Birmingham Tourist Trail Celebs!

Although I've been to Birmingham before, it had always been to either the NEC or - just down the road from there - the National Motorcycle Museum.  However, a trip for a meeting allowed a bit of time for sightseeing, and one of those sights (more accurately 'two') were Steve Harris [left in the pic, aka 'Forrest Gump'] and Mark Hayes ['Flymo'] two of the stars of the Channel 5 series 'Emergency Bikers'.

http://www.channel5.com/shows/emergency-bikers/

Part of the 'Emergency Bikers' format is that events are video recorded as they happen, with cameras on their bikes and body-worn by the riders.  This 'over the shoulder' view was used by TRL when obtaining 'rider's eye view' video for a project on hazard perception:
http://www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/trl_reports/cat_road_user_safety/report_development_of_a_video_measure_of_hazard_perception_skill_and_a_group_discussion_based_hazard_perception_training_package_for_motorcyclists.htm

Development of a video measure of hazard perception skill and a group discussion based hazard perception training package for motorcyclists





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Lifesaving - There's An App For That!

http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/life-saving-skills/hands-only-cpr/app-enquiry-form.aspx

Practice Hands-only CPR with our app for Android and iPhone.


If you have an Android phone, head to the Android App Market to download it now.

Or head to the iTunes App Store to download the app for your iPhone.


This app was developed and kindly provided by Zoll.

The Bronze Sentinels

I've mentioned Greg Bennett before on here; he's a very good friend, actor and writer.

His latest work is now on the Amazon / Kindle book download store:
The Bronze Sentinels

Greg explains . . .

A young traveller boy comes to London to burgle the Queen. Waiting for him is a man who claims to be five centuries old and – thanks to an ancient elixir – ageing only a few days each year.



He represents a secret society of people considered long dead in the normal world, who now live in a dream state. In their deep trance, they have used their combined psychic might to create an extraordinary alternate universe. Our young hero encounters J.R.R. Tolkien, Florence Nightingale and Scott of the Antarctic. He discovers that the Royal Family are actually powerful psychics, asleep in the crypts beneath Windsor Castle...


But an old enemy has an army of ghosts and marionettes massing at their gates. One in every thousand who take the elixir has a terrible negative reaction – and tonight a once great man, now insane, has come to exact his revenge. His name is Charles Dickens…
Intended as a tonic and an exhilirating escape in tough times, it's Harry Potter with a gritty edge. And in this Jubilee year, here's a book that is all about being British...
This is also the ONLY book you will ever find that was written between takes on the sets of the movies "Hugo", "Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows" and "The Dark Knight Rises", as well as the TV series "Merlin", "Sherlock", "Torchwood" and "Doctor Who". It is very much written in their spirit...

DSA / Halfords Driving Test Tie-In

Driving tests could soon be available from branches of Halfords under plans announced today (10 July) by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.


As well as using traditional driving test centres, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is looking at working with public and private sector partners to provide driving test premises in selected areas that don’t already have a local test centre.

New approach to test delivery

The DSA has selected Halfords plc as a preferred partner, and is also exploring partnerships with the Fire and Rescue Service and several universities.

In one location the agency also expects to sign an agreement with training company Mantra Learning Ltd.

The scheme focuses on 21 locations, centred around 5 different areas across the country:

• Glasgow

• Kettering

• Manchester

• Watford

• Worcestershire

Starting from autumn

Testing from partner premises in these locations is expected to start from the autumn.

These arrangements apply to practical car tests. Other types of practical tests and theory test centres will not be affected.

Partners will allow the use of their premises at no cost to the DSA. Tests will still be conducted by DSA examiners.

‘Best possible service’

Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, said:

“It is vital that public services are as open and accessible as possible. This initiative is a great example of how working with partners in the public and private sectors can help to ensure that we offer people the best possible service wherever they live.


“Our aim is to provide all driving test candidates with a local service that is convenient as well as being cost effective.”

David Wild, Halfords CEO, said:

“We want to help motorists wherever we can, so we look forward to working in partnership with the DSA to provide a first class service for drivers taking their tests.”

 
 
Info from DSA View this email as a web page