NEWS AND UPDATES
PRICE UPDATE
1 weeks notice: I will be introducing a new pricing structure from Monday 20th November 2023. I am increasing my prices slightly to reflect raised overheads. Diesel has increased on an average of 20p a litre since the late spring, as well as vast increases in other costs such as my specialist driving instructor insurance. I have also seen a considerable increase in late to no notice from pupils over the months when cancelling - as stated in T&C’s I do require 48 hours. All of which effect the turnover and profitability of my business and it’s chances of surviving going forwards. I am not able to keep absorbing the losses. If you don’t turn up I don’t get paid, but I still have fixed costs regardless. The new prices are: 1 hour £40* (Reserved for test ready pupils). 2 hours £75 10 hour block £350 Test Day £80 These are still very competitive compared to other driving schools and are comparative to the big 3 chains operating locally. I have been pressed by my accountant and advised by two driving examiners lately to increase my prices. I have an excellent pass rate and customer satisfaction rating/reviews and so I feel the new pricing structure fully reflects this. I would like to thank my loyal pupils/families for your continued support and custom. All current blocks will be honoured.
THE FIRE FIGHTERS CHARITY BALL
This year myself and my business is supporting the Fire Fighters Charity Ball by donating driving lessons and being in attendance.
Anyone out there wanting a fantastic night out of black tie and ball gowns while being wined and dined, there is still tickets available and or just donate a gift we can auction off to support such a worthy cause, so please get in touch.
Dig deep people, you never know how much you might be in need of help from the services one day!
Many thanks
Gemma Palmer ADI
SOMETHING RED
While on lesson this early Sunday cold morning in December, I saw something red at the side of the road.
An Elf!!!
This poor little Elf had been abandoned and thrown to the way side, cold and alone at Christmas!
I stopped the car and rescued him. The reasons for his abandonment may never be known, anyone with information call it in!
However now, he can be at one with my tribe, lord help him
REMEMBER folks, Elves aren’t just for Christmas!!!!
CAT C & E
Watch this space Cat C & E training in the new year!
NEWARK SHOWGROUND SHOWCASING RURAL POLICING
Various strands of policing were represented on Saturday, including the Neighbourhood Policing Teams from Newark and Sherwood, Rushcliffe, Gedling, Bassetlaw and Mansfield and Ashfield, Operation Reacher proactive teams, the force’s Tactical Support Group and off-road motorbike teams, bicycle teams alongside other rural policing resources such as the Hilux and quad bike. The dog section and roads policing were also in attendance, along with the police drones and the fire services.
The purpose was to make rural policing available to the public and meet the police officers who police the rural communities and its partners who work together to provide us with a service.
I myself gained valuable information about road safety and incidents that occur.
I jumped into a police car and had the chance to record a vehicle's speed using a handheld speed camera. My main takeaway from this event was - THINK BIKE. There is more to be done about raising learner and driver awareness in regards to this and its dangers.
Good fun was had by all, my little ones had the chance also to be involved and sat in some pretty cool police vehicles.
I myself would like to thank the services for all their hard work and dedication to us the community.
EASTWOOD GRANGE
TODAY WAS THE SECOND TIME I WAS INVITED TO PUT ON A DRIVING EXPERIENCE SESSION FOR EASTWOOD GRANGE - INDEPENDENT SCHOOL’S STUDENTS WITH (SEMH) DIFFICULTIES.
The boys today learned about the differences in the types of cars on today's roads weighing up the pros and cons. We talked about the most common driving incidents/accidents and why they occur. We discussed the importance for common sense to be used within driver training and the factors that can affect judgement and behaviour.
They did a sterling job at identifying and explaining road signs and markings together with completing a mini theory mock test, excellent work lads!
Later we drove down to the Sports Barn, popped the car’s bonnet to take a look and talk about the different components in the engine and we looked in the car at the pedals and gears and discussed the what’s, why’s and how’s.
We then chalked out a mock junction and a bay, for parking in the car park for a bit of driving experience fun.
One by one, the boys had a go in the driving seat with the full support from myself. They did several loops around, learning how to steer, stopping, starting, performing hill starts, doing junction work and lastly, they enjoyed having a go at forwards and reverse bay parking with great success.
They did a marvellous job and apparently it’s all they talked about for the rest of the day.
Great job guys.
See you after Easter
SANTA’S DRIVING BLUNDERS
Racheal Hill bared witness while on a driving lesson with me today, seeing Santa driving down a one-way road at Barlborough Hall School the wrong way!
He came nose to nose with us, while I was wearing Reindeer Antlers (for the festive season, with Christmas music on for effect).
Santa got rosie cheeks from being caught in the act by a Driving Instructor, of all people!
Never mind Santa, I will turn a blind eye this one time, it gave me and Rachel a giggle.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON 2021
Lovely Christmas Lights Switch On 2021 at Workshop, thanks Santa!
Supporting Stuart Dixon at
raise further funds for the
Bluebell Wood Children Hospice,
writing our names and stickering it on one of his beautiful Jaguars, got to love a Jag!
ROAD SAFETY WEEK
Visit https://www.brake.org.uk/road-safety-week to find out about their initiatives.
I have pledged to Brake that I will contribute to positive change to improve road safety.
As a Driving Instructor, I have a duty of care to ensure all new and advanced drivers are safe on the roads.
I am visiting various Landmarks College Sites educating and helping raise awareness to young and adult learners about learning to drive and road safety.
https://www.landmarks.ac.uk/
In addition and in the capacity of Parish Councillor, I am to work closely with other members and with the County Councillor who together aim to improve the A60 especially and look into pollution that affects our surrounding village due to high vehicle usage.
https://www.nortonandcuckneypc.co.uk/
Watch this space!
LANDMARKS COLLEGE
LEARNERS IN ROTHERHAM
November 16, 2021
Today at Landmarks, a class of 10 learners signed up and enjoyed their session about learning to drive a manual car and around driver safety in particular.
The learners engaged and asked many questions, some around learning to drive with disabilities such as Asperger’s Syndrome and Dyspraxia.
We talked about what key aspects of safe driving entails, such as good vision, concentration, judgement among many others. One of the learners put their hand up and said “Confidence”. Exactly!
The learners engaged in the flashcard road sign game and was very good at interpreting what they meant, understanding that triangular signs are warnings and circular signs mean we must obey, everyone was happy winning them all chocolates.
They especially enjoyed having a go in the driver seat, turning the car on, engaging the clutch and shifting gears, turning on the hazard lights, using the windscreen wipers and pipping the horn at the end.
A few were very keen to find out more about starting driving lessons also!
Great work team, until next time.
LANDMARKS COLLEGE
LEARNERS AT THE ARCHER
November 11, 2021
Today a group of eager learners at The Archer enjoyed the session about learning to drive and all that it entails.
They asked questions and talked about the different costs involved in learning to drive, buying and maintaining cars, tax, insurance, MOT/servicing. We discussed the differences between fuel, hybrid and electric cars and their importance to the environment.
The learners got very competitive around the road signs flashcard game challenge and they knew a lot of theory. Well done guys!
They all had their 20-meter number plate eyesight check test and enjoyed opening my car, jumping in the driver seat, learning what foot was responsible for what pedal and they tested out the windscreen washer fluid and lights, pipping the horn to signal for the next learner to have a go.
They had really good knowledge about under the bonnet and learned about the different reservoirs such as the coolant, oil and hydraulic braking fluid and their management.
Overall the team did extremely well, with a couple of learners asking about them starting driving lessons.
See you guys soon.
LANDMARKS COLLEGE
LITTLEMOOR’S LEARNERS AT ECKINGTON
November 3, 2021
Learners at Eckington today listened and engaged with my Learning To Drive Workshop.
This was an informative and interactive hands-on session both in the classroom and in the car.
They learned some key basics around car maintenance - with a Show and Tell of “what’s under the bonnet”.
They all enjoyed the Flashcard Road Sign Challenge, sharing and making sense of what they meant and winning chocolates at the end was just a bonus!
I hear the session is all they have been talking about this afternoon.
I look forward to the further sessions at other sites.
SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE
I am a big believer in setting a good example for our little ones from a young age while driving ourselves.
Learning to drive doesn’t just start when we get a provisional licence from the age of 16+ and have private tuition with parents, learning the classic Dad clutch or with a Driving Instructor.
It starts from as little as being 3-4 years old, from being a passenger in a car seat while onlooking. Our little people have their own experiences of what driving a vehicle means and often rein-act this through play.
Teaching children early on about driving a vehicle and road safety will undoubtedly have a positive impact on their thoughts, feelings and future behaviours around driving and ultimately being a responsible safe driver for life in the future.
Children learn best from seeing and doing, so it’s time to set a good example and help them on their way.
Play games with your children whilst driving your car. Spot the different road signs and markings, help them read the words and ask questions about what they think they mean, see what they can interpret from them.
Let them sit in the front car seat and point and play, (keys out of the ignition) with buttons and steering wheel, point to the pedals and talk about what they might do.
Keep it fun and informative and watch their enthusiasm grow as they do.
LOCAL CHARITIES
I am a supporter of local charities and volunteer my time and skills.
These are just some of the groups below:
INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO DRIVE?
Not sure what is involved?
Come along to a driving information session with Gemma Palmer ADI.
You will be able to find out what is involved in learning to drive, what support is available and the opportunity to sit in a driving instructors' car and learn about the car.
If you would like to join any of the sessions, please ask me or email elizabethwalker@landmarks.ac.uk
WHO IS LEANNE?
A bit about Leanne, she is my sister and she is the most loving person in the world, but like many, she feels held back because of her additional needs and society.
This is Leanne, experiencing her first ever go at driving a car.
She has significant special educational needs and mental health problems. She never thought she could drive at all. This was until now, she has sat in my ADI Kia Ceed car and drove on a private road and did extremely well.
This one drive for Leanne meant the world.
Never give up, if Leanne can do it, so can you!
BRAND NEW CAR DESIGN
Re-brand was designed and applied by my then pupil Jessica Morton, who is a Graduate in Graphic Design at the University of Sheffield Hallam.
Not only did she design and apply the new car decals, but she also designed the website and advertisements.
Jessica then only went on to pass her test, the first time with me at Worksop.
I cannot thank her enough for all her hard work and support.
Visit her website here. to view more of her amazing design work.
LECONFIELD ARMY
DEFENCE SCHOOL
OF TRANSPORT
During the recent Covid lockdown, I have invested time supporting the Ministry Of Defence to train personnel from the Army, RAF and Royal Marines to attain a category B licence.
