Regional Reps Page

Regional Rep:  Paul Turner.  Email: cumbria-region@mag-uk.org   Phone: 0870 774 355
 

April 2008

Quite a long time has passed since my last update, many reasons, these being house moves, three of, birth of Grandson one of, and my year as being Preident of the Witehaven Rotary Club. For these reasons, and also working, I have not been able to be as involved in MAG as I should have done, however things are to change in six months time as I will be retired and will be getting sent out on a regular basis by Louise who will be fed up with me.

 
MAG Nationally has moved in great leaps and bounds with the employing over 12 months ago of David Short as Campaigns Manager, he has brought with him many contacts and skills which he has put to great use, MAG is now a force to be reckoned with and we are invited to represent the voice of motorcycling in many National Forums. He has been a sound investment.
 
We now have a new General Secretary ,Nich Brown formally of the MCIA, as with David it is hoped that he will bring with him new ideas and it is hoped he again will be an asset to MAG.
 
Nationally we have seen an increase in the numbers of Afilliated clubs which again has a knock on effect of new individual members, we are hovering around the 10k mark with individual numbers. Finances are good so things are looking up.
 
I am hoping to go on the Board of MAG in the next few months as there are vacancies.
 
Anyway key dates for me are
1st July-hand over presedancy of Rotary Club
15th August -Corey's first Birthday
25th'ish October -Last day at work
Early November-retirement Party-all invited
12th November-last day as PC 729

March 2007

Things are looking good at the moment for MAG UK, our new Campaigns Manager is making big inroads in to government at a high level, he has brought with him his many contacts on working groups and has already spoken to groups as representing the face of UK biking and the ONLY representative of Bikers. David presents himself very well and can adapt his manner style and appearance to suit the occasion.

Nationally MAG has seen a minor drop in membership but that always happens in the winter months, the recovery usually takes us back higher than the previous year. Much is happening with a view to helping us at local level recruit members with the introduction of new posters which hopefully between us we can laminate and use at the events we attend.
Locally I have recently attended the Casualty reductions strategy meeting as MAG member and had some interesting discussions.
 
Bike accidents in Copeland have risen, when challenged for more details Dickie Watt stated that although RTC's have increased they are all happening during commuting times and when the bike is at a junction and also when stationary. I made the points asking if that reflects the changing policy on parking at BNFL so more people are getting bikes and also the condition of the surfaces at junctions where HGV's/buses turn smoothing out and damaging surfaces, also dropping fuel and engine oil.  A further breakdown is being  looked at. I stated that what we don't want is campaigns aimed at bikes when the causes of the RTC's are outwith the control of bikes.
 
I am also asking for support for the Roadsafe day at Carlisle, due to changes within Cumbria Police this may well be the last one so lets give it some hammer and get our name out there. Hopefully David Short the Campaigns Manager will be coming along, don't forget its on the 24th June for those who can come along.
 
Again support would be welcome at the next AGC in Lincolnshire but I do appreciate its a long way to travel, a lively debate is expected with two motions being proposed by that great orator Neil Liversidge.
 
Paul Turner
 

October 2006 report
Been quite a busy time for Cumbria and myself this last few weeks, a temp job change has caused some disruption but managed to get some MAG business carried out.

One of the main achievements was being voted in again as RR at the Cumbria AGM, rather poorly attended but this was the day after most members had been helping at the Crab fair. Good to see Steve Wykes attending as observer who said a few words.

Also attended Central as part of the interview panel for Campaigns manager, very interesting and as previously stated four very good and different candidates, be interesting to see how we do, I am sure we will see a very good return for our investment and support the appointment totally.

Also attended the Casualty Reduction Strategy meeting, very interesting as to how they see problems in the area. Mainly they are targeting young car drivers as we have had terrible figures of deaths involving them. They are stepping up targeting them and also making use of ANPR to identify vehicles used by unqualified drivers and vehicles with no insurance, making good use of ANPR.

They are also trying to see if they can fund Pass Plus for new drivers as they are concerned that once someone has passed the test there is no further training. It was quoted that there should be instruction to a similar level to motorbikes.

The Fire service also go round schools with shock videos of actual RTC scenes, bought in from out of the area thank goodness. It would be good to see if there could be some input on motorcycle awareness, going to follow that up.

Handed out "is this the future" leaflets and copies of the "8 pager", it was interesting to see that although they were bundled up in to briefcases as the afternoon wore on and speakers got boring they took them out and started reading them. Comment from one attendee that it was more professional looking than the newspaper style.

I am going to personalise the presentation that Ian Churchlow used and get time to present it at one of the meetings..

With regard to funding, application has gone in for £800 to fund radios. This has gone in to the County Council Neighbourhood Forums, there will be similar in your areas so enquire and apply. (been given £200 from the first forum already)

Main criteria that they seem to look at are
1) local group with members living in their area
2) benefit to that group
3) benefit to the community as a whole

They tend to want to see accounts, annual report is usually enough, constitution-MAG one is fine and local AGM minutes, so get them typed up.

To date we have had funds for Tabards, notice boards and now this one going in for professional quality waterproof two way radios for marshalling community events and our own rides.

Paul

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Just got back in from the Roadsafe day at Carlisle racecourse organised by Cumbria Police.
 
A lot of local members turned up to help on the pitch and as a result  three new members. We showed many existing members that came to us that MAG is alive and well locally.
 
We also gave out a lot of membership forms to very interested and potential new members. One of whom is also a worker for Amey Mouchell who carries proper oil/diesel absorbing material in his van and takes spills very seriously, needless to say he rides a bike.
 
A lot of "networking" i.e. with the Bandit owners club, Suzuki owners club and many others who said "MAG" who or what are they, they got a copy of "the Road", membership form and "is this the Future leaflets" thrust upon them.
 
Like the membership form especially with the campaign info inside, was handy as a MAG info leaflet
 
Also managed to do a TV interview for over 15hrs(well it seemed like hours when it was minutes) for a programme entitled "How safe is my Riding" managed to get in the following points, bearing in mind it was short notice, no preparation
 
How and when MAG was founded, mentioning Fred Hill
Diesel spills
Poor Roads and furniture
SMIDSY-explained  some of the theory and it is an education process that MAG is working on, not only the rider in avoidance techniques but also in educating drivers, mentioned the recent campaign on TV as being a good start
Wire rope barriers-they may well edit out the bit about severed arms and legs but it was interesting as she assumed it was the wires that would do the most harm not the posts
what we do locally
was asked about irresponsible riding, mentioned noisy exhausts and that care should be shown in rural communities and some responsibility to them.
 
One question was "whose responsibility is it to ensure the safety of riders" my reply was the Rider not the Govt
 
The reporter wants to come to a meeting to meet the gang and see what "real" bikers are like.
 
A lot of comments from members that the "new" magazine is good and also from non members that it is of good appearance.
 
All in all a very good day and apart from time and a little cost to MAG, I think this is the way to go, attending local events to sell ourselves.
 
Incidentally we have also just got a new member 17yrs old with a scooter going on to a 125, had a ride out with advanced rider as pillion and couldn't get the grin off his face for hours.
 
 
Paul T

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October 2005 report:

Another good few months in Cumbria the Whitehaven group continue to be busy as always and the Barrow group as well. The regional AGM was held in Askam in Furness and was well attended, observed by Ian Churchlow who was not given as hard a time as last year.  Marshalling was again undertaken at the Annual Crab Fair in Egremont with Ann and Caroline entering the wheelbarrow race and winning the ladies section. We benefit there by having a pitch with a tombola and also a good donation to funds .
Plans are now well ahead for the Christmas run on the 11th December from Keswick to Whitehaven. This year its another two tins run with food being collected for Age Concern and Animal concern. Again well supported by the Barrow group who this year are doing the usual Christmas fancy dress party.
I have also been invited to consult and discuss the signing on Hartside pass. The highways engineer designated to look into the disproportionate number of motorcycle accidents is a biker, rode up there and realised the signing is poor to say the least. He is also wanting to put up new information boards at Devils Bridge and also at Hartside. He found my details on the Cumbria web site, please take a look there as Brian does a good job in maintaining it. www.cumbriamag.co.uk
On the subject of Hartside one of our members Brian Hodgson organised a charity ride at night to the top of Hartside, he managed to get the cafe opened up and raised a substantial amount of money for the Air Ambulance, well done Brian.
 
Anyway the leaves are falling, nice slippery roads, the farmers are making their contribution to as well as diesel, don't you love the smell of fresh diesel at 0615 in the morning as you enter a roundabout in the rain and the dark, really wakes you up!!