MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE HELD ON SUNDAY
28 JANUARY 2007 AT ALLEN HOUSE, WETMORE ROAD, BURTON ON TRENT
(by courtesy of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club)Present:
Andrew Burt (chairman) Tony Beadle John Billard
David Davies Tim Holt Henry Lawson
Rosy Pugh Mike YoungIn attendance
Geoff Smith (vice president) Jim Whyman (secretary & treasurer)1. Apologies for absence
Lord Montagu; Derek Grossmark; Jacqueline Bickerstaff; Colin Francis; Julian Ghosh; Sandy Hamilton;
David Hurley; Peter Mead. Also Ian Edmunds (CBQC) and John Symes (MSA).2. Approval of minutes of meeting of 28 November 2006
After the secretary had added Derek Grossmark to the note of those apologising for absence, the minutes of the meeting of 28 November were approved.
3. Matters arising
4.A The secretary reported that Iain Colquhoun of Mylles and Company had checked the draft Articles of Association, and had made necessary corrections. Apart from those corrections, and some detail adjustments to the Bylaw requirements for representation on the legislation team, the draft was as approved by the committee at the September 2006 meeting. It was agreed this should be circulated to subscriber organisations for a three month consultation. JW
4.B The chairman apologised for not having done as much since the last meeting as he had intended, but Mike Young had been working on the job description and it was hoped to hold a brief working party meeting shortly to progress matters. AB; MY; JG; JBld
4. FIVA Matters
The chairman described a meeting that had taken place four days previously where all UK participants in FIVA activity had come together with Eri Heilijgers and David Mead, the two people who had volunteered to become involved in this area of activity. The meeting had reviewed current positions, considered the cost/benefit of FIVA membership and concluded that if was in FBHVC interests (both philosophically and financially) to remain with FIVA provided FIVA continued to give full support to the service provided by EPPA. To ensure that happened, it would be in FBHVC’s best interests to increase its representation within FIVA. Heritage and trade interests had been identified as areas in need of development both in UK and FIVA, and it was suggested that improved representation would flow from making an independent start in improving links in those areas. It was suggested that (if willing) the two volunteers should be asked to take these matters forward with the intention of joining a FIVA working group. This was agreed.
It was also agreed that there should henceforward be a standing “FIVA group” to monitor the relationship with FIVA, probably meeting in conjunction with the legislation team. Geoff Smith believed it was vital for FBHVC to shadow FIVA activity so as to be in a position to represent UK interests in Europe should there be break with FIVA.
It was noted that over 100,000 copies of the Guide for Users of Historic Vehicles would be published in UK alone, 64,000 printed by FBHVC, and the remainder reproduced by clubs.
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5. Legislation
Minutes of the 10 January meeting of the legislation committee had been circulated. There were no questions, but John Billard and the secretary enlarged on the problems arising from a recent consultation on the implementation in Britain of new EU regulations governing commercial drivers’ hours. The EU regulations allow member states to exempt historic vehicles according to their national definitions but the consultation had proposed very restrictive wording. Further, the new regulations removed the current exemption for private heavy goods vehicles being used non-commercially, thus affecting those who use low loaders to transport steam engines. FBHVC’s response had requested a simpler definition and had called for a meeting to discuss the wider implications: a letter, with copy of the response, had been sent to the Minister asking for his support for such a meeting. A reply was awaited. [see footnote]
6. Events & Promotions
A. 22 April - Drive It Day
Tony Beadle said he had been pleased to see that the Drive It Day events page on the website was beginning to fill up. The secretary said he was inviting some journalists to join him at a pub in Oxfordshire to see who, or what, dropped in and commented that he was still hoping enough clubs with permanent HQ would agree to open that day to make a “club crawl” possible. It was agreed the secretary should have a budget of £250 for entertaining the journalists.Tony Beadle handed out an outline of more ambitious plans for 2008, proposing a relay event covering approximately the same route as the 1900 event. The meeting agreed that these plans should be taken further, and that there should be a working group (comprising Tony Beadle, Tim Holt and David Davies) to refine the idea and carry out a route survey in time to publicise the event before the end of 2007. TB; TH; DD
The secretary said he had obtained a quotation for registering Drive It Day as a trade mark from patent agents Boult Wade Tennant. The cost would be £500 plus VAT for making the application with a further £100 for registration if the application was successful. Some felt this was too much, but when it was pointed out that if someone else was to register the name it would prevent FBHVC using it, it was agreed that it should be registered. The secretary agreed to do what was necessary. JW
B. 28/29 April - Classic Bike Show
David Davies said the stand space etc. was all booked: all that remained was for him to liaise with the secretary to ensure the display boards were up to date. DD; JWC. 8/9 September - Beaulieu
The secretary said he had tentatively booked a plot at Beaulieu and asked if he should also arrange the usual committee meeting and dinner at the Master Builder’s House Hotel. Those present felt the dinner was a valuable opportunity to entertain politicians whilst educating them in the ways of the historic vehicle movement. The secretary was asked to make the necessary bookings. JW
Henry Lawson commented that the London to Brighton Run for veteran cars in November should also provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the historic vehicle movement to politicians. He was sure the Veteran Car Club of GB would co-operate and offered to investigate possibilities. HLD. 17-21 September - World Forum for Motor Museums
The secretary said the tenth such forum was coming to UK in September, and was being organised by the Haynes Motor Museum. His suggestion that FBHVC should provide a speaker had been welcomed, but it was now necessary to decide who that should be and what subject to cover. David Davies suggested that Geoff Smith should speak to report on the research work that was being done and to develop the idea that museums need an active historic vehicle movement. Geoff expressed willingness, and all agreed. GS; JW7. Vision 2005-10
A. & B. - see Matters Arising (item 3)
C. Exploit heritage links
It was agreed that those attending the next meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicle Group on 7 February should press again for a meeting with the Culture Department. AB; GS; DH…/3
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7. Vision 2005-10 (contd)
D. Legislation; E. Fuels; F. DVLA - all closed.
G. FIVA - see item 4.
H. Review website design and content; review general media contact; review newsletter format & policy
The meeting considered further the intention to use e-mail for the distribution of committee notices and minutes. The secretary said that although the majority were perfectly happy with the principle of electronic distribution, Sandy Hamilton had problems receiving attachments; Peter Mead had said he preferred his mail through the letter box and Tim Holt told the meeting he was not able to receive e-mail or access the internet because he dare not risk the integrity of the data stored on his computer by making any external connection. There was no specific decision, but it was clear paper copies would continue to be required.The secretary said that the new searchable club database organised at no cost to FBHVC by Dr Paul Frost was now in place and seemed to be working well. He apologised to the committee for a couple of teething problems with the committee-only pages but said these now seemed to be working well. David Davies commented that he was happy with the website and congratulated Steve Day for striking a good balance between easy navigation and attractive appearance.
J. Improve means of recruitment; encourage and educate youngsters
Henry Lawson gave an illustrated presentation reporting on his findings after discussing attitudes to older vehicles with youngsters. The underlying message was that there was interest, if not enthusiasm, at all ages, but it was necessary to adapt the approach to suit the age group being addressed if that interest was to be captured. The under 8s were attracted by the “cute”, but put off by noise and sudden action; the middle years found the sight of old vehicles in normal motion and the associated noise and smell interesting while teenagers liked the technical aspects and enjoyed the sight of old vehicles being driven hard. Language also played an important part, with terms in common usage within the historic vehicle movement (like veteran, vintage, classic) being seen as “boring”, while expressions such as muscle cars and 4 x 4 would trigger interest.The chairman thanked Henry for opening up the world of the teenager so effectively. The meeting considered that catching the interest of youngsters was a particularly important task: John Billard described the NTET’s long standing “steam apprentice” scheme and Tim Holt mentioned a tractor tuition project that was being run by his local club. The meeting recognised the need to increase such laudable projects, tailoring their nature to suit the ages being targeted.
Henry Lawson agreed to do further work to categorise areas of interest for the young, and it was agreed this topic should be the main topic for the post AGM conference. HL
K. Plan responsibilities and succession; cater for contingencies
No action to take place until after AGM - as agreed at previous meeting.8. Other Matters
The recent meeting of the legislation committee had considered a proposal prepared by Geoff Smith for a programme of further analysis of UK forms received in the course of the 2005/6 survey and had recommended that this should go ahead at an estimated cost not exceeding £12,000. This was approved. Geoff Smith said he would get this work underway and expected it to be complete in three months. GS
Tom Holt said that the National Traction Engine Trust had brought its code of practice for event organisers up to date, and it was expected to receive the endorsement of the Health and Safety Executive. NTET ran safety seminars for event organisers. John Billard and Tim Holt agreed to prepare a Newsletter article for the covering both code and seminars. Tim Holt agreed to provide a copy of the code for FBHVC. TH; JBld
David Davies mentioned that the winner of Transport Trust award for restoration of a dual road-rail vehicle based on a Model T Ford was seeking support for a planning application in respect of a museum and section of railway in order to display his machine. It was agreed the chairman should consider the issue and give support if he deemed it appropriate. The meeting also considered the importance of forging firm links with the Transport Trust. AB
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8. Other Matters (contd)
The secretary reported that Peter James had approached him seeking FBHVC co-operation in his project to launch a new insurance brokerage, P D James & Company. The new business would be focussing on specialist vehicle insurance, and would thus not clash directly with the Public Liability scheme arranged by Willis. To avoid risk of undermining the Willis scheme before it was firmly established, the secretary said he had spoken to Willis to check if they would have any objection to FBHVC dealing with the new company. They had none, but had asked for a meeting to discuss the possibility of Willis extending the range of services it offers through FBHVC. It was agreed that both avenues should be explored, and Mike Young volunteered to attend any such meetings. JW; MY
The secretary said that the Riley Register had requested FBHVC support for a campaign to prevent the future destruction of sporting saloon cars from the pre-war era to feed a growing desire for open competition specials specifically for participation in competitions organised by the Vintage Sports Car Club. It was feared that there would soon be few survivors, and the nature of the specials created would give the false impression that open cars were the norm pre-war. The meeting agreed that this practice was to be deplored, but considered the matter to be one of individual conscience and outside FBHVC’s remit.
………….…………………………….. Chairman P H J Whyman, Secretary.
[Footnote re. item 5: Subsequent to the meeting, the secretary received a letter from Dr Ladyman agreeing to a meeting once responses to the drivers’ hours consultation had been analysed. Ten days later, a summary of responses was published with DfT comment: this included the following -
In view of the convincing case put forward by the historic vehicle fraternity, which is supported by the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA), the Government agrees to simplify its proposals by defining a non commercially operated historic vehicle as one which was manufactured more than 25 years before the occasion on which it is being driven. The Government is satisfied that this approach is in keeping with the spirit and intention of the EU Regulation, and that it will not jeopardise road safety.
Rather satisfyingly, the proposal for a simple definition is exactly what we asked for. Unfortunately, though, the summary of responses went on to state that there was no possibility of changing the regulations in respect of more modern privately operated vehicles of over 7.5 tonnes.]