Posts by: National Social Media

Kop Hill Climb Festival receives Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

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Kop Hill Climb Festival (KHCF) volunteers have been recognised with the accolade of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) 2020, the highest honour bestowed upon local volunteer groups to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. 

It is the equivalent of the MBE for such organisations. KHCF is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious Award this year.

KHCF is run by over 300 dedicated volunteers over a weekend in September. Located in the Chiltern Hills outside Princes Risborough, the event is a revival of an historic annual hill climb for motorcars and motorcycles which dates from 1910. 

Volunteers plan all year round to offer the 12,000 visitors an inspiring weekend with a wonderful array of vehicles and good value for money entertainment options for the whole family. 

Since the first revival in 2009, the event has raised over £750,000 for local charities and good causes. At its heart, KHCF has always aimed at preserving the spirit originally created by those dedicated amateurs over a century ago. For many, it is considered to be the most genuine and quintessential classic motoring event in the country, often referred to as “a garden party with cars”.

BMMC Vice President Chris Hobson said: “BMMC has been involved from the very first days of the event when I was asked to provide marshals for the hill.

“BMMC has been running the hill and paddock for every one of the eleven events held since the re-inauguration. Those marshals who have been volunteers at KHCF have been a fantastic representation of the marshalling fraternity – almost without exception every comment has been of how pleasantly and effectively you have carried out your duties.

“Some have been with me at the event ever since that first one in 2009, some are relatively new to the event.  Whether you have helped at all eleven, or just one, you can be very proud of the way you have represented BMMC and Motorsport UK to the many thousands of people who have taken part in or attended the event.”

Green Flag!

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While lockdown restrictions are gradually easing, I am sure many of you are still facing the same challenges – home schooling, different working hours, long meetings on Zoom, home exercising, not exercising and in some cases, loneliness and grieving.  And as we move towards the restart of Motorsport this different way of working and living will continue for some time yet.  

It’s all going to be a bit strange – alien even – new rules for signing on, managing equipment and WhatsApp groups for reporting!  We are going to be learning new ways of working and it will be a joint effort between clubs, venues, events and officials.

So things might go wrong or not be as you imagined.  Please discuss with clubs, Chief Marshals, COVID19 Officer, your local Committee or me! 

Please don’t take to Social Media – remember EVERYONE reads this.  

We want to show the U.K. public we can bring back Motorsport in a safe and controlled way otherwise we will be back in lockdown again without any sport taking place.

POINTS TO NOTE

  1. The Motorsport UK guidelines have been written for clubs and venues to implement.  The clubs will determine how they implement and communicate to officials.
  2. Venues will endeavour to prepare and maintain enhanced hygiene standards before, during and after events.  Please assist by following signage / instructions and leaving places as you wish to find them (e.g. toilets, litter bins etc.)
  3. Where necessary stay in your vehicles, maintain social distancing, reduce car sharing with people from other households and wash your hands regularly!
  4. Volunteering – manning levels at venues have been determined by venues with Motorsport UK agreement.  It is two per post but these may be a combination of PC, Flag or incident depending on venue.  Clubs will select accordingly.  I don’t envy the selectors – tough job!  Their selection decisions to reduce numbers will lead to some disappointment I am sure.  Post allocation process will be advised by the Chief marshal – so ensure you understand the exact location to stand as this ensures social distancing measures maintained.

As government restrictions lift we expect the guidelines to change as well.

  • Declaration – this will be electronic before each event and can be found on Motorsport UK website here [each club will advise their own process for you to complete]
  • On the day
    • Incidents – a thumbs up is required from a driver to indicate all is well.  
      • Do not touch or enter a vehicle unless you have the correct PPE
      • Do attend to fires, direct drivers and only assist pushing where practicable and PPE is used.
    • Equipment – follow directions from the organisers reference equipment provided, sanitisation, use during the day and returning when task completed.
    • PPE – most clubs will provide specific PPE where necessary.  Recommended – face coverings, spare gloves, hand sanitiser for your own personal use.  And don’t forget to dispose correctly (preferably take home with you)
    • If you feel unwell during the day – contact Race Control and advise.  Return equipment where possible and leave the circuit as soon as practicable.  Keep the Chief Marshal advised of updates to condition after event – especially if COVID-19 symptoms
    • And remember maintain social distance (2m is still the rule – 1m plus where this isn’t possible) and wash hands regularly (did I say that again?!)
  • PRCs will not be signed at the event.  Please record the details of your attendance and this will be checked with Chief Marshals if required.  

We have had a new delivery of snoods arrive – black and orange available from our National Regalia Officer.  Please contact Eric Ridler directly.

We are awaiting the arrival of BMMC branded face masks – we have ordered a limited quantity to gauge interest but we can re-order.  These will cost £6.15 + p&p each and are washable for re-use.  These are not medical grade but meet guidelines for when social distancing can not be maintained.  We hope you find these useful additions to the Teamwear catalogue – due in stock next week.  Watch the website.

The Club is mindful that members have paid full subscriptions for 2020 and yet the opportunity to participate will only commence from 4th July and with restricted numbers at events many will perhaps feel short changed. This would be particularly understandable for new members joining this year, trainees and rally marshals. I want to assure you all that Council will be looking to address this later in the year when our financial position can be more accurately determined.

Finally, our priority remains to keep you safe and well and so please make sure you stay vigilant, follow the required Covid-19 protocols and help prevent the spread of the virus.

It’s time to go racing…..

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The restart of the motorsport season following lockdown is going to be a whole new learning curve for many of us. This coming weekend I will be commentating on the Austrian Grand Prix from Silverstone while just down the road from my home, one of the first national club meetings of the year takes place at Snetterton.

All events are taking place behind closed doors with no spectators allowed, but for those of us involved in the infrastructure, we are going to have to adapt our methods and learn as we go.

Normally I would be part of a crew of around 25 people at the grand prix, from cameramen to riggers, sound engineers and the presenting team. This time we will operate remotely from the Silverstone Experience museum which will give us an atmospheric backdrop but keep us away from the F1 paddock.

Distancing is something we are all becoming used to; whether it’s two metres at the supermarket or hundreds of miles between family members, yet we can still communicate effectively thanks to many of the systems in place, and I firmly believe that motorsport can pick up again in this new format and provide huge enjoyment for participants and fans alike.

Those of us who love the sport also tend to enjoy cars and driving in general, and something we all learn through dealing with traffic on the roads is the importance of space. Dropping back from a slow-moving truck gives you the room to see if there’s a gap to overtake, moving out of a tight queue in the third lane of a motorway gives you more time to react if someone jams on the brakes.

At a circuit, awareness of gaps is crucial; a racing driver needs instantly to assess whether there is room to pass a piece of debris on the tarmac while marshals are constantly checking gaps between leaders and backmarkers to decide on blue flags, or positioning cars accurately in tightly formed assembly areas.

We are accustomed to checking distances, and unlike so many of the customers in supermarkets who appear to be oblivious to the rules that have been imposed, in my opinion the motorsport scene is naturally geared up for it and will cope accordingly. 

Yes, there are other aspects of protection that matter, such as the wearing of masks and careful cleaning. But we’re all used to putting on some sort of special equipment, from crash helmets to protective overalls, and from my early days as a car polishing ‘gofer’ the importance of cleanliness in the racing environment struck home.

So as motorsport re-launches across Europe, I think we can use our awareness to help it blossom in the late summer. If we get it right, prospects are high for a decent season to enjoy. Yes, there will be difficult moments when we have to readjust our perspective and operate in a slightly strange way. But ultimately we can get the show on the road and lift every petrolhead’s spirits (including our own) just a little higher.

Ben Edwards
BMMC President

Volunteering is go!

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We have updated the volunteering database to current available information and will continue to update as necessary.  Some dates have only been confirmed this week as clubs return their staff from furlough.  The plan is still to start Motorsport on 4 July so your help and support in volunteering would be much appreciated.

Please can I request that everyone updates their availability as soon as possible for July and August meetings at least by next weekend (27 / 28 June).  I am aware that British F1 decisions on marshals for the two dates in August will be advised next week to individuals which may alter some of your plans.

Clubs will be looking to meet the maximum number of marshals in the most practical way – and therefore some of you may be disappointed at not being selected.  Hopefully this will be short-term and everyone will be able to go to every event in the near future – but not now.  Please respect the clubs’ decisions – they are not going to be easy!

It is also vitally important for clubs that you unvolunteer for an event as early as possible so that the limited spaces can be re-assigned as well.  So please update and advise Chief marshals at your earliest opportunity if your circumstances change.

For the latest information and guidance please refer to the Q&A on Motorsport UK website which was updated last week and further updates will follow [https://www.motorsportuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Motorsport-UK-QA-9-6-20.pdf]

Following recent events I want to reiterate that BMMC will not tolerate any form of prejudice or abuse.  We encourage a culture of tolerance, inclusion and diversity and encourage everyone to speak honestly and share their experiences.  

We are all volunteers and deserve to be treated with equal amounts of respect regardless of our differences.  Please remember Social Media guidelines (https://www.marshals.co.uk/membership/) when communicating through these channels and look after each other and our #OrangeFamily.

BMMC Club Ambassador Max Coates Q&A

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As we speed towards July and finally being able to get our probans back on (well if they still fit for some of us!), we caught up with BMMC Club Ambassador Max Coates to find out how he’d been coping with lockdown as a driver. 

Judging from the posts on social media many marshals are clearly missing their fix of motorsport, has it been as frustrating for you as a driver and the teams too?

We miss it too for sure, although I’d say without the eSports I’d be missing it a whole lot more. It can’t replicate every part of the real thing but the competition and racing is just as fierce. The people and the magnitude of the events is what I miss the most.  Knowing that racing is coming back sooner rather than later now is a good thing for our spirits.

E-racing has become everyone’s go to alternative, how beneficial is that for you as a driver to keep your eye in or is it just a bit of fun?

It’s certainly kept my race craft up to date and in some ways advanced it. I’d definitely like to keep some of it up after we start racing in the real world again. The race craft part is a fantastic comparison to real world events.

We now have a date for motorsport to recommence in July but clearly there are going to be some restrictions, do you think the new way of working will impact on the quality of racing?

I really don’t think it will change any part of the on track action if I’m honest.  Off track things will be different, but on track I’m expecting the same things to continue.

Given the social distancing rules how as a driver do you see that working if you’re in need of assistance from marshals on track in the heat of battle? (Will you have your own hand sanitiser onboard!)

It’s clearly going to bring some changes and I think probably the hardest part of going back to racing to protect against. When someone needs help I think it’s only human nature to want to try and help. I’ve not seen the hand sanitiser as a must have, and clearly we wear gloves etc, which need to be kept clean. The ‘driver thumbs up’ if we’re okay definitely needs to be a message that is pushed out to all involved, for us drivers to do so and for Marshal’s to keep their distance when they see that signal. That in most cases should keep everyone safe. I think we’ll be learning a lot in the first few months and as long as we adapt and develop we’ve done what we can.

And finally many marshals may have to continue to self-isolate or be unable to return due to work commitments etc what message do you have for our members ahead of the recommencing of racing?

Motorsport is an important thing to all of us and I’m glad there is a community of people that love it as much as I do. But at the moment, and always, some things carry a larger importance. Health, family and friends are important things too, and at the moment they need to be respect more than ever. Racing is a big thing for all of us, but when the times right, it will come back. Stay safe everyone. 

Almost there but not for everyone

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Firstly I hope you are keeping well, safe and sane during these times!

Motorsport UK have released their guidelines to getting Motorsport in the U.K. re-started.  They have confirmed that events can be given the green light from the 4 July as long as they meet the new guidelines.  The limitation to all permits of 50% compared to July 2019 – to give clubs time to re-start, return from furlough etc. – will not unduly change the current race calendar (National events e.g, BTCC, GT, F3, F4 cannot re-start until August).  However the guidelines will be too restrictive for rallies to re-start just yet.  Keep an eye on updated Q&A to be released soon.

Unfortunately we are not yet returning to normality (or a new normal?).  However much we may wish our hobby to bring some stability – despite being furloughed, working from home etc. there will need to be some changes to our sport.  Some of these may stay (hopefully the good ones!) and some of the rules may be temporary as we are still governed by our government and regionally devolved powers.

It is Volunteers Week this week so hopefully we can get out there soon and volunteer!  With this in mind we are updating the volunteering database.  To make it easier all existing volunteering will be removed / dates will be deleted where appropriate and new ones added as soon as possible.  

We will advise when it’s ready to go – planning for after this weekend!

AFTER THEN………a PLEA!!!

PLEASE……….. can I ask that EVERYONE updates their volunteering within our system?   [Yes – this includes even you who doesn’t use it at all]

We need to help the organising clubs identify any critical dates / venues / events in the calendar ASAP.  Many of their staff are on furlough until mid / end June and therefore will not know their event situation until then but here’s how we can help.  If we all volunteer correctly on our system we can give a clear indication of availability to Motorsport UK who can determine if any event may require rescheduling (regional volunteering coordinators can pull this information from the system).  Even with reduced numbers some events still may have critical numbers!  We have a great opportunity to help the clubs so please do your utmost.

  1. Volunteering with clubs directly

I know many of you may volunteer direct to the organising club – this is fine but PLEASE tick the “volunteered with organising club” box on our system (then you are still counted!).

  • Preferred meetings

As you can only select one meeting per date on our system please select your preferred.  If you are not chosen you should be given sufficient time to volunteer elsewhere if you would like to but please make changes and update as soon as possible

There are still a number of question marks around dates (many are provisional) and requirements unclear – in particular the British Grand Prix x 2!  Everyone is working very hard to get these dates confirmed as soon as practicable and informing everyone accordingly so please bear this in mind.  And many of you may have questions about exactly what will the event look like.  All clubs are working hard to meet the guidelines but won’t offer specifics until nearer the date.  So please assume they will be ready!

When we do re-start there are a number of points to consider:

  • Volunteering – numbers will be limited: please volunteer for your usual duty and the Chief marshal will advise if you have been accepted (you may need to multi-task!).  If you are self-isolating, vulnerable etc. please consider carefully before volunteering.
  • Declaration – this will be electronic before each event: it will include a paragraph specifically on COVID-19 symptoms (each club will advise their own process)
  • On the day – the means of post allocation will be provided by the Chief marshal (this could be in advance or on the day).  Where possible please stay in your vehicles, maintain social distancing from others and reduce car sharing with people who are not in your household
  • Incidents – a thumbs up is required from a driver to indicate all is well.  Do not enter a vehicle unless you have the correct PPE but do attend to fires, direct drivers and assist pushing where practicable
  • Equipment – follow directions from the organisers reference equipment provided, sanitisation, use during the day and returning when task completed.
  • PPE – most clubs will provide specific PPE where necessary.  Recommended – face coverings, spare gloves, hand sanitiser for your own personal use.  And don’t forget to dispose correctly (preferably take home with you)
  • If you feel unwell during the day – contact Race Control and advise.  Return equipment where possible and leave the circuit as soon as practicable.  Keep the Chief marshal advised of updates to condition after event – especially if COVID-19 symptoms
  • PRCs will not be signed at the event.  Please record the details of your attendance and this will be checked with Chief marshals if required.  There is unlikely to be assessments during this time so only attendance signatures will be verified.

We are adding a snood to our Teamwear catalogue which will initially be available via our National Regalia Officer Eric Ridler.  Website to be updated next week accordingly.

And most importantly stay safe – if you feel uncomfortable with the guidelines issued then do not feel obliged to attend.  You will not need to meet minimum requirements to maintain grades this year and Motorsport UK are advising that your registration is valid through 2021 as well.

We all want to get back out there but only if we feel safe to do so.

BMMC Chair responds to Motorsport UK update

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Motorsport UK have today released their strategy to restart Motorsport disciplines in the U.K.  The guidance released is for Race, Rally, Speed, Kart and club events with other disciplines expected to follow in due course.

This document is primarily for organisers, however I have been representing the marshals as part of a select panel of industry professionals who have been chosen to design the timescale and structures of how and when we can go racing again.

Organising clubs will determine their new meeting dates or schedules.  Most clubs recognise that the fairest distribution of track time will not envisage catching up on all missed events but will plan a shortened championship timetable in the remaining calendar.  So whilst there may be some changes to come it is unlikely that every available date and venue will be filled through to Christmas.

As a club the BMMC will wait until dates are confirmed before adding / changing the volunteering calendar but be assured we will update as soon as possible – probably early June and will advise once live.

The guidelines published will clearly affect how events will operate to ensure social distancing, protection of drivers, officials and medical staff.  These guidelines are generic and each event, venue and club will need to ensure that they are able to comply.  Every venue, every club, teams, marshals, medics and every single competitor has been experiencing the very same challenges. These complexities need to be worked through and determined accordingly.  

Motorsport UK are planning additional webinars, forums, clarification and FAQ documents in order to support these guidelines.  I recommend that you try to join any that are offered (we will send details when we receive) and of relevance to you as well as watch for updates from us, clubs, venues and the government.  We will of course be on hand to answer questions and queries accordingly.

Please can I ask for your continued patience and adherence to any club requests.  Some events will be requiring fewer marshals than “normal” to meet the guidelines which may result in your application being declined where volunteer numbers are high.  Some reduction in availability will be expected due to work commitments, shielding etc so please ensure you adjust your dates where applicable to help offset the reduced numbers.

Please accept and respect the club’s decisions – which will not be easy. Hopefully this initial guidance will gradually be relaxed and a sense of normality and socialising returns and you can once again attend as many events as you are able.

Until then Motorsport can wait a little longer.  Please stay safe.

https://www.motorsportuk.org/restart/

May-be a start or not…

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Will we start Motorsport in July?

Will we have a Grand Prix at Silverstone?

Or will we have two?

Sadly I don’t have the answers to these questions but I assure you Motorsport UK are working hard to get answers, plan scenarios and working with the government to help in the decision process.  We are being consulted along the way – and we are not being forgotten.  We may not be headline news but certainly our roles are definitely on the list!

We have had more contact by the media in the last week as well and if any of you are approached and not sure what to say please re-direct them to myself and our Comms Officer Dave.

THANK YOU.  Two small words which hopefully mean a lot.

To all of you who are working tirelessly in the NHS, supermarkets, teachers, posties, delivery drivers, train and bus drivers, cargo handlers across all our logistics and transport networks.  And if anyone is volunteering, helping in the community where you can – would love to hear what you are doing.  Good news stories welcome!

I know there will be some of you in difficult circumstances – financially and emotionally.  Please let us know if we can support in any way.  And for those of you who have lost loved ones to this horrible virus – I offer my sincerest condolences.  We offer our EAP service but also our committees are there to offer support and advice.

Are we doing enough? – there’s plenty of quizzes to join, eSports to participate in, re-runs of events to watch but please let us know if you wish us to do anything to help fill your time.   

Grading has been raised as a concern – and whatever happens nobody will lose their grade if they aren’t able to meet the minimum requirements.  Change of circumstances (no job / new job / new hours) or not enough events at your nearest venue or if you are not allowed out due to shielding – please follow the government guidelines and do not feel obliged to attend if you feel you are putting yourself at risk.  No one will hold your decision against you – don’t forget we are volunteers!

If you have some time on your hands please check out your own details on the BMMC volunteering database:

  • Email / Postal address / phone number / Next of kin
  • Date of birth – important for insurance purposes
  • Grading – if you have upgraded with another club we may not know.  Please let your regional grading officer know by email with a scan of your Motorsport UK registration showing your grade
  • Cadets – if you are approaching your 16th birthday you will need to complete a Motorsport UK form and send to your regional grading officer to change from cadet to trainee (this is not automatic with Motorsport UK nor our database)

If you are having logging on issues please contact Sean Clarke on ito@marshals.co.uk

Finally we are here for you if you need us and ready to go when Motorsport waves the green flag.

Motorsport can wait

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It certainly feels a bit strange writing this when I should have been at Goodwood for the Members meeting but along with so many events it’s postponed.  Hopefully running later in the year but will there be enough days in the calendar?  Who knows where we will be and when? The new C word is COVID-19 and everyone is suspicious of their neighbours going out too often.  

So let’s look at things we do know and can control

  • Volunteering system: we have configured the system so that all volunteering up to the end of June is declined.  This will prevent the system sending out reminders and means you don’t have to remove your details.  
  • Website banner – we have added a banner listing events after 30 June which are postponed or cancelled.  British Rally Marshals Club Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/109840512523716/?ref=share) is also being updated as and when new events are advised by Jon Cordery (thanks Jon)
  • BMMC / BRMC training days have been cancelled until further notice
  • Club Committee and Council meetings are either cancelled / re-scheduled or using technology to connect
  • Overseas travel & repatriation insurance – for those who have requested and paid for cover but do not subsequently travel in 2020 will be able to request a refund – a time later in the year will be confirmed.
  • Lille Racewear (https://www.marshals.co.uk/regalia/) are still up and running – so if you need overalls give them a call and get yourself measured up for a set.

I am in regular communication with Motorsport UK – all Committees are being postponed or set up as conference calls where possible – there is still work to do!  Motorsport UK also announced in their latest edition of Revolution ( https://revolution.motorsportuk.org/) the appointment of Sue Sanders as Learning and Development Director.  This role will also include Sport promotion to ensure support and engagement with clubs and members.  A questionnaire is expected in due course.

If you’ve been following updates on Motorsport UK you will have read their Q&A regarding the current situation (https://www.motorsportuk.org/covid-19-qa-updated-25-03-20/).

Some items relevant to our members:

  • on Monday 30th March, Motorsport UK will be launching its new online learning platform, The Learning Hub. Simply log in to your Members Area on the Motorsport UK website and follow the instructions from there.
  • Marshals may be concerned about meeting their grade maintenance requirements, due to some motorsport events and training days being cancelled/postponed. Motorsport UK would like to reassure the Marshal community that their current Marshal grades will not be affected, should they not be able to meet their grade maintenance requirements in 2020.  Further information about the grade maintenance criteria for 2020 will be released in due course.
  • For those wishing to upgrade please send your information to your regional grading officer as normal.  Upgrades will be scanned and emailed accordingly on your behalf as postal applications are on hold for now (everyone is working from home).

Are you self-isolating?  Have you been furloughed?  Are you related to someone with the virus?  Are you self-employed?  Have you been laid off?  Not know what to do and is it all feeling a bit much?  Don’t forget our Confidential Counselling helpline (https://www.marshals.co.uk/marshalling/insurance-news/) – it’s there to help and although we couldn’t foresee this current situation I am so pleased we put this in place when we did.

If you are a key worker we salute you! If you are working from home I hope you are coping – and the kids are behaving!.  Please follow the government guidelines to protect yourselves and each other. If you are able to please consider becoming one of the NHS volunteers – if you can’t go out you could be making calls to people in the same situation.  The guidelines and support is very comprehensive – do what you can, when you can.

And one final point – let’s re-phrase Social distancing to Distant socialising.  It’s still ok to talk, FaceTime, Webinars – whatever works for you to stay connected.  Check out all the Social Media events happening – eSports, TableTop rallies, catch up coffees online (or beer / wine / curry as you prefer!) – let’s stay connected.

Take care and stay safe – Motorsport can wait.

Chair’s March message – Congratulations and recognition

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A great aspect of my role as Chair is to recognise the efforts and achievements of our membership.

Council decide the winners of our National awards based on regional nominations.  The nominations for the Marshal of the Year were also sent to Motorsport UK and although no member of BMMC won the accolade they were all recognised for their achievements.

Congratulations to our worthy winners this year of our National awards are as follows:

David Leslie Cadet Marshal of the Year – Oliver Anslow (Mids Region)

John Nicol New Marshal of the Year – Matt Edwards (NW Region)

Barrie Williams Marshal of the Year – Bob Sketchley (SM Region)

It is worth noting that the trophies are all named after special individuals who have supported our club over some time.  More details will follow on our website in due course for everyone to understand some of our history.  However Council wanted to recognise the partners of these gentlemen and their ongoing support of the club.  

We are therefore delighted to say that the following have accepted Honorary membership of the club:

            Jane Leslie

            Debs Nicol

            Kathryn Marshall

Furthermore Sally Bamber has been added to our list of Honorary members.  With copyright to the “Heroes” design being granted to the club it is only right that we recognise Jim’s unstinting support of the club and respect of marshals.

And last but not least Herbie Blash has advised he is unable to devote as much time to the club and consequently has stepped down as a Vice President – we’ve made him an Honorary member in recognition of his many years of support too.

With training days taking place around the country – I was at Oulton and Bedford and going to Anglesey at the weekend for a joint rally and race training day – it’s great to see so many members brushing up on their skills or learning new ones.  Some great input from participants to feedback to trainers on what you are really wanting to learn too!

We took the opportunity to clear out our marshalling cupboard at home during one of our recent stormy weekends.  Thankfully nothing there that shouldn’t be (mouldy sandwiches, rotten bananas!) but good to check what we’ve got and what may need replacing through the season.  Don’t forget your entitlement to subsidies through the club if your kit is in need of replacement.  I even purchased a new BMMC umbrella at training day (great addition to the catalogue Eric!)

My calendar is full to bursting for the year – including a family wedding, birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate – hoping to make it to a couple of different venues this year too.  Hope you are planning yours and using the volunteering system to see what’s on.  Remember – please only volunteer for an event once otherwise the Chief Marshals may think there are more volunteers than there are.  And equally please let them know if your plans change and you can’t make it.

Another reminder about Social Media to finish – your comments could result in action being taken by BMMC, Motorsport UK, or other interested parties if necessary.  Please think before you type! 

February bulletin – new beginnings

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Firstly I have to say congratulations to the brand, recruiting and BRMC teams who made Autosport such a success.  The new stands looked fantastic and the feedback was positive.  

The new BRMC logo looks great and the Teamwear smart – great idea by Kim Durose.  Congratulations too to Ian Evans who was awarded the inaugural Rally Marshal of the Year trophy too. 

Teamwear is now available to purchase with the BRMC logo direct from the supplier, details via the BRMC website here –
https://www.brmc.org.uk/images/pdfs/Regalia/BRMC_Team_Catalogue.pdf

I also have to take this opportunity to thank Eric for his previous 20 years of supporting and setting up our stand at the Autosport show.  

This year certainly felt like we made our mark!  Motorsport UK attended our BRMC trophy presentation and Jayne Poston, Oliver Anslow and I had an interview session on their stand on the Saturday afternoon.  I also made a couple of presentations to tell people what we do.  

Better advertising next year could make this a real feature.  Our next show is Race Retro at the end of this month.  If you are able to support any recruiting activities in your area please contact your local recruitment officer – they will welcome the help!

Our membership packs will be shipping out shortly – this is a huge job for one person (thanks Dave!) so please be patient.  Renewals need to be submitted by end of March to be in with a chance of winning our star prize of a drive at Bedford Autodrome courtesy of MSV.  (You will need to make your own way there and meet an MSV representative to accept your prize).  Your pack will also include important information about our Employee Assistance Programme. 

Motorsport UK are shortly releasing a survey to understand exactly what encourages people to volunteer.  I urge you to answer as honestly as possible for all roles you perform (questions repeat for different areas) – this will help shape some of the work of the Marshals Advisory Group in ensuring recruitment, retention, recognition and welfare of marshals is a paramount in the activities governed by Motorsport UK.  

We are also looking to simplify the understanding and documentation associated with the grading scheme – a key area for the group this year!  So watch this space and input your ‘constructive’ ideas (we know what the issues are!).

A gentle reminder about Social Media guidelines  – 
https://www.motorsportuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/motorsportuksocialmediapolicyandguidance.pdf

What you may think is a harmless comment or joke can be seen as disrespectful, threatening or quite simply a whinge!  

Many organisations monitor all forms of Social Media and aren’t always supportive or tolerant.  Please be mindful that new, young marshals could be easily influenced by your “views” and may not get the full picture.  If you have genuine issues or concerns please raise through the relevant channels and not on a public forum.  Your local committees (and up to me) want to hear from you to make our lot a better place.

BMMC 2020 Insurance Policies
Details of our Personal Accident policy are available to view –
https://www.marshals.co.uk/marshalling/bmmc-personal-accident-insurance

All members are encouraged to volunteer using our online system as this automatically records your attendance for insurance purposes.

If you volunteer direct to the organising club you will still be covered, but to make sure we know what meetings you are doing please tick the “for insurance purposes only” box in the online system or send your Volunteering Coordinator a list of all the meetings you want insurance cover for, making clear you have already volunteered via the organising club.

Details of the BMMC Emergency Medical Repatriation policy and how to arrange cover are available to view online 
https://www.marshals.co.uk/marshalling/repatriation-insurance

Our first Council meeting of the year is approaching so I must complete my report and prepare for new ideas and decision making.  Let your regional Chairs know what we should be working on.

Family time matters says new President Ben

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There’s little better than being with people who get where we come from, understand our foibles and strengths, share a laugh about them all and get on with whatever needs doing.

That message was reinforced to me this January when a whistle-stop tour around the country threw me in with relatives in Yorkshire and Oxfordshire, a happy group of dogs in Leicestershire, motorsport colleagues in Northamptonshire and marshals in Norfolk.

Connecting with people (and dogs!) that share common interests allows us to feel satisfied and happy. We learn from them, we teach them, we combine our strengths to achieve objectives that we could never manage on our own.

Opening Horizons

When I arrived at Snetterton circuit to understand more about one of the key pre-season training days, one of the first people I met was 13yo Alfie, along with his folks Shaun and Zoe. 

Alfie is a cadet marshal who decided he wanted to give marshalling a try last year. He loves cars, and the idea of being close to powerful GT machinery as it rumbles past while

having a role to play in the whole organisation of the event made him feel excited. Cadets

between 11-16yo are not allowed to be on flag posts or in the pit lane, but they can help organise the Assembly area so the excitement of telling the driver of a Lamborghini Huracan where to position his car before being released to the grid can be a real buzz.

Shaun has never done any marshalling himself but is quite happy to come along for a whole day at a race meeting and give Alfie his support, and to be there if anything doesn’t quite work out.

One family is integrating itself into the broader family of marshals, and as I headed around the different training areas at the track, that message of bonding together through a common interest came across very strongly.

Digging into Detail

Out on the start/finish straight, an exercise in dealing with an injured driver was going on with paramedics explaining some of the basic procedures of safely moving an individual who has suffered an accident. 

Not far way, in a room attached to the scrutineering bay, marshals were learning how to fill in report forms accurately so that the Race Director or Clerk of the Course would have accurate information when it came to analysing a particular incident.

In all of the groups there was a mixture of young people and seasoned veterans all working

together to improve their capabilities at the circuit. In a room above the pits, the challenge of

ensuring that flag signals are seen clearly by the drivers was being discussed. 

Single seater drivers sit low and their perspective is different from a Touring Car driver whose crash helmet is surrounded by head protection and a narrow strip of windscreen. A flag may need to be in a different position for those two different categories.

Mind you, not everyone wants to be a flag marshal. 15yo Shannon will no longer be a cadet later this year, but she doesn’t want to get a load of grief for waving the blue flag at the wrong time, so she’s going to concentrate on other areas. But that’s fine; there are so many aspects to the role that nobody should end up doing something they don’t want to. 

After all, volunteers are unlikely to come back unless they are enjoying themselves.

One for All and All for One…

Down at the fire training area, Emma Cook told me she has been marshalling for two years thanks to signing up to a taster day at a BTCC meeting. She was completely at ease wielding a fire extinguisher around the training area, but so far she hasn’t had to deal with a fire in an actual race.

She thoroughly enjoys being on a flag post with several others, and they operate as a team within a team, moving from one post to another at each race meeting and getting a different perspective on the day’s activities.

Friendships are forged through sharing experiences together, and marshalling has clearly created many valuable bonds over the years as well as forming the backbone to our powerful motorsport scene in the UK.

There is true pride and accomplishment in being a member of the #OrangeFamily.