News

29^th January    What to take with you when driving in France

Top Tips: Driving in France

France is just a short hop over the English Channel but for some, driving in an unknown environment can be a daunting task.

It is important to remember that for the most part it’s just like driving in the UK. The main difference is that in France, you drive on the right hand side of the road and overtake on the left. Just take things slowly at first and make sure you use your mirrors - having experienced driving in busy traffic in the UK, you’ll be sure to pick it up in no time.

Upon arrival at Dunkirk port you will soon realise that all the motorways you need and areas you want to visit are clearly signposted. France and the rest of Europe are literally just hours away with DFDS Seaways.

To put your mind at ease, we have put together a list of useful things to remember when driving in France:

What should you take with you?

Documentation:
If driving in France you should be prepared to provide the following documents: 

• Full, valid driving license (with paper counterpart if you have a photocard license) 

• Original vehicle registration document 

• Motor insurance certificate 

• Passport 

• International Driving Permit (if necessary) 

Equipment:

Motorists in France are required by law to have access to specific items when driving. Be prepared and ensure you have the following:

• Warning triangle (this excludes motorcycles) 

• Reflective jackets 

• Headlamp Adaptors (available in our onboard shop) 

• GB sticker (UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) do not need a GB sticker) 

• Headlamp adjustment for driving on the right 

• Disposable breathalyser kits 

• Spare bulb kit 

• Snow chains (for vehicles using snow-covered roads – see relevant road signs). 

Driving regulations (France)

Driving license

• Car: minimum age of 18 

• 80cc motorcycle: minimum age 16 

• 80cc+ motorcycle: minimum age 18. 

Drinking alcohol:

Our advice: if you drive, don’t drink alcohol. 

Motorists must have no more than 0.05 per cent or more (0.02% for bus/coach drivers) of alcohol in their bloodstream. Saliva drug tests may be used to determine if alcohol has been consumed and penalties include fines, imprisonment and/or confiscation of license. 

Seat belts:
Passengers in the front and rear seats must wear seat belts.

Children:
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure all passengers under 18 are appropriately restrained.

Children under the age of 10 must not travel on the front seats of vehicles, unless there are no rear seats or the rear seats are already occupied with children under 10 or there are no seat belts. In this situation, babies (under13kg) must be carried in a rear facing baby seat.

Speed: 
The following national speed limits apply:

• Built-up areas: 31 mph (50 km/h) 

• Outside built-up areas: 55 mph (90 km/h) 

• Urban motorways and dual carriageways separated by a central reservation: 68 mph (110 km/h) 

• Motorways: 80 mph (130 km/h) 

Holders of EU driving licenses exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h will have their licenses confiscated on the spot by the police.

Disabled parking access:
Parking discs for ‘blue zone’ parking areas can be obtained from police stations, tourist offices and some shops.

(the above is an article originally on the following website www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/ferry-routes/ferry-to-france/driving-tips/)

21^st January    Swedish Rally - Help for Foxy?

Hi all,

I've got a bit of a problem. Ally has a new job when she gets back from her holiday and can't take two weeks off work to go to Sweden, so we have a few options

1)    Swap ferry booking with two other people, from the Wednesday to the Monday. At the moment we travel out on Monday 4^th June and come back the following Wednesday 13^th June, but we need to come back on Monday 11^th June.

2)    Sell the booking to two people and re-book ourselves as there might be some more from here wanting to go. They will let me know by February

3)    Lose the booking and not go to Sweden.

I would really appreciate it if someone could help out here.

Foxy / Helen C18 x 
Email: foxy1612@hotmail.com

19^th January    Jumpstart Party

Hi all,

Would you please inform any of your members that are attending the Jumpstart Party on 20th, 21st and 22nd of April at Buxton Rugby Club that there has been an error in the postcode for the venue!

The postcode should read;

SK17 9PX and not SK19 9PX, as stated on the tickets and the flyer!

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Best regards
Mick
Yorkies Rep

11^th January    Will's off to Gambia (Pt. 2)

Hi all,

Just thought I would give you an update to my Gambia trip.

Thanks to the 2 Centres that have donated to a very worth cause.

I now have a C90 which I purchased for £550, which on arrival at the Bansang Hospital will be handed over to be used as doctors/nurse vehicle.

We leave Portsmouth on Sunday the 4th March 2012 at 11:00 hrs, I think we should be there around 9am (but will confirm nearer the date). so anyone wishing to wave the mad lot off is welcome.

There is still a strong chance that a TV crew will be following us (will let you know as soon as its confirmed).

Pics today are from my first day out, it was very very wet and cold but felt I had to get some miles in (after all its only 3,000 miles from Santander to Gambia lol

Any centre wishing to donate please feel free to send the cheques to me but made out to VSOC Centre 4

Cheers,
Will
Centre 4 Rep

See Will's earlier news here

5^th January    Stolen Bike

A close friend of mine, Graham Barber, (ex-Royal Marine and Royal British Legion Rider) has had his motorbike stolen overnight 3rd/4th January, in Wickford, Essex. Bike Details:

BMW R1200GSA 
Reg: AY09 GFU
Red/Black 
Givi Top Box

Any information to either myself, Essex Police or via the webmaster at www.rblr.co.uk  Very many thanks for any assistance in catching these thieving scum and 'hopefully' getting the bike back.

Best regards,
Stay safe out there.

Gibbo
07778 896540
Dep Rep, The SMUGGLERS
VSOC, C15 Kent & East Sussex
gibbo@vsocxv.co.uk 
gibbo.stevegibson@gmail.com 
stevegibson@sharpfibre.com 

5^th January    Yorkies News

Hi and welcome.

Following the Yorkies AGM on 3rd January 2012 I am now introducing myself as the new Yorkies Rep.

I must express great thanks to the outgoing Rep, the one and only Terry Lewis! As I was Deputy Rep for the last two years and Terry mentioned that he would be standing down in 2012, I was formally asked if I’d like to take the position of Rep. I thought that this was a natural follow on from being Deputy Rep and I had no hesitation in accepting the proposal.

Terry very kindly took me under his wing and gave me more duties within the club and also let me `chair` parts of our meetings, thus giving me a taste of what I would be up for in the future.

Terry is staying on the committee as Yorkies Deputy Rep and as always, Sue will be by his side!

Many thanks to Sandie, who has been of great support and her ability to steer me in the right direction when I get into a mess with this damned laptop!

To end, I’d like to thank everyone for their unanimous support of me at the Yorkies AGM and I hope I can return the favour by `doing you proud` in this important role in our club!

I think most of you Rep's will already know me but for those that don't, I'm the Yorkie with the red Mohawk hairstyle and the gold teeth!

Best regards

Mick Bryan
Yorkies Rep

Email: mickmbsuk@aol.com
Tel: 07752 341131

26^th December    Steed John Motorcycles 

Steed John Motorcycles source the best manufacturers of Aftermarket Harley and custom products from around the world. To compliment the larger manufacturers, we are constantly looking to bring you unique products with high design from manufacturers you may not have had access to before.

Our aim is to provide you with the complete peace of mind that comes from purchasing your custom products from a UK based Company. Our published prices include all Shipping Costs, Import Duties and Taxes, enabling you to shop confidently and in the knowledge that there will be no hidden charges that can often arise when importing product from overseas.

We are adding products to our on-line store every week to make browsing and purchasing product easy for you. In the meantime, call us or email us for a quote on any other products from the manufacturers we are UK dealers for.

We can now offer a 15% Discount off Baron Custom products for all VSOC members

To get your discount simply let us know you're a member - state VSOC when ordering

For a Quote. T: 01202 862474 E: info@steedjohn.co.uk W: www.steedjohn.co.uk 
Unit E1 Arena Business Centre, 9 Nimrod Way, Ferndown, Dorset. BH21 7SH

14^th December    Butlins 2012 - Centre 16 

I have 6 places left would prefer to have 3 couples, Its at the Bognor Regis resort from Friday 24^th Feb to Monday 27^th inclusive. It's a seventies weekend and the cost is £65 per person for a self catering chalet.

My contact details are:
Tel: 07725644630
Email: weaire@wchris4.orangehome.co.uk

Regards,
Chris Weaire (C16 Dep. rep)

5^th December    Centre 18......... Re loaded

At a well attended EGM on Sat 3rd Dec it was unanimously decided that Helen Saw would become centre rep and along with Allan Loveday, Alison Cooper, Paul Wells and Christine Wells would form a new committee. All of these members have many years experience within the VSOC and are well known throughout the greater club.

The centre has decided that the best way forward is to start with a clean slate and virtually build a new centre from scratch. The centre name will no longer be "Peninsula Pirates" and the associated logo and regalia is defunked with immediate effect. As of now, they will simply be known as "Centre 18", until such time as they decide whether or not they want a nickname and logo. A new website is under construction, fresh financial arrangements and new monthly meeting points are also being arranged.

This is a great undertaking, but there is the will and enthusiasm amongst the membership to build Centre 18 back to it's former standing within the VSOC. I'm quite sure that all your friends around the Centres wish you all the best with your new venture and look forward to meeting up with you next season.