Hampshire Area BDS

Young people are welcome to join the British Driving Society where you’ll find a whole range of exciting activities to enjoy.

 

There are junior camps and training days, rallies and visits on offer, as well as a fabulous monthly newsletter just for the young driver membership.

 

Emily Ham, a past Commissioner for Young Drivers, has just compiled a set of easy to achieve awards that children can work their way up through. 

The BDS offers opportunities to participate fully and enjoy the experience of driving a pony and carriage even if you don’t have access to a turnout at home. At our training days and annual camps you use experienced driving ponies and horses and everything is provided for you. This has been the starting point for many young drivers who have then gone on to participate fully in the driving activities offered such as trec, showing and rallies.

In Hampshire we have quite a few junior members who we are always eager to encourage. 

There are many awards and schemes that you can take part in which are as follows:

THE IAN TOWNSEND PORTFOLIO COMPETITION

Young drivers are encouraged to keep a driving journal so why not enter the national competition?

 

Every year young drivers are invited to submit a portfolio to the Ian Townsend Portfolio competition and the winners are presented with a magnificent perpetual trophy. Both winner and Runner up rosette receive fabulous ruffle rosettes and feature in the carriage driving press. There are two age groups : 14 years and under, and 15 -18 years.

THE DAVID SNOWDON AWARDS
THERE IS ALSO AN ADDITIONAL AWARD WHICH THE SOCIETY IS VERY GRATEFUL TO THE SNOWDON FAMILY FOR ORGANISING AND SPONSORING:
 

This is something that every single young driver can take part in. There is no need to have your own turnout, no need to qualify and no requirement to attend a specific event or venue. It’s so simple! Each year you can enter your BDS activities on a record card which the organiser signs and in February of the following year send the card in to be awarded points. The winner receives a lovely horse head plaque to keep along, with a magnificent rosette. Every one taking part receives a special certificate of achievement.
 

The BDS is very grateful to John and Eileen Snowdon who run this competition every year in memory of their son David. David was a very enthusiastic and talented young driver who tragically died of cystic fibrosis aged just 15. The award is a wonderful tribute to his life and one that recognises the involvement and enthusiasm of our many young drivers.
Go on take part this year! Send off for your record card and keep filling it in.

 

There is also the Brian Sims Scholarship.