• Ilona Richards, founder of the Lady Truckers Club, has
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abandoned threats to quit the group and will stay on to head a "slimmed down operation". Prior to the club's annual general meeting in Derby on 25 October a disillusioned Richards had threatened to walk away because of the apathy of fellow members. But at the meeting the results of a vote revealed that a core of 28 members wanted the group to continue, despite Richards' suggestion that the club should close. "I feel the club has become too political and is not as friendly as it once was," Richards explains. "There's more finance going out than coming in, and the members who say they do not want the club to close do nothing to help." However, she accepts that the members want the club to continue as a "valuable support" for lady truckers and to pre vent them feeling isolated in a male-dominated industry. Richards, who reveals that two other women drivers are contemplating bidding to take over the club, will continue as head for the time being. She says it will have fewer meetings and parties but will concentrate on producing a better newsletter.
She also calls on members to support her more in manning stands at truck shows and showinga united front.