South West Truckers

Britain's Premier Truckers Club

Competition!!

The South West Truckers website is running a competition for members trucks wherever in the world you may be.  Please send in your photos complete with SWT sun Strip in the window (if possible) for your chance to be the featured Truck of the Month on the home page.  Please send all entries to swtwebmaster@hotmail.com in jpeg or gif format for your chance to win.

News From The Areas

Area 3

AREA 3 NEWS

A well attended meeting this month with 28 people there and as usual Scoobie did us proud with a lovely hot buffet. There was a couple of complaints that there was no cottage pie or faggots so we will put that right next time.


There was not a lot on the agenda, mainly grievances from other areas about the truck judging at Truckfest. We discussed this and decided that if the show happens next year we will make changes. These changes will be put into the magazine for two months before the next show.


Suggestions were also put forward as to how we can raise money for central. A couple of these were perhaps the driving competition could incorporate a boot sale. There seems to us to be enough room. If only 20 boots turned up, at �5 each that would raise �100 and perhaps the food and drinks could be run by members as well. We think it would add more interest for the people that are not driving. Another suggestion was for each area to hold skittles nights with proceeds going to central funds and perhaps the best players from each area to play for club champion at a central venue. These are only suggestions, but may be worth discussing at the next central meeting.


On the subject of fundraising, even after a very quiet weekend, we actually raised �361 for Help for Heroes at Truckfest . Well done to everyone who helped. Maybe we could present the cheque at the Area 4 Country and Western evening.


Don�t forget, those of us going to Torquay in November must have the balance of the money paid by or at the October meeting. There is no meeting in September as nearly everyone who attends meetings will be on holiday. There will only be about six people left. The next meeting will be on October 3rd.   

 

THE BRINNY

I cant remember too much about the actual story because there was shouts of vote rigging and fix from the floor. There were three nominations and the first was Martin Goss. He did not get it last meeting because he wasn�t there so it was held over. On our caravan holiday Martin, Peter and myself went to Brixham to do a bit of fishing off the breakwater. Martin drove. On the way back out of Brixham we entered a one way system and come to a crossroads. We told Martin to go straight across but he turned left and we ended up doing a six mile detour and came out on the ring road half a mile out of Brixham. He did not win for that though. The next nomination was for me getting my stroppy head on, when, on said fishing trip because I didn�'t catch any fish. Then there was Wendy Reynolds who had caught a little sun on her back while out in the garden. She gave Jim a bottle of substance and asked him to rub it on her back. As it was the right colour and consistence Jim did as she asked. The next day Wendy went to the pool for a swim with her daughter Dawn. As she was going through the water she was being followed by a stream of bubbles and then the penny dropped. The stuff she had asked Jim to rub on her back was shower gel. She blames it on the fact she didn�'t have her glasses on and Jim said he just did what he was told. The vote was a draw between Wendy and myself so as chairman I got the casting vote, only I wasn'�t allowed because I would certainly have voted for Wendy, so the job went to the vice chairman, Lofty. He thankfully voted for Wendy and it was well deserved as hers was a lot funnier than mine. Also, if I had won I would have had to take Raymond to Benidorm.

 

BIRTHDAYS

SEPTEMBER 30TH ---------- JAMES REYNOLDS

 

ANNIVERSARIES

SEPTEMBER 9TH ------------ MARTIN & PAULINE GOSS

SEPTEMBER 30TH ---------- JAMES & WENDY REYNOLDS

 

THE NEXT MEETING IS ON OCTOBER 3RD OUR AGM THE VENUE WILL BE CONFIRMED IN THE NEXT MAG.

 

My parents were so bad at discussing sex with me when I was a young teen. One day I saw two dogs mating in the street and I asked my mum what they were doing. �Dancing� she replied, so the first school disco I went to, I got expelled.

 

Bye for now----------- FRANK


 

Area 4


AREA 4 NEWS SEPTEMBER 2009.

 

MEETING TOWN ARMS SOUTH MOLTON.

 

We had quite a good attendence, 16 people which is a few above the number  we have most times.  Good to have John & Anglia Hill also Ian & Lyn Cuthbertson and Wayne Colton plus two more of our younger members with us.

  All the comments from our younger members about Truckfest were disscused at the last Central Meeting. The results of that discussion were given to them, which they were happy with providing  the few changes they asked for could be made.

   August seems to be one of our busiest months, Meeting, Sponsored Walk, Bingo, and a Cream Tea afternoon, trying to support all of them means checking the diary to make sure we are not double booked, sometimes we seem to pile on the events a bit, which would not be too bad if the support was spread out a bit more.

John Hill asked where can you get the insurance cover we have for £17 a year, no one could answer that question, and the younger members present said they would not object to paying £20 to be a member.

   The meeting was a little disappointed that John Denfords suggestion to Central was not received with much enthusiasm that when a member reaches 75 and can no longer get insurance cover, they pay a fee of �10,  which gives them all the same rights as a fully paid up member of South West Truckers who have insurance, the fee would at least help to cover the cost of the magazine. With some members now getting near to the cut off age for insurance perhaps we ought to be looking at a way of keeping them in the club, and making sure that they are  permitted  to play a full part in the club, and are able to continue to give the club their support and experience and still play their vital part in the running of  the club they have been involved in for many years. There was an advert some years ago saying Your Country Needs You , to all who are nearing the no insurance cover age Your Club Still Needs You.

    While we were in the Town Arms Keith asked about our Christmas Dinner which we have before our December Meeting, the charge would be £14.50 per person, May asked Keith if perhaps the Landlady would do it for £14, when asked she agreed to do it for £14 per person.  It was good value for the money last year, in fact we could not eat all that was brought to the table. The menu will be Starters. Vegetable Soup,  Fruit Juice, or Prawn Cocktail. The main course will be Roast Turkey, Sweets, Christmas Pudding, Trifle, or Cheese & Biscuits plus Tea or Coffee, watch this space for the details of time and date to book your place.

 

CHAPELTON RALLY. September 19th & 20th September.

 

Always a very enjoyable weekend, a time to promote the club and meet many old friends which we see each year. James Short will be there with his lorry and the usual food drinks and a chance to spend some money will be on offer. A lot of hard work goes into this event so please give it your support.

 

BOB SAMPSON'S TRACTOR RUN.

 

Area 4 sent some sponsor money to Bob towards The Cancer |Research and North Devon Hospice which he drove his Tractor from JohnO'Groats to Lands End to raise money for. Well done Bob we have been keeping in touch with your progress on the Internet.

 

DINNER DANCE ROYAL FORTESCUE BARNSTAPLE 28th  Nov.  7 for 7.30

 

The tickets are going quite well so if you wish to attend this very popular event ring Keith now.

Tickets for the Dinner are £22. If you want B&B that is £23 per person.

Please make all cheques payable to Mrs E Palfreyman .      This is the 20th year that Keith & Liz have organised our Dinner Dance, always spot on.

 

CHILDRENS CONVOY SEPTEMBER 5th.

 

Meeting at Seven Brethren Lorry Park Barnstaple, going to The Milky Way .

Progress is being made, lorries are beginning to come in and sponsorship as well.

Table Table at Barum Gate have chosen High Field House Child Development Centre Childrens Convoy as their charity this year, they are doing very well, whatever they raise up to �750 the company who own them will double that amount. The Police have agreed to send two Motor Patrol Officers to escort the convoy, press and other important people have been invited to attend.

   We would like to have the lorries there by about 9am please, this gives us time to have the photos taken before we move off at 10am returning at about 4.30. There will be a Double Decker bus   (Open top weather permitting) to take anyone who wants to go to the Milky Way without their car.

 

BIRTHDAYS FOR SEPTEMBER 2009.

 

5th.       Michael Yates.

7th.       Olive Dixon.

9th.       Phyllis Denfod.

13th.     Jamie Palfreyman.

18th.     Lyn Cuthberson.

18th.     John Denford.

23rd.     Steve King.

24th.     Marc Avery.

26th.     Alan White.

29th.     Grahame Brown.

 

ANNIVERSARY�S SEPTEMBER 2009.

 

6th.        Pete & Nadine Jeffrey.

9th.        Wayne & Claire Binding.

16th.      Robert & Sharon Webber.

 

DIARY OF EVENTS.

 

September 5th Childrens Convoy

September 5th Meeting Jack Russell Swimbridge.7.30pm. Buffet.

October 3rd Meeting Ebrington Arms Knowle.7.30 Buffet

October 31st Country & Western Westward Ho. 8pm.

November 7th Meeting Swan Inn Bideford.7.30 Buffet.

November 28th Dinner Dance Royal Fortescue Barnstaple 7 for 7.30

 

Noah was an amateur. The Titanic was made by experts.

 

Put a FOR SALE sign in your front garden and you�ll be amazed how friendly your neighbours become.

 

The main difference between a man and a boy is the cost of his toys.

 

Drive safe support your club Eddie.

 

 

  


                       

 

Area 5

No news this month folks

 

Area 6

AREA 6 (CORNWALL).  NEWS

We start the news with some congratulations.

To Andy and Liza on the birth of Victoria Anne Balkwill.  Also to Emily and Robert Palmer on their marriage on 17th August.  To those who have been awarded trophies or awards as follows:  Richard Palmer for the under 1 year old class at Truckfest, also for going in to the ring and being awarded a finalist certificate.  Richard Vanstone, again at Truckfest for coming 3rd in the over 3 year old.  Adam Walter also at Truckfest for receiving a highly commended certificate.  In the driving competition at Hatherleigh:  Steve Ivy 1st in the Arctic class and Richard Vanstone 3rd.  Mike Ivey 3rd in the rigid class, and Steve Ivy for the Lucy Locket Trophy.  Well done to all.


TREASURE HUNT & BAR-B-Q

Confirmed as September 12th with a 2pm start from Greenaways.  Parking at the end will be in the car boot sale field with a short walk to Pete�s for the bar-b-q, you have to comply with this or you will miss the final clue.  Dont forget to bring your favourite tipple yourself, to drink at the bar-b-q.  There will be a raffle so if you wish to donate any prizes, all will be welcome.  Everyone is welcome, Members, Family and Friends, old or young, so bring them all along.  Those who have done one of these before will know what an enjoyable afternoon and evening they are, so come along and enjoy yourselves.  Proceeds from the day will go to club funds.


QUIZ NIGHT

This has been booked for October 31st so pop that date in your diary.  Last years was a great success and this year promises to be the same.  Just to keep you all on your toes there will be some new question masters for this year.  Further details to follow.

 

Dave won the right for the key, went for the box and luck was with him.  In a fantastic gesture he promptly donated the winnings to charity, nice one Dave, well done.

 

Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Pete and Angie Jolliffe for the recent passing of Pete�s mum.

 

The next meeting will be on September 5th at Stoke Climsland sports club, you cant miss it as it is right in the middle of the village.  Tony Stocks will hopefully be there to give us some info on an event he has been planning and working on, this will be of interest to all so make sure you don�t miss it.

James

Professional Drivers Foundation

 

Text Box: www.pda-uk.org                        

 

Supporting Drivers    

 
 

 

 

 

 

 


Press Release for publication

 

The Professional Drivers Association is proud to announce the launch of The Professional Drivers Foundation on January 1st 2009.

 

The PDA has felt for a long time that there is a very real need for a charitable body to support professional lorry drivers.

 

There are 319,000 vocational licence holders in the UK and 18% of these are aged 55yrs and above.


Almost 13,000 per year are forced to cease driving HGV's as a result of ill health, accidents or death.

 

The PDA recognises the need to provide a formal mechanism of support for its Members, and indeed, for the HGV driving community as a whole.

 

Benefits may come as financial assistance to help alleviate hardship, or be in the form of advice and help with retraining, to return to some type of paid work.

 

A network of experienced Almoners will be on hand to visit and assist with advice and application forms for benefits etc., or even just to listen.

 

The Professional Drivers Foundation will be run as a Charity and will be registered as such as soon as the necessary requirements are met.

 

Our team of Almoners will operate throughout the UK and we are actively looking for anyone who is happy to volunteer to undertake this roll.

 

Benefits will be available to any vocational licence holder for which a medical standard has to be reached, although extra benefits may be available to anyone who has shown dedication and support for their profession previously.

 

All requests for assistance will be considered individually by the board of Trustees and will be dependant upon the funds available and the type of help required.

 

More information can be found at www.pdafund.org  launching on 1st January 2009. On here you will be able to make a donation to the charity, volunteer your help or contact someone to ask for assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Professional Drivers Foundation supports drivers, and in doing so, goes where no-one else has gone.

Please help us by donating and offering help, to support these Knights of the Road when they need it most.

 

 

The Professional Drivers Foundation can also be contacted by post to:

 

Professional Drivers Foundation  The Oak Tree,    Garton on the Wolds,  Driffield,  East Yorks. YO25 3EU

 

Or by email to: theoaktreegarton@aol.com

 

The Board of Trustees consists of

 

President:           Mr Simon Brett

Chairman:          Mrs Pat Nicholson

Secretary:           Mr Matthew Harrison

Treasurer:           Mrs Helen Rayner

Trustee:              Mr Ian Ratcliffe

Trustee:              Mr John Bramwells

 

Note for Media:

PR Contact: Pat Nicholson 07909 995615 or email pat.nicholson@tiscali.co.uk