Driving Test - Holyhead 1967

by Pat Dempster
(Derbyshire)

Dear Wil

My husaband Alan was stationed at RAF Valley and we were living in Holyhead when I decided that I needed to be able to drive. So I started lessons.

Can't remember the name of the firm, but I started learning in a Mini. Failed my first test in April 1967 and was due to take my second test a few weeks later.

In the event it turned out to be the 23rd of July and I was pregnant and my baby was due with two weeks.

Just to put into context, I am 5ft 9in tall and quite a large woman, size 16 in 1967 - which was BIG.

When I got into the mini the Instructor asked if I would be alright. I said, "Of course, why not!!"

I had complete confidence. Pregnancy had made me INVINCIBLE!!

I got in the mini opposite the Town Hall in Holyhead. That's where all tests started from. I drove up the road, round past Newry Beach and did my three-point turn in Holburn Road.

Then as we drove further out of Holyhead, the Instructor said to be that he would bang his hand down on the dashboard and I would then do an emergency stop.

We drove on, the hand came down on the dashboard and I did an immaculate emergency stop. I looked around and we were outside the Gors Maternity Hospital in Holyhead.

Within a few minutes we had finished the test and I HAD PASSED. My daughter Susan was born on the 10th August.

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Hi Pat,

A Win-Win in Holyhead. Congratulations on both fronts.

Most of the older Holyhead population came out of the Gors Hospital.

I'll share a secret with you. I failed my driving test in Holyhead three times. I had to go to Bangor in the end and passed first time - read fourth time.

It was coming out of the junction off Vulcan Street into Millbank that always did me in.

Thanks for getting in touch, Pat and don't be a stranger. Please share more of your memories with us all.

Best wishes to you and your family,

Wil