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Sefton Branch Monthly Meeting
18th October 2006

Present
There were 14 members present.

Keith welcomed everyone to the meeting there were apologies from Les, Roy and Tom

Last Meeting
At the last meeting, Peter had given a talk on shipping which had been very enjoyable and informative..

Williamsons Tunnels.
Lancashire Branch had organised a tour of the Williamson Tunnels in Liverpool. Mel and Nigel had both taken part and had found it very interesting

Classic Car Show
The annual Classic Car show at the NEC was taking place on 29th October. Keith and Nigel asked if anybody was interested in attending they would need to let one of them know as soon as possible in order to organise the tickets

Christmas Meal
Keith apologised for not yet having the booking forms available – they will be sent out with the next newsletter or before if ready.

Committee Meeting
Committee members were reminded that the next Committee Meeting was to take place on Wednesday 1st November at the Blue Bell at 8.00pm.

Keith’s Car
Keith’s car is presently off the road and being worked on by a friend – it will hopefully be back on the road shortly

Television
Nigel mentioned that Rosie Hamilton had informed him that the BBC was screening a documentary about older drivers – to be screened later that evening.

Next Meeting
The next meeting is the Annual Music Quiz and will be held on 15th November – refreshments s will be available together with a raffle

Any Other Business
Branch Constitution
Nigel passed round a copy of the new Branch Constitution which the committee members would be discussing at the forthcoming committee meeting

The meeting closed at 9.30pm

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CHRISTMAS MEAL – first of all apologies for the lateness of the booking form. As you will see, there has been a change of venue to Briars Hall Country House Hotel and Restaurant, Briars Lane, Lathom, Nr Omskirk. This change has been forced on us by the new owners of the previous venue having brought in a charge of £250 for the “hire” of the banqueting suite. As you will see, the meal is a little more expensive this year – although at £15 per person for a 3 course meal plus coffee and mince pies is still excellent value for money – wine of course will also be provided. Briars Hall are letting us use their “Orangery” – which is a function suite with round tables seating 8, 10 or 12 – just the same as we have become used to over the last few years. There are also suitable facilities for “Father Christmas”!! I am also attaching a menu and map and hope to see all of you – please note the cut off date for bookings – I MUST HAVE THE COMPLETED FORMS TOGETHER WITH THE RELEVANT DEPOSIT BY THE DATE OF OUR NEXT MEETING ON WEDNESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER.

Nigel’s Natter

Normally I write this piece straight after the meeting, but am writing this 10 days later, because I am in the process of constructing a carport for my Minor Van, before the wet weather arrives. However the wet weather has now arrived and it seamed apt to write this piece.

Referring to my notes of the meeting we had 13 people attending. Somewhat less than last time, but of course we did not have the attraction of a guest speaker. Three people renewed. Thank you for that.

How many of you managed to get home in time to watch the BBC program about older drivers, called One life, Elderly Drivers. As some of you will know, the MMOC was approached, asking for suitable candidates, and amongst others I suggested they should approach, Bert, Peter G, and Derek. Some of you will know that I am also in the Wirral Group of the Institute of Advances Motorists, and I suggested the BBC might want to approach one of the IAM members, a Miss Dorothy Proctor who is 95, and passed her advanced test at the age of 90.

As it turned out, the BBC filmed Bert and Miss Proctor, but only used the footage from Miss Proctor. It may be that Bert was not old enough, (at 86) or did not make enough driving mistakes to make it interestedly enough for the program. I don’t know.

I was disappointed in the quality of the program. It almost seemed if some ‘older drivers’ were being goaded into making mistakes, by the young researcher that was with them. The majority of the program was treating the subject of older drivers in a very light hearted way.

The key question as to how you assess when a person should stop driving was not addressed.

The majority of the people filmed were shown making driving mistakes. However, the most serious mistake was when the couple in their 1930’s Rolls Royce was shown driving out from the Pub restaurant car park. Turning left onto the main road, he made the turn fairly wide (I would guess that the RR would have a fairly large turning circle and no power steering), crossing over into oncoming traffic, where a heavy goods vehicle ended up sounding his horn, possibly having to brake as well to ovoid a head on accident. I wonder if the older driver realised what a near miss they had.

The difficult thing is to realise that your driving is deteriorating, and to do some thing about it.

With Miss Proctor, she bought a driving licence over the post offices counter for half a crown, and then was allowed to be on the road. Remember this was the early 1930’s, and there was not a requirement for a driving test. She realised her driving was not as good as it might be, addressed the problem by joining the IAM, had some suggestions and guidance of how she could improve her driving, and passed her advanced test. However the majority of this did not come out in the program. Her strategy is to just use her car locally, and only during the hours of daylight.

However, what did come out is that when asked to fill in a ‘self certification’ form, so that you can continue driving beyond the age of 70, unsurprisingly very few admit to deteriorating health and alertness which impacts severely upon their driving.

Most of the drivers shown did not do them selves any favours by being on the program. The only two that did not let themselves down was the 100 year old in his red Reliant Robin, and the 95 year old (who had subsequently died) who was shown racing an Historic racing car, and coming 17th out of a field of 30.

We can all drive quite badly, particularly if we are late, tired, or allow yourself to become distracted, either by a car passenger or a mobile phone.

Most drivers judge them selves good drivers because they have not had an accident (more correctly described as a crash) or not been caught by the police. However, how many ‘near misses’ have you had? That is the better judge of a good driver.

In my view, all drivers should be required to retake a driving test every 5 years, or to join a group like the IAM, where your driving is accessed.

What are your comments on that?

Nigel

Future events

Wednesday 15th November- Monthly meeting Blue Bell – Annual Music Quiz with raffle & refreshments

Sunday 3rd December – Christmas meal – change of venue – booking form & directions attached

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FROM THE SECRETARY

Not a lot to say this month except that the Music Quiz is all ready, the buffet has been ordered, and, Phil has the raffle prizes (further donations always welcome)!!
Please come and support us this month, bring along your booking forms and deposits for the Christmas Meal and, enjoy the quiz!! How about a winning team from Sefton for a change????

WEBSITE – www.sefton.mmoc.org.uk – email: sefton@mmoc.org.uk

See you all on Wednesday 15th, the Blue Bell, Barton at 8.00pm.
Keith
KeithSrtn@aol.com
0151 931 2557
07950125498
DISCLAIMER
The Sefton Branch Committee would like to point out that any advice, articles or views expressed in this newsletter, are entirely those of the individual contributors.