The Wessex Association of Driving Schools was the brainchild of Ken Matthews who was Chairman and a member for a number of years. It was formed in l975 with the object of Instructors having some form of unity, exchange of ideas, mutual aid and support.

Areas covered: Trowbridge, Westbury, Warminster, Melksham, Devizes and Frome. Driving instructors from these regions are more than welcome to join our Association. Please contact any member for further details.

The Association has a sick club, with members contributing a regular sum per annum to support anyone who is off sick. In this respect members have sometimes temporarily taken on pupils from a fellow member who is off sick. This benefits both the pupil and the instructor.

For some years we were affiliated to the National Joint Council of Driving Instructors. Much correspondence has been exchanged between the Association and the former Ministry of Transport and later DSA, by way of opinions, suggestions and complaints. We have also lobbied our various MPs.

We liaise with senior members of the DSA and also Highway Authority on a number of issues. Have regularly had guest speakers at our meetings from Highways Dept. Police, various Insurance Brokers and the I.A.M.

From time-to-time, members have acted as examiners at local road safety events and two of our members are on the local Road Safety Committee.

At one stage, the Association made annual visits to Cardington, the Examiners training centre.

On the lighter side, we have social events including quizzes, BBQs, skittles evenings and the Annual Christmas dinner.

Despite the fact the many Associations have folded we have kept going, with a strong, regular attendance at our monthly meetings. We hope to carry on and recruit new members. We meet at the Conservative Club, Roundstone Street, Trowbridge normally on a Wednesday each month.