Chairs Chatter

This will be the last Chairs Chatter from me, as I'm stepping down from the Committee. However, you can look forward to some titillating instalments from your new Chairman and I'm still loitering around doing all things Observer.

Whilst talking about Observers, I'd like to give a really big thank you to Tony Turner, who has decided reluctantly hang up his Observer boots. Tony is looking to downsize his bike and has recently bought a modest holiday home. He intends to spend the best part of summer at his new home and be an even more fantastic grandad. Once again Tony, thank you for your time, effort and dedication that LAM has received from you.

Congratulations to Steve Davis who has just become LAM’s most recent National Observer.

When you receive this month’s Progress, we will be a few days away from the AGM. As stated in my opening comments, I'm stepping away from Committee and would like to give a truly heart-felt thank you to those on the committee who give up their valuable time and put in so much hard work to make LAM the amazing place it is, I know they will keep up the good work. Also, not forgetting a big thanks to Mark Jaffe who lead the group until he had to step down in June, when I stepped up to the mantle.

The membership will have the opportunity to vote for a new Chairman; there are at present at least two members who have been put forward for the position. Sadly the committee will be losing two other members.

• Matthew Porter who has done brilliantly as this magazine’s editor, producing some amazing reading for the membership. Matthew will be handing the editorship over to Andrew Hill, and a big thanks and welcome to Andrew for stepping up to the plate.
• Phil Kelly who has been webmaster for many a year and thank you for the groups’ brilliant website. Phil is handing the webmaster role over to Mark Clarke, who is currently designing and building our new website.

I attended and assisted with Machine Control Day on a beautiful sunny Sunday at Crystal Palace. A big thanks to Mark Jaffe who allowed us to use the Phoenix training facility, after the DVSA became quite problematic over the use of the Mitcham test centre. As always those who attended learned an awful lot about themselves and their machines.

However, it was disappointing that we had 10 last minute drop-outs from the event. The event is always over-subscribed and gets closed early. Unfortunately, late drop outs leave us with Associates that would have willingly attended but have been denied the opportunity. There is also the financial implication on the group, as the donations requested allow us to break-even on venue costs. This year’s event will run at a loss and be paid for by funds from the group.

A big, big thank you to Jane Harle and Iain Muir-Nelson for the organisation and running of the even and last but not least, all the Observers who gave up their day to assist in delivery.

As always Ride Safe

Ride the System

Steve Pratt Vice-Chairman and interim Chair.