NW Report December-January 2012

10th December: - MAG NC Meeting Warwick

I attended the NC meeting at MAG HQ. Minutes of meeting will be available on MAG UK web-site. http://www.mag-uk.org

10th January: - North Manchester Alliance Meeting

Main topic for discussion was the forming of the Motorcycle Alliance Party with the aim to fund a candidate for the Police Commissioner Elections due to take place in November 2012. I had also managed to collect a full car load of clothes bags from local MAG groups which were collected by Paul Redfern in aid of the Blood Bikes, Manchester. Paul informed the meeting that they had raised enough funds to buy their first bike and had also had just received charity status.

13th-15th January: - Manchester Central National Bike Show-

After no show in 2011, the Manchester National Bike Show was once again back at the Manchester Central (formerly G-Mex) Exhibition Centre Attendance was good over the two day event. The MAG stand was one of the main attractions as it hosted the latest creation of MAG member Grobo, his superbly crafted Sprinter Chop. The bike and slogan, “Enjoy while you can, Europe want to ban” stimulated lively discussion and plenty of new and renewed memberships were taken over the two day event..

24th January: - RSBS Meeting Leyland House, Leyland

Their was favourable reports on the presentation that Paddy gave at the Road Safety Great Britain meeting in Runcorn on the 17th January. Paddy gave the GAG presentation and two of the RSBS forum members were in attendance. Feedback from Paddy indicates that it all went well.
            Rob Winn, motorcycling road safety adviser for Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group, explained that Core 6 standards from DSA are now in force and lay down the standards required of the instructor. These standards cover teaching, qualification levels especially for post-test training, CPD, behaviours etc. All previous standards (Core 1 – 5) have been about the "job”, Core 6 is about the "Instructor" and the expectations thereof and represent a massive step forward in terms of regulation. Post Test regulation is oncoming and will make demands on trainers who operate within this field. Membership of the DSA's Register of Post Test Motorcycle Trainers (RPMT) is likely to become mandatory, necessitating completion of an approved qualification course. The cost of this alone has implications for all Trainers

Other news from around the region

The NW stall is desperately in need of replacement as many years of getting battered by the weather at various events has stripped the hinges in the frame. The NW committee has sourced a new all weather 6m x 3m stand and are planning on using NW regional funds to purchase it at £550. These funds do include revenue from the sale of the Sept 25th T-shirts, but by using this money it will save having to use any of the proceeds from last years Fun n Frolics Rally. Blackpool MAG will then be able to raise a cheque for £2000 to be handed over at AGC.

We now have a new Manchester MAG Rep; Jimmy Torrance who is also the Chairman of the newly formed Motorcycle Alliance Party. As of 1st of February 2012, The Motorcycle Alliance Party is an official major registered political party of the UK able to fight in all elections as per the regulations of The Electoral Commission. It is open to all motorcyclists past and present for membership and for those who will follow the constitution of the party to open a branch and fight an elections local - national - EU or Police Commissioner in any area of representation of England - Scotland & Wales. Hopefully this topic will be discussed further at NC meeting.

Blackpool MAG members are busy getting the rally organised and Red Rose MAG will be hosting the 7th NW Fred Hill run next weekend. Not heard much from Morecambe & Lancaster or Wirral & Chester of late but hopefully will get chance to pop down to their meetings once I get my future employment secured which is of high priority at the moment.

See you all at the weekend,

Tony Cox
NW Regional Rep.