I first met Margaret in the mid eighties with her first husband Nigel. She had worked with him on the first edition of the “Driving Instructor’s Handbook” and following his death continued to work with other authors to keep that book up to date and to write and contribute to many others. She was also involved in driving instructor training and worked tirelessly to improve driving instructor standards.
Eulogy for: MARGARET STACEY RAWLINGS. Written and read by: John Lepine (One of several delivered by friends and colleges at her funeral)
Thursday 6 October 2005 Bramcote Crematorium,Coventry Lane, Bramcote, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 3GJ
Margaret first became a driving instructor over thirty years ago. Never afraid of the challenge of a test she was highly qualified in her field. She held a City & Guilds Teaching Certificate she was a Pitman NVQ Assessor (a qualification she helped to develop) she had passed all the advanced driving tests and she was a past Fellow of the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving.
It was at a training course, as an ADI NJC Tutor of Instructors that she first became known to the wider industry. The first couple of those courses brought together some outstanding personalities in our industry including Margaret and her first husband Nigel who met up with amongst others John Miller, Graham Fryer, Neil Peek, Ron Feltham, Alan Fleet and Peter Edwards.
The course tutors included John Milne who continued to be a close friend and colleague of Margaret’s until his own sad death just a few months ago.
Nigel & John continued the friendship struck up on the course and co-operated in the writing of what has become the industry bible “The Driving Instructors Handbook.” Following Nigel’s Death in 1987 Margaret continued to co-edit and update the book with John.
Margaret was very professional in all that she did and this combined with her entrepreneurial skills meant she built and ran an extremely successful business.
Her success in business was matched by her willingness to give something back and she worked without reward on a number of committees. Earlier this year the MSA presented some special awards to celebrate its Platinum Anniversary one was presented to Margaret the inscription read – In recognition of outstanding service to the driver training industry and in particular her contribution through membership of the ADITE & ORDIT management committees.
For all her success Margaret was a very modest person, happy talking to small groups she shied away from the big stage. I recall once, when it needed someone to address a largish audience she said to me – “Go on you do it you stand up there – you fill the space better than me.” I’ve always assumed it was because I was taller.
Since Margaret’s death the internet forums have been buzzing with tributes to her some very simple from people who had never met her – like the chap who put – “Very sad news, she wrote the books that helped me with the ADI exams, she must have been good I passed first time.”
And one from a member of that NJC course Ron Feltham whose sentiment I know we all share today – It was my great pleasure to have known Margaret, I shall treasure those memories…