'The First Trip' In Road Safety

... a new book for Pembrokeshire children.

: Pictured at the launch of ‘The First Trip’ at Petrol Express, Ridgeway, Haverfordwest, are Johnston CP pupils Beth Davies, Tegan Banner and Lauren Price with (left to right), Morgan Clark, Manager of Chevron Limited, Pembroke Refinery; Councillor Steve Watkins, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council; and Phil Thompson, Public Affairs Advisor at Chevron Limited, Pembroke Refinery.; Image by: PCC

by Pembrokeshire County Council

October 20, 2006

Pembrokeshire children can learn about road safety in a new book designed especially for them, thanks to Pembrokeshire County Council and Chevron Limited.

‘The First Trip’ tells the story of a cheerful Texaco tanker (‘Textank’) and his careful efforts to deliver fuel safely in the county.

Along the way, he gives children important road safety advice, including how to cross the road safely and how to use pelican crossings.

“The book is part of a joint road safety campaign by the County Council and Chevron Limited,” said Councillor Brian Hall, Cabinet Member for Transportation and Environment.

“We would like to thank Chevron Limited for their generous sponsorship of this initiative and we will continue working in partnership to strive to reduce road casualties in the County.”

Phil Thompson, Public Affairs Advisor at Chevron Limited, Pembroke Refinery, said they were very pleased to support the scheme.

“I am confident that this book will prove an invaluable aid in teaching youngsters in Pembrokeshire about potential dangers on the roads of today,” he added.

‘The First Trip’, which features county locations as well as various road safety quizzes, was illustrated by Gary Matthews, Senior Graphic Designer at Pembrokeshire County Council.

Gary designed ‘Textank’ and the book’s supporting characters with the aid of Road Safety Officer John Gobbi, who devised the original concept.

The book was written by Keith West, former Head of English at Tasker Milward School, and researched with help from pupils from Johnston CP School.

Former headteacher at Johnston, Debbie Davies said: “We spoke to a cross-section of children about what sort of story and characters they would find appealing.

“The aim was to produce a book that was not just an educational tool, but one which the children would really enjoy reading.”

Lauren Price, in Year 4 said: “I think it’s quite educational and colourful. It makes you want to read it.” Tegan Banner in Year 5 said: “I really like the pictures, and because of that I enjoyed reading it.”

Beth Davies in Year 4 added: “I think it’s a really good book because the pictures are about Pembrokeshire, and there’s lots of advice about road safety.”

Copies of the book will be distributed to every primary school in Pembrokeshire, to be used as a classroom resource.

John Gobbi said: “The character ‘Textank’ was created as an attractive fun character and logo to support Chevron Limited and Pembrokeshire County Council Road Safety Partnership in their joint road safety campaigns.

“The concept has shown that it is possible to communicate road safety messages in a fun manner, yet with a serious tone, to both children and adults, as well as to pedestrians, cyclists, motor car drivers and motorcyclists.”

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