in my last ‘from the chair’. One of the needs I highlighted in the previous article is a clearer demarcation of responsibilities between the key roles. Many of these roles will need deputies/assistants to provide support and, possibly but not necessarily, provide a route of succession.

First, let’s take a look at the elected members of the committee. You’ll note there is one new position, and another has been split into two roles.

• The Chair is ultimately responsible for strategy, brand, marketing and reputation and be the external “face” of TVAM. In the absence of a deputy, the Secretary can deputise for the Chair, or the Chief Observer can at St. Crispin’s.
• The Secretary is responsible for policy, governance, legal compliance, data protection, insurance, coordinating the annual report and the AGM as well
  as the statutory returns to Companies House and the Charity Commission.
• The Treasurer is responsible for co-ordinating the financial plan, financial reporting, day-to-day expenditure, preparation of the annual financial
  statements and independent examination, procurement and contract management.
• The Chief Observer is not a trustee-director of the Company. They are responsible for the training of Associates, Observer professional development, quality of riding generally and the consistency of post-test training provided by TVAM. The Chief Observer is supported by the Training Team.
• The Green Team Leader is responsible for representing the needs of the Green Team at the Committee, coordinating the organisation of social rides, events and the St. Crispin’s monthly meetings.
• The Membership Secretary is responsible for all matters relating to membership: personal details, new members, renewals, and synchronisation with IAM RS.
• The Comms Lead to be responsible for all internal and external communication programmes and initiatives. This includes co-ordination with the Slipstream editor to ensure that key comms messages are published in a timely and appropriate manner.
  

Now let’s look at the Non-Executive Committee members. These roles can be co- opted by the sitting committee as required. The roles include: Technical Lead,
Slipstream Editor, Training Team Lead and deputies for some of the roles above. We are prioritising deputies for Chief Observer and Green Team leader in the first instance.
There is one completely new role in this section – Technical Lead. This role will act as an adviser to the committee on technical matters, and be responsible for the successful implementation and maintenance of the systems that support TVAM activities. At the time of writing, there is a separate project underway to potentially upgrade these systems.

Working with the Comms Lead, the Slipstream Editor will be responsible for the monthly production and distribution of Slipstream.

The Training Team, which of course is led by the Training Team Leader, will oversee not just Associate and Observer training, but all TVAM’s training activities. This includes an oversight of training courses run by the club, such as:
• LLR
• ABC (note, the current course organisers are looking to step down)
• Bikecraft
• Run Leader and Back Marker
• Track Skills Days
• Bikesafe/Rider Down/Be A Better Biker
• 7Ws
• 3Rs
• Slow Riding/Manoeuvring
• Bike Maintenance
• Observer Weekend and Observer Training Day
• Aardvarks

The Training Team will continue to work closely with the Chief Observer. Its remit may be expanded to include suitable representation from each of the courses listed.

There is a document that describes the proposed (and now approved) organisation structure. It includes more detail than I can include here, such as terms of reference for each role and useful table of roles. It’s a working document, and will change from time to time, so updates will be posted going forward. Once this issue of Slipstream is published, I will upload it to Groups.io and publish as link.

We need volunteers of course. My experience so far has been that TVAM members do step forward and offer their time and skills. This is in my view a sign of a strong club. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of who we are, and on behalf of the club I thank you all.

You may rightfully ask “which roles have current vacancies?”. It’s a constantly changing picture. As I write (end of July) we have expressions of interest for some of the roles, while there are some with none as yet. I’m encouraged by the overall interest, but please don’t let that put you off volunteering. Your skills may well be just what the club needs! Interested? – drop me an email at chair@tvam.org, or speak to me directly at one of the club events such as St. Crispin’s.

While I’m here, a big thank you to the Green Team, and our Chief Observer Barrie, who made some last-minute adjustments for St. Crispin’s in July. In August, we’re optimistic we will be in the Sports Hall, but please do watch out for the published details leading up to the event and our marshals on the day.

Kevin Dunwell
TVAM Chair

This month is the first of two parts, where I’m going to take a look at the serious issue of governance of our growing club.

It should be clear to anyone involved with TVAM that we’ve gradually been growing. At the last count we had 1165 members, the largest IAM RoadSmart group in the country by an order of magnitude. Our size brings opportunities, such as the breadth of courses and activities on offer, but it also brings problems.

There are two current challenges that are exacerbated by our size: the IT systems we use to run the club need to be strong and robust enough to get the job done, and the team of volunteers have to be able to complete their roles.

The IT systems are being upgraded, including a successful upgrade of the membership database last year (a fantastic and understated achievement in my view), and an ongoing evaluation of next steps.

However, the subject of my article this month is the processes, roles and responsibilities that underpin the governance of our club. I’m going to take a look at the reason we need to review these items, with a follow-up article to explain the revision we’re introducing.

At risk of stating the obvious: TVAM is run entirely by volunteers. We have a great team of people contributing to the club, including club trustees, observers, training course coordinators and those manning the tea and coffee bar at St. Crispin’s. We are also a charity, and as such we operate withing a legal framework that is laid down in legislation and regulated by the Charities Commission. This places several restrictions and obligations on the Club.

The Club has grown into a complex organisation, operating within an equally complex regulatory framework. This has led the committee to review the overall governance structure, to ensure it is fit for purpose in delivering effective management for the members. In the review, it has been important we acknowledge that:

• We have continued to grow in size.
• Some individuals are doing a disproportionate amount of work.
• Not all activities have the appropriate oversight of governance.
• Committee members should have deputies/assistants and/or succession plans in place. • We need succession plans for some roles outside of the Committee.
• Some Club members feel that some key roles are filled by unelected officers.
• Some existing role holders have expressed a desire to step down.
• Expressions of interest in volunteering for roles must be acted upon effectively.
• We must continue to respect the goodwill of all volunteers.
  

The committee has been working to consider this in a governance review, also taking particular account of some of the key roles. Some volunteers put in considerable hours. There needs to be more distribution of work across key office holders, with clearer demarcation of responsibilities.

The Chief Observer has been seen as the “managing director” of TVAM; a person who effectively runs the Club on a daily basis. This has developed following huge contributions from previous postholders but has grown to an unsustainable level of work. One change Barrie and I have already made is for the Chief Observer role to focus on elements of training, passing anything else to the Chair. In combination with good communication this has worked well, but there is still work to be done.

The Chair is a trustee of the charity, and the external face of TVAM. The role is there to represent and support all our membership.

Although the Club is a road safety charity affiliated with IAM RoadSmart and has a clear obligation to train riders to achieve their Advanced Motorcycle Test and beyond, we need to recognise that around three quarters of the Club’s membership are Full Members already and they are looking for things in addition to training, especially on the social side. Green Team members do need more recognition, representation, and support.

In my next article, I plan to introduce the revised governance framework, and hopefully explain what we are doing. It will include a clearer definition of structure, roles and responsibilities, including some new roles that we hope to fill. As I write, this is in effect a proposal because it has not been formally ratified by the committee, but we’re almost there and expect to have it ready for my part two.

At the end of May, we successfully ran a “Be a Better Biker” event. It was good to see a room full of delegates doing a workshop with our Chief Observer and meeting our Observers for a riding assessment. The feedback received on the day was very positive, with everyone saying they’d learnt something and several delegates committing to register for the full IAM RoadSmart course. A big thank you to everyone involved with setting up this event. I look forward to the next one on 22nd June.

Kevin Dunwell
TVAM Chair

I’ve survived a couple of months in the new role! I’ve been impressed: joining a skilled and committed group of people has made it a lot easier to get up to speed. I’m confident we can work together to get things done.

I’m going to use this spot to bring you up-to-date on a couple of things that have been going on, and to introduce some things I feel strongly about.
I tend to use my bike all through the winter, except when there is a risk of ice. However, I don’t use it as much as I do in the warm weather. Now spring has come I wonder if my own riding skills are the same as they were last autumn. I’ll be seeking training opportunities amongst the many options available through the Club, and I encourage others to do the same. Don’t assume your skills remain at the same level. As I write, there are places left for Castle Combe on 21st May, maybe see you there?

Be A Better Biker are one-day motorcycling workshops, aimed at people who have not done any advanced training. We hope to introduce concepts that will improve their competence and safety, and perhaps act as a feeder into the IAM RoadSmart course. It has grown from an idea introduced by TVAM and Buckinghamshire Council into a series of 12 events supported by Buckinghamshire and Berkshire Councils, as well as Buckinghamshire and Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services and four IAM groups including TVAM. This year TVAM are delivering three events in Berkshire: 4th May (Crowthorne), 25th May (Theale) and 22nd June (Theale). ‘How can I help?’ I hear you ask. We will need approximately six Observers for each event (and thank you to those who’ve already offered), but the main help we need is promotion. There are events listed on the TVAM public Facebook page, which could be shared with local bike clubs, and by the time this goes out there should be fliers available for bike shops.

I promised a follow-up on TVAM’s response to the recent price rise for IAM RoadSmart Course. Our “balanced and appropriate response” became a letter from
me on behalf of the TVAM committee. The most important of the points I made was to ask why the jump in price was so large (23%), and why we, and other groups, had no communication beforehand. My letter was escalated internally, and I received a response the same day from Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart Policy and Standards Director. He explained that the price rises had been long-overdue and were necessary to bring some courses back to a break-even status. He fully accepted our points about communication, and explained how they would make improvements going forward. In my view, our ability to make an appropriate complaint, and theirs to handle it as they did, will only help to improve how we can work together going forward.

It is important to me, that we, as a club and training organisation, are open and welcoming to all. I believe we do a pretty good job overall, but I wonder if the
demographics of club membership properly represent the same in the motorcycle community. I struggle to get my head around why race, gender, age or anything else affects the ability to ride a motorcycle, but sometimes it’s the seemingly subtle things we do that make a difference. I’m interested in what we may need to do as a Club to make TVAM even more welcoming to everyone.

Finally, a shout-out to the marshals organising the parking, and everyone else in the Green Team at St. Crispin’s. It will be a similar arrangement in April, so please do follow guidance on where to park, and avoid the coned-off areas when departing. We will again be marshaling people on arrival into correct parking areas, and on leaving please ensure you use the exit nearest the road and not through the coned-off areas. It is much appreciated how well everyone has supported the changes and helped St. Crispin’s to run smoothly. Of course, we need this support to continue for a while yet.

Take care out there!

Kevin Dunwell
TVAM Chair

Well, here I am with a new job – TVAM Chair! (gulp).

As I write this, it’s only my second day in the role and it feels like I’m on the steepest bit of the learning curve. I’m also worried there are things I’ve not found out or been told about.

Perhaps I’d better introduce myself. I live with my wife of 43 years in Newbury, having moved from Thatcham just about a year ago. We have two children, and two grandchildren (so far).

Although initially trained as an engineer, I’ve worked in software development since 1979. I ran my own company in Newbury for ten years, and for the past ten years have managed teams of software developers and/or software projects. I’ve been both a Director and Trustee of a charity multiple times in the past.

Some fun facts. I’ve got a Private Pilots Licence (long since expired, which basically means I haven’t got one), an amateur radio licence (I was even a morse code examiner), I’m in a choir and I’ve performed in several stage musicals.

I haven’t always been a biker. My father was anti-bike. When I was in my teens, my brothers and I were given a choice – either get a bike or continue living at home. I still managed to get a second-hand Honda S50 at 17, maybe that didn’t count. Quite a few years later, in 2009 and the week before they introduced the mod 1 part, I passed my bike test. My first introduction to advanced riding was a BikeSafe day, and I joined TVAM having been invited on a guest ride by Alan Mossman.

It took me a while to get to advanced test standard, but thanks to my observer (Nick Caiger-Smith), a weekend of 7Ws and a trip with WAGs to France, I got there in the end. I’d caught the bug, and wanted to learn more, so I kept going with training. I trained to become an Observer in 2014, with the idea that the best way to benefit from an organisation is to contribute to it. It worked: I learned more about advanced riding after I got a gold badge than before. It was followed by National Observer qualification in 2017, a Masters Distinction in 2018, and becoming a Skills Day Track Instructor in 2022.

I put myself up for this role because I want to contribute and believe I can add value. Being part of a team is important, and I’ll be looking to build
on skills within the club to improve what TVAM offers. We are succeeding in many ways, yet there are opportunities to grow. The standard of our training is well known to be very high, for example, yet perhaps we could step up our efforts to reach other demographics.

I was coordinating our work with road safety organisations before I took on this role and will, at least for the time being, continue to do that. As I write this, we’ve just booked some dates and venues for Be A Better Biker in 2024, and I will be seeking help from the membership to run the events.

Finally, I should echo what Barrie has said on previous months about the forthcoming St. Crispin’s. We will again be marshaling people on arrival into correct parking areas, and on leaving please ensure you use the exit nearest the road and not through the coned-off areas. It is much appreciated how well everyone has supported the changes and helped St. Crispin’s to run smoothly. Of course, we need this support to continue into the new year.

Kevin Dunwell
TVAM Chair