Last Weeks AGM

Last week saw the groups AGM where members gathered to congratulate members who have given their all and contributed to the groups efforts.

Celebrated Awards went to:

The Stan Hawkins Award

The Stan Hawkins Certificate of Merit was present to Max Power - Congratulations.

Max Power receiving the Stan Hawkins award from Chairman Linda Davies

Chairmans Award

Two were issued this year, these went to John Mills and John Bowman. Congratulations to both gentleman. 

Chairman Linda Davies presenting the Chairmans Award to John Mills

John Bowman receiving his Chairmans award.

Certificates of Appreciation for 25 Years of Observing

Went to John Mills. Congratulations. 

John Mills proudly receives his award for 25 Years of Observing

After the celebrations the Chairman, Linda Davies delivered her report. Here are the main points.

• At a recent IAM Forum meeting we learned that of the 92,000 IAM members only 20,000 belong to any Group.  The Chairman was pleased to advise that Mid Kent continues to maintain a healthy membership.  At the moment the Mid-Kent group has 509 Members comprising 468 full members and 41 Associates. Thanks went out to Richard Thomas who has done an outstanding job as Membership Secretary.
• The work on DVD 1 was unfortunately delayed due to the appalling weather and a new driver needed to be recruited. The Chairman was pleased to confirm that this is now underway again and should be in use later this year
• The Chairman also explained that the Lecture Team also give up their free time to go out to other organisations as speakers helping to attract new associates. 
• A formal welcome was extended to the latest Lecture Team member Pam Medlock and on behalf of the Group thanks went out to the the entire Lecture Team for the Professional lectures that we now enjoy on Sunday mornings
• The Chairman explained that 22 new Associates took advantage of a discounted offer for Skill for Life course and expressed a wish to bring back the offer later in the year.
• Test results since the last AGM including the Alternative Course: 63 Associates have started, 3 dropped out, 28 are still in training,and 4 are awaiting their test. Of the 28 that have taken the test 24 have passed and 4 have failed.
• This gives us a pass rate of 86% which is a 4% improvement on last year and is now higher than the National average.
• The group also now have 4 F1rst's in the group - congratulations went out to those members.
• On April 6th we again hosted an Observer Training Day which was attended by The Regional Training Team. A special thanks as always to Christine for the all day refreshments served and really excellent lunch which was enjoyed by all.
• The Chairman continued with thanks on behalf of all associates the Senior Observer team, Training Officers and all Observer's for their outstanding efforts with Sunday runs and out of hours runs which in total exced 200 extra hours.
• Terry Nunn our Associate Co-ordinator was also thanked for the hard work he puts in 7 days a week organising the Associates. He is effectively the voice of the Group usually being the first point of contact. He ensures that associates remember to attend and reminds them not to come by train as they actually need to bring their cars.
• Thanks was also extended Neil Regan at the signing in desk and Tony Willson for conducting the eye sight tests. Both these gentlemen help to ensure the safety of our Observers on the road
• Our outside Events Team continue to promote Mid Kent at every opportunity and so far have attended:- Kaslers Highways to Hell Seminar, Kent County Show (despite the worst muddiest conditions ever) Maidstone Hospital Fete, Maidstone Mela Day, Sittingbourne Dog Track, Bearsted Green Classic Car Event, Gravesend Fire & Rescue Event and Heritage Cars at the Detling Showground
• Recruitment stands were also manned at both the Winter Driving and Defensive Driving evenings
• The Chairman expressed her thanks to Phil Mason, Alan Rowe and all the team who have struggled against the elements at many of those events - an excellent job well done.
• Vauxhall have been running a series of evening events for Ladies only so the group now has a team which attends these. Thanks Val and Margaret
• Since the last AGM 7 skid pan training sessions have taken place with another 3 already booked. Thanks was extended to Mick Cranfield for his boundless enthusiasm.
• Turning to the groups blog, Linda reported that the article on Neil Lakeland's training experience generated some 800 hits in one day, after Neil used Twitter to spread the word about his experience. Chiswick included a link in their monthly email newsletter after hearing of his experience. Thanks went out to Neil.
• February saw the biggest number of people taking a look at our Blog entries - just over 1800. In total, since the last AGM we've had 11075 hits. Thanks were extended to David Hill and Graham Aylard for keeping the group in the public eye online.
• Social Secretary Max Power has arranged some excellent speakers over the past year these include IAM examiner Lester Parsons,  Dr Diane Gyia senior lecturer at Loughborough University on Driving Ergonomic our very own David Cooper, Chief Constable of Kent Police Ian Learmonth, Sgt Miles Bishop from the Police Crash Investigation Unit and Supt Andrea Bishop as well as arranging Winter and Defensive Driving Evenings and our very own popular Christmas Quiz night and Christmas Dinner.
• Outside Social events includes Greyhound Racing in Sittingbourne. support a Charles Dickens Charity Event held at The Central Theatre in Chatham in aid of Great Ormond St Children'sHospital which raised in excess of £6000. and a visit to the Tower of London to see the Famous Ceremony of the Keys.
• Thanks was extended for the hard work and support the Committee gave with Linda adding "it has been a pleasure to work with you" and further thanks to Vice-Chairman Max Power and Secretary Val Power adding "you have been excellent Ambassadors for the Group thank you so much for all your help"
• A special thanks to Christine for the superb refreshments throughout the year on the Sunday runs and evening events, especial the quiz evening - the aroma of home made Mince Pies being freshly baked on the premises during the evening was just too much for many. The Chairman added " I succumbed to at least 3!"
• Last but not least thanks go to our dynamic Treasurer Daren Bubb for keeping a tight grip on our purse strings and ensuring that the Group maintained our Charitable aims.

Supt Andrea Bishop of Kent Police presents a certificate to Sandra Wilson who recently passed her Advanced test 

The evening was followed by Supt Andrea Bishop, who gave us an interesting insight to her career in Kent Police. Before departing, Supt Andrea Bishop was given the pleasure to award Sandra Wilson her Pass Certificate. Congratulations.

Chairman Linda Davies presents flowers of thanks to Supt Andrea Bishop of Kent Police for her talk and insight to her career and some of the tasks and challenges Kent Police face.