Since last months column, work seems to have dominated proceedings so much so that I had to miss the July committee meeting and I haven’t even looked at the Golf since we came back from the Rally of the Midlands.

I understand that North Weald is well in hand (and what capable hands they are). Unfortunately I shall not be in attendance as I shall be away on holiday. A holiday in August will be a novel experience for Sue and I as we normally do everything possible to avoid the busy periods, but this time we are away with some friends and two of our godsons so it should be interesting.

Being away then has meant that I have been working on getting my end of the paper work sorted for the Spotted Dick and Custard Stages on September 4^th and I’m happy to report that this is pretty much all in place now. Naturally for both these events the cry for assistance must be made especially for the rally, as the venue has to be set-up on the Saturday morning, so if you are able to help please contact Chin, Andy Elcomb or myself.

Earlier in the month I was working for Nissan at the Mobility Show which was held at Donnington Park. The show is designed to showcase aids for the disabled and is located at the circuit because the main emphasis is on transport. All the major manufacturers are represented and some had put together a small fleet, complete with various alternative controls for testing on the circuit (which was the reason for me being there). I was very interested to learn that 5% of all new cars registered in this country are via the Motorbility scheme, so you can see why all the manufacturers are there.

The show is extremely interesting from a mechanical and technical viewpoint, but what I found far more engaging were the people I met. Firstly the majority were in wheelchairs and there were times you almost felt conspicuous by the fact that you were standing. But by far the over riding feeling you got was that their disability was an inconvenience and it was not going to hold them back any more than was inevitable. I met two people that really stood out, a guy who had a bike accident three years ago and was paralysed from his chest down and was there with his son. That day was going to be the first time he had driven anything since his accident. We had an Almera Tino fitted with push/pull controls, which was just what he needed. It was an interesting first time out especially when he got confused and did an emergency stop coming out of a corner rather than accelerating, but by the end of a couple of different test drives he knew what he needed and was ready to go. The second person who stood out was a young lady who had been involved in a shooting accident and had been shot through the neck; she’d been left with the good use of only one hand and arm and partial use of the other. This had happened on the eve of her taking her PSV driving test and there was no question she was determined to drive. Once again it only took a few laps to get her up to speed, once we had worked out the best combination of controls.

I really enjoyed the show and unlike so many, time just flew by. It was a privilege to meet so many people for whom every day is a real challenge, but most importantly it is a challenge they are determined to overcome. A real lesson for those of us who enjoy full mobility.