ROSPA South Essex closed down

[robinessex]

ROSPA South Essex closed down. Anyone a heads up on this ?



http://www.rospa-southeastessex.org.uk/

Edited by robinessex on Monday 14th May 09:28

[Proteu5]

I may be wrong, but our RoSPA group had to agree to the new constitution that HQ have applied. If their group had to agree to the new constitution, and it was turned down, the group can no longer be affiliated to RoSPA.

[robinessex]

Proteu5 said:

I may be wrong, but our RoSPA group had to agree to the new constitution that HQ have applied. If their group had to agree to the new constitution, and it was turned down, the group can no longer be affiliated to RoSPA.

I tried for about 3 weeks to make contact, before the message re the closure of the Essex group. And an e-mail to head office didn't get a response. Brilliant organisation, I think not!!

[Proteu5]

I would tend to agree with that view of HQ. Many of the groups, however, are different. I that group has disbanded, then the website, which they would have originally paid for themselves, would have closed when the group closed. The group may just have disaffiliated it self from RoPSA, or there may be another group near by for RoSPA, or an advanced driver or riders group not affiliated with RoSPA. Unfortunately, I myself, don't believe that the what used to be RoADAR (RoSPA Advanced Drivers And Rider) part of RoSPA is what it used to be. It did have a very good reputation. RoSPA HQ then decided, with road deaths in decline, that their focus would be turned to other things, thus leaving RoADAR with less of a budget, and therefore also less competitive. They are now going through a re-branding, and a taking a new route to how it used to be done.

I hope you don't loose your interest due to the groups unfortunate move away from RoSPA or closure, and the poor communication skills from the one-person-band at HQ.

[robinessex]

I wanted to contact the group re advanced driving, and taking their gold medal exam. Seems as if nothing has replaced them now they've gone.

[angoooose]

Gold medal?

You've got IAM groups in Chelmsford and NE London (who I think are based around Romford/Ilford), so you could train with them and then do the RoADAR test

[robinessex]

angoooose said:

Gold medal?

You've got IAM groups in Chelmsford and NE London (who I think are based around Romford/Ilford), so you could train with them and then do the RoADAR test

Can't do the test if my local RoADAR group has gone.

[angoooose]

You don't need to belong to a local group to do the RoADAR test:

https://www.roadar.org.uk/applications/application...

I would advise some training before attempting the test, but there's not a great deal of difference between the IAM and RoADAR tests

[robinessex]

With a local group, you can get free training and tuition.

From Rospa website

Training
Anyone who holds a full driving licence can become an advanced driver.

• Please note that you will need a valid and up to date photocard licence before partaking in your test. Failure to do so will result in your test being cancelled. (The old style paper licence will still be accepted without photocard)

We recommend that you receive training in preparation for the test.
Our volunteers provide free advanced driver and rider training!
RoSPA has over 65 local groups available to provide voluntary free advice and advanced training in preparation for your test. Some groups cater only for drivers, others for riders and some can cater for both!
If you wish to start advanced driver training, please contact your local group. You will be asked to join the group, for which there will be a small fee to cover costs. This varies group to group, but may be as little as £20.
Once you have joined the group, training is FREE! The groups are formed of volunteers, so training often happens on weekends and evenings.
Groups have volunteer tutors; they have all passed the advanced test themselves at a high grade and have also been trained and assessed in order to meet the requirements to provide training for the advanced test. They also take retests every three years so you can be sure that you will receive a high level of training.

[angoooose]

But it's not "free" - you have to join the local group. It is cheaper than the IAM, which costs (IIRC) £139 - for which you get membership of a local group, their book/training guide, test fee and a year's IAM membership. To do RoADA,R will cost: group membership (typically £20-30), test fee (about £50), year's RoADAR membership (£29?) and a copy of Roadcraft (£10?). Someone correct me on the exact amounts

The reason it's free - and this applies to IAM too - is because the tutors/observers are not ADIs, they are volunteers, therefore you cannot be charged, and for the same reason, neither organisation "teaches" advanced driving

However, with RoADAR you can just take the test and, assuming you pass, pay the annual membership for the free re-test after 3 years

[robinessex]

Still no local group to me though !!

[waremark]

robinessex said:

Still no local group to me though !!

Have you looked into IAM Roadsmart? The training and test are essentially the same, the training is also free, although the total cost is higher at £149, and there are many more groups so it is likely that your area will be covered.

[robinessex]

Thought about it, but I have heard 'stories' they they're a bit bombastic. It's their way, or wrong!! I tend to be a ‘press on driver’ when the opportunity arises, heard they’re not very accommodating with this. Happy to be shown otherwise of course!!

[angoooose]

robinessex said:

Thought about it, but I have heard 'stories' they they're a bit bombastic. It's their way, or wrong!!

That can apply to either organisation.

robinessex said:

I tend to be a ‘press on driver’ when the opportunity arises, heard they’re not very accommodating with this. Happy to be shown otherwise of course!!

Both organisations will promote adherance to the laws of the road. If you mean you accelerate briskly when leaving a 30 into national - fine, if you mean going as fast as you consider reasonable, regardless of limit, neither organisation will condone.

Whereabouts in the county are you? Both IAM groups will serve a fair radius, and if the RoADAR group has folded, their tutors may have joined the IAM and will observe for them.

[robinessex]

S W Essex

[robinessex]

Just to close this posting. Call to ROSPA head office was (finally) responded to by a female who sounded about as enthusiastic about ROSPA as someone going to the gallows. Suffice to say, ROSPA for car drivers is dead here now, and the man on the moon probably has more idea if it'll be resurrected. The safety of us SW Essex citizens re roads and driving is therefore now in the safe hands of BRAKE!!

[waremark]

robinessex said:

Just to close this posting. Call to ROSPA head office was (finally) responded to by a female who sounded about as enthusiastic about ROSPA as someone going to the gallows. Suffice to say, ROSPA for car drivers is dead here now, and the man on the moon probably has more idea if it'll be resurrected. The safety of us SW Essex citizens re roads and driving is therefore now in the safe hands of BRAKE!!

What about IAM? Were you telling us earlier that there isn't a suitably located IAM group?

[johnao]

waremark said:

robinessex said:

Just to close this posting. Call to ROSPA head office was (finally) responded to by a female who sounded about as enthusiastic about ROSPA as someone going to the gallows. Suffice to say, ROSPA for car drivers is dead here now, and the man on the moon probably has more idea if it'll be resurrected. The safety of us SW Essex citizens re roads and driving is therefore now in the safe hands of BRAKE!!

What about IAM? Were you telling us earlier that there isn't a suitably located IAM group?

robinessex, have you tried contacting The South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists (IAM)?


Extract from their website:

The South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists was formed in 1979 and is based in Hockley, but covers the whole of South Essex.
We are the South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists (SEGAM) - a local group affiliated to the Institute of the Advanced Motorists (IAM). Our registered charity number is 299176. We exist to represent the IAM in our area, we also train people in preparation for the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Driving Test. Our group is principally a car group although we can assist with most driving requirements.

They can be contacted at:

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/groups/southessexam/g...


PS: All Rospa and IAM groups are set up and run by volunteers outside of the main organisation. Consequently, Rospa will have no idea if there is anyone ready, willing and able to start up either a replacement group or a new group in any area until such time as some one approaches the main organisation with a request to do so. Neither Rospa nor the IAM will take the initiative in setting up local groups to be run by volunteers.

[PhilAsia]

angoooose said:

You don't need to belong to a local group to do the RoADAR test:

https://www.roadar.org.uk/applications/application...

I would advise some training before attempting the test, but there's not a great deal of difference between the IAM and RoADAR tests

Correct. I have taken the RoARDAR test. Secured Gold. No observed drives, no training. Just attention to "the System of Car Control" outlined in Roadcraft. If you have been paying attention to your drive, remain familiar with the Highway Code and RTA, then it shouldn't be a huge hurdle.

[angoooose]

Perhaps I was too subtle pointing out that IAM groups in Chelmsford and East London could cover out towards Southend.

Or perhaps robinessex isn't prepared to put in that little extra effort to deal with a group that isn't on his doorstep?