In 1997, West Wales was a RoADAR 'desert' - there was no group west of Cardiff. So John Davies, a Silver member who was Safety Officer at Swansea University, contacted H.Q. with a view to forming a RoSPA group after a previous attempt had foundered.

H.Q. asked two local Gold members if they'd attend an inaugural meeting at the University and be the Group's Observers. There was a full house and most people opted for tuition but only one Observer was able to give the necessary time to the new group. Bernard Murphy was one of the first pupils to take the Test and passed with Gold at his first attempt, never relinquishing it. He is our Publicity Officer and an Approved Tutor. He and Ivor Evans, the Observer, are the only members of the 1997 group who remain. With another Gold member they nursed the group through a few famished years, when "very keen" drivers dropped out.

Bernard produced Publicity material in the form of leaflets and posters which we used to create local interest. We wrote to local secondary schools and sixth-form colleges but response was disappointing, with most head teachers failing to reply. Our membership declined until we had three Observers and a handful of pupils, most of whom left on passing their tests. However, we had been successful in that every pupil passed at the first attempt, with most at Gold level, some at Silver and only two at Bronze.

In 2004, we held a well-attended meeting at the "Cape Horner" pub in Swansea. Steve Dancy, recently-retired Chairman, Norman Anthony, Treasurer, and Norman Sleep all attended and joined, becoming Approved Tutors which gave us more people to share the tuition and administration. The group flourished and membership increased. A "sister" group was established in St. Clears but, despite great efforts by the Tutor, it has withered. Now drivers and riders from the far west of Wales to Newport in the east come to us for tuition. We renewed our leafletting of schools and sixth-form colleges and as a result were able to deliver an illustrated talk to local sixth-formers (one of them gained a Bronze pass at age 18). We provided a stand at the Swansea Council's Safety Conference in Swansea University, and attracted a lot of interest over the two days, gaining several members for car and motor-cycle tuition. Then our membership declined again.

But - In 2008 - The Bikers happened.

Russell Widlake was an Assessor with 'BikeSafe'. He joined us and soon revitalised the group, attracting a number of 'BikeSafe' riders to us. One of his fellow-Assessors at 'BikeSafe' is Bob Rees and, like Russell, he became an Advanced Tutor. Previously, we had sent all enquiries for bike tuition to Cardiff. Now the focus has switched to Swansea and, with Cardiff being short of Bike Tutors, they send enquirers (and Tutors) to us. From a very local, University-based, group in 1997, we now have pupils from across the breadth of South Wales.

The 'BikeSafe' influx brought more members, shown by these figures comparing membership numbers from 2007 and the present:

Car	Full	Assoc	A.T’s	Bike	Full	Assoc	A.T’s
2007	8	10	8		1		1
2011	18	31	7		23	69	10

 

Of the ten motorcycle Tutors, five are Advanced Tutors, and many are 'BikeSafe' Assessors; a tribute to their efforts and commitment. Assessors, who wear high-visibility jackets with the "BikeSafe" logo, must be RoADAR Gold riders and are examined every year. This year the Chief Police Superintendent of South Wales presented the Assessors with an award for their contribution to Road Safety. Our members organised several rides this year, visiting Aberystwyth, Portmeirion and the Birmingham Motorcycle Show. Their four-day, 1500 mile trip to Scotland and back has become an annual event.

Recent enquiries from the Blood Riders group promise a further increase in membership when they join us to enhance their skills through RoADAR Advanced Training.

Bob Rees, present Chairman, and Andy Francis, the Fire Service Training Officer, invited us to use a room and facilities at the Morriston Fire Station. It was easier to find than the rooms we'd previously used so we were pleased to accept and were based there for a few months. We now use the Fire Service's Training Facility at Earlswood, just under the M4 flyover at junction 42 for our meetings.

In August, we borrowed the RoADAR tent for a stand at the Fire Service's annual "Ladies' Driving Challenge" day at Pembrey Airfield, set up tables and placed on them leaflets and booklets produced by Bernard and Andy. Bob Harris, Approved Tutor, set up his laptop and played DVDs of Advanced Driving and Commentary. Wendy Parry produced a 6' x 2' professional banner of strong plastic with brass eyelets by which we tied it to the fence alongside the eye-catching tent. The day was successful in raising our profile and giving us the impetus to attend similar events.

The Fire Service has welcomed us under their Road Safety remit and Bob Rees has spoken on Advanced Riding, analysing the five (IPSGA) aspects of the system. Car drivers had to try to see events through a motorcyclist's eyes. This has provoked energetic discussion and acceptance, sometimes reluctant, of unfamiliar points of view.

We have close links with the South Wales Police Force. We are especially lucky to have the sympathetic support of Former Class One Police Patrol Driver, Mike Kersey, who offers vital, authoritative advice and guidance without ever being heavy-handed. We have also had talks from PC Kevin Garner, a Police Motorcycle Patrol Rider. There is always more to learn.

All of us involved in Advanced Riding and Driving should acknowledge the importance of the contribution to Road Safety of all the Associates studying and practising to pass an Advanced Driving or Riding test.

South West Wales RoADAR is an energetic and effective influence, promoting Road Safety and improving the standard of riding and driving in the South Wales area. The future is bright.