... according to a poll by road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

The main reason given for not enjoying driving on the roads was the cost of fuel (51%) closely followed by congestion (41%), no longer excited by driving (28%) and less leisure time (25.9%).

Other findings include:
• Overall thirty-nine per cent of respondents still consider driving and riding for fun as their hobby.
• One third of respondents still go out for a spin.
• Fifty-three per cent of respondents think compared with other road users they are good drivers, with just over forty-five per cent responding that they are very good.
• Seventy-eight per cent of respondents would usually drive when out with their partner.
• Half of respondents don’t always feel relaxed when their partner is in the passenger seat.

It seems that other road users are the problem with over sixty per cent of respondents stating that it’s the behaviour of other drivers on the road that makes them feel the most nervous. This was followed by bad weather conditions and driving near to lorries.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “With congestion and fuel prices it’s easy to understand why many people think driving is a chore. But the UK still has some of the most beautiful roads in the world and if you have the right skills and confidence in your ability driving can be as enjoyable as ever.”

The next Normous Newark Autojumble is just days away, taking place on Sunday, December 15 at Newark Showground.

As ever, we are looking forward to receiving a large number of visitors from across the UK coming to find the many bargains on offer.

Outside Traders

No booking is required for outside trading, just arrive at the showground from 6.45am and your 6ft frontage x 30ft depth plot will be allocated. An outside plot costs £20 and allows entry for one person. Additional entry passes cost £7 (a pre-booked outdoor plot costs £18).

Inside Traders

The Lady Eastwood Hall has now SOLD OUT for this event. For future events booking is advised to avoid disappointment. If you are interested in an inside plot, please call me on 01507 529470.

Classic Car Drivers

Bring your classic (Pre-1993) car along to display. Entry for classic cars is via the Classic Gate from 9.30am. Drivers receive a discount and get admission for just £5; admission for passengers is £6.

Day Visitors

Free parking is available in the Blue Gate car park. Early bird admission is from 8am and costs £10, giving visitors a chance to get first access to the wealth of jumble stands on site. General admission (10am onwards) costs £6.

Confirmed Normous Newark dates, 2014:

Sundays January 26, March 2, April 6, June 8, July 6, August 24, October 5, November 16 and December 14

ONE of the showpiece events of the classic calendar is set to once again cater to the legions of motorcycle enthusiasts in attendance as the 34th Carole Nash Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show once again descends on the Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet.

Now firmly established as one of the premier events in the world of the older models, the show takes place on the weekend of February 8-9.

Visitors can expect to feast their eyes upon an array of stunning classic machinery as well as a fantastic mix of trade stalls, dealers and autojumble plots that provide the perfect setting for the inspiration needed to finish a restoration project for the summer.

Exhibition manager Nick Mowbray said: “From its original home in Bristol to its current location in Shepton Mallet, this show is all about a tradition of superb restorations, a great range of trade and jumble stalls and plenty of bargains to be found.”

With the show taking place in early February, most of the action will take place in the indoor halls of the showground – a perfect place to take refuge from any unkind winter weather as you get up close to the classics on display.

Discount advance tickets for the event – costing just £10 for a one day pass – are now on sale and can be purchased by visiting www.classicbikeshows.com or by calling the ticket team on 01507 529529.

British Historic Racing is an integral part of the VMCC that holds Road Race meetings across the country for members and invited clubs.

A wide range of vintage & classic motorcycles compete against each other in a range of events from pre-1934 solos, outfits & 3 Wheelers, through to the exciting BEARS series catering for European & American machines from the 1970s & 80s. We also have regular invited clubs who come along and join our meetings such as BSSO Scooters & the Morgan Three-Wheeler Club.

We hold more than 20 Championships over a calendar of six meetings at venues all across the country including the newly re-opened Mallory Park!

If you have a road race license and would like to race with likeminded friendly racers come and join us at our meetings where you will be made most welcome.

BRITISH HISTORIC RACING CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2014

Anglesey 12/13 April
Three Sisters 10/11 May
Mallory Park 14/15 June
Lydden Hill 05/06 July
Darley Moor 26/27 July
Cadwell Park 27/28 September
 

For more details contact BHR entries Secretary Carole Allison 07400 508055 e-mail [email protected] or download entry forms directly from our website

www.britishhistoricracing.co.uk

Ace Cafe Xmas Toy Run

The cafe's annual Christmas Toy Run into central London departs at 11am on Sunday 15th December to attend the children's wards of three hospitals:

St Mary's (Paddington) 11.45am - 12.15pm
Royal Brompton (Chelsea) 1pm - 1.30pm
Evelina Children's Hospital (Westminster) 2pm - 2.30pm

As always, any surplus gifts will be distributed to various children's homes and groups.

Please bring gifts that are wrapped and labelled Boy/Girl/Age Group

Because of allergies hospitals advise against stuffed toys and sweets - the nursing staff however may appreciate some sweeties!

On returning to the cafe, there will be prizes for the "Best Dressed Bike" and the "Best Dressed Rider" - and a hot cuppa!

NB: After 15 years of "heading up" the toy run, Ron Miles will be retiring. He said "I started this run back in 1998, and have attended the event every year. It has been wonderful to see the smiles of the kids who are in hospital, and also to see the smiles of the riders who take part - it's a very emotional experience, and I would like us to make this year a big one!"

www.ace-cafe-london.com