Bake Off judge Mary Berry shows off her talents behind the wheel
Mary Berry, the queen of bakes and the UK’s favourite Great British Bake Off judge, showed everyone recently that there’s more to her than just making the perfect Victoria sponge, by getting behind the wheel and testing out her driving skills.
81-year-old Mary left British audiences sad and upset a few weeks ago with the announcement that she was to quit the Great British Bake Off in loyalty to the BBC, after it was revealed that the show will be moving to Channel 4 next year.
What a lot of people won’t know, is that since the 1950s, Mary has been a member of what was originally known as the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), but is today recognised as IAM RoadSmart. As a long standing member and keen motorist, Mary has recently decided to complete a Mature Driver Assessment to help keep her motoring skills and driving abilities up to scratch.
The logo for IAM RoadSmart, who Mary took her Mature Driver Assessment with
The course lasts for one hour, costs just £49 and participants can use their own cars for the assessment or even bring along a friend or family member for the ride!
Sitting alongside the driver, a fully qualified expert will take participants on roads with which they are familiar and also assess their driving style, looking out for areas in which they could do with some guidance.
For a number of reasons, many older motorists stop driving once they reach a certain age, either because family members think they aren’t safe to be on the roads, or simply because they’ve lost confidence in their own abilities.
The aim of the assessment, which doesn’t come with a pass or fail, is to reassure the driver themselves, or worried family members, that they are still safe to be on the roads and have the confidence to be behind the wheel – no matter how old they are.
The winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally Paddy Hopkirk, now aged 83, is an ambassador for the IAM RoadSmart’s Mature Driver Assessment.
As a former racing and rally driver, Mr Hopkirk said: “I have taken the Mature Driver Assessment myself and the Advanced Driver Course twice. So it shows whatever your level of driving experience, everyone can benefit from a helping hand.”
Mary received her certificate for completing the assessment by Sarah Sillars, chief executive at IAM RoadSmart.
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