Meet the Committee

 From the Chairman, March 2026

We've had quite a number of new members lately, so it's probably a good time to introduce the Committee. 

Phil Ralls - Honorary President 

I joined the Met.Police as a Constable in 1963 having been a Cadet for the previous 2 years. After 4 years 'on the beat' I transferred to Traffic Division during which time I attended Hendon Driving School for Standard, Intermediate and Advanced driving courses and qualified as a Class 1 driver. I  had attended a Lightweight Motor Cycle whilst I was a beat officer and on joining Traffic Division I attended an intermediate and later on an advanced motor cycle course.

In 1973 I transferred to West Mercia Police and after 3 months back on the beat I joined the Traffic Department at Hindlip Hall. Initially I worked on the Motorway but not long afterwards I filled a vacancy on the Motor Cycle section.

I joined the IAM in 1987 and volunteered as an Observer. In 1988 I became an Examiner and held that post until I retired in 2014.

Mike Kent – Chairman

I did my IAM test in 2022 after retiring from 50 years as a helicopter pilot. I learned to fly in the Royal Navy, then spent my civilian existence on North Sea Oil and Gas support, Air Ambulance and Police work. Having been deemed too old to continue at the sharp end aged 60, I spent the rest of my career as a CAA Approved Flight Instructor and Examiner - a role which has provided a seamless transition to that of Observer within WGAM. I count myself very fortunate to still be able to pass on skills and knowledge which hopefully goes some way to making the roads a safer place.

Peter McCree - Secretary

I left formal education to be an apprentice engineer. Completed that and decided sales was more my style as I would have a company car! Construction industry sales then the tool hire industry followed by a safety role in the trade association. A Department of Trade & Industry project travelling the world and ultimately ten years heading the trade association of Industrial & Commercial boiler manufacturers. In addition to my secretarial duties I Observe, and also coordinate the team of "blood runners" for Midlands Air Ambulance.

David Eastwood - Chief Observer

I have been an active member of the Group for over 25 years. I was Group Secretary for three years and, apart from a short break, Chief Observer for ten years. I joined the IAM in the mid 1980s, having trained with the Chorley Group in Lancashire. I moved to Worcester shortly after and joined our Group. From around 2000, I was able to devote more time to Group activities and became a Group Observer. During the mid 2000s, I became a Senior Observer and joined the committee. I became Group Secretary in the early 2010s and in the mid 2010s moved from Group Secretary and became Chief Observer.

Andy Wildman - Treasurer

I was born near Birmingham, moving to Worcester in 1982 & my working life was spent as an engineer in the West Midlands automotive manufacturing industry. I have maintained an interest in vehicle technology & general motoring driving issues, I joined WGAM in 2010 & passed my advanced test in 2011-courtesy of examiner Phil Ralls- our current President! I was appointed to the committee as Group Treasurer in 2014

Andrew Burnett

I became a WGAM committee member and trustee in 2024. Now retired, I was originally a GP and later an NHS consultant and then director of public health. I see enabling people to become advanced drivers a new and interesting aspect of this latter role: it’s about preventing avoidable risks. Now a magistrate, I also see many who’d benefit from improved driving skills; regrettably, it’s apparent a lot don’t learn from an initial judicial system encounter and end up with driving bans through the licence points totting process. I am thus keen to promote advanced driving as widely as possible.

Mark Garnett

I am only 60 but had a brain tumour last year since removed, and now suffer from reduced vision, so probably won’t be able to drive or observe again. My working life was spent in business systems for manufacturing companies. I wasn't particularly a car person until electric cars came along, and I’ve been driving electric since 2016, done around 140,000 miles and saved £18,000 in fuel after paying for the electricity. Advanced driving is a bit like owning your first Apple device. Everyone condemns it out of hand to begin with, but once you've tried it, it suddenly makes sense. 

Glen Hurst

I left school at 15 years of age and went to work on a structured apprenticeship at a well-known machine tool company, supplying machines to the car and automotive firms, both light and heavy engines and sent to firms in UK and Europe.

I have been lucky in as much that I’ve visited many different countries throughout the world, but always on business. I’ve done a lot of driving both on the left-hand side and right-hand side of the road. I worked it out, that I had driven on business, well over 1 1/2 million miles and a lot of that was either very early in the morning or late in the evening. There were several countries that I flatly refused to drive, namely, Tunisia, India, China, and Japan because they are all crazy!

First on the Scene - a Presentation by Peter Jones

This meeting was held in early February following several days of torrential rain and I really thought that we might struggle for attendees, however I am delighted to say that for our speaker’s talk we had a ‘full house’.

A number of Associates had joined IAM RoadSmart since our last meeting and those present were given a copy of their certificate and a group pen. 

Through a WGAM initiative, Paul Hatcher of Evesham First Responders was sponsored and duly gained a F1RST.

One of our group members, Peter Jones was the evening’s speaker and his subject was, “First on Scene”.  

Peter is and Advanced Clinical Practitioner and carries with him a substantial number of first aid items should they be required when he is out and about.  He is qualified and capable of using all the items in his kit therefore always stops at incidents to assist should he be required.  Peter stressed that a simple ‘First Aid’ kit is sufficient for most people and many cars are now supplied with one from new.

  

This is a key message that Peter was keen to introduce to us.  Are there enough people on the scene and are they coping with the emergency?   In which case it is best to continue on your journey.  The questions to ask yourself, if you believe otherwise are, is there someone taking charge, is the scene being kept safe and have the appropriate emergency services been called or if I stop am I going to take charge, assist in any way or just be a nuisance.

Peter described to us a simple method of removing a blocked airway, which I had never heard of and he also went through

DR ABC (D).

DR - Danger - Response.   A for airway.  B for breathing. C for Circulation. D for Disability.  He also explained that it is very helpful to be able to advise the emergency services what action you have taken.  SBAR - Situation - Background - Assessment - Recommendation.  (You may consider that your ability and knowledge may not be sufficient to provide any recommendations.)

One question asked of Peter was in the event you come across an incident in your vehicle where and how should you park?  Tess Cooper was able to answer that as an ex police officer and advised unlike the fire service, who tend to park beyond the scene, park your vehicle behind it at a facing outward angle with your headlights on, four way emergency indicators on and don’t forget to lock your vehicle.

Finally, Peter showed us an illustration of what he calls a Hospital Transfer Form which could be filled in should the patient be stabilised and there is a delay prior to the emergency services arriving on scene.

Peter McCree