Call Sign November 2003 - Page 18 - COMCAB PRESENTATION TO DIAL-A-CAB ON OUR FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY

COMCAB PRESENTATION TO DIAL-A-CAB
ON OUR FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY

Within the genteel surroundings of the Charles Dickens Room at London’s oldest restaurant, Rules in Covent Garden, the buzz of cheery conversation echoed the jovial atmosphere around the luncheon table. The occasion was the presentation to Dial-a-Cab of a magnificent 'Waterford' Cut Glass bowl to commemorate our Golden Anniversary, having been serving the public and our members since 1953. The offering was a gift from the management of ComCab and their MD, Mike Galvin, did the honours. Additionally, each DaC Board Member received an engraved glass tankard.
   During his address, Mike quoted snippets from a DaC Board meeting, surprising the DaC Board members present who had, until now, thought their conversations had remained private! As each of our Board Members looked around to see who had leaked such sensitive information, Mike revealed that the minutes were from a meeting in 1953 – published earlier this year in Call Sign - and he had substituted the names of the current DaC Board! Everyone had a good laugh while Chairman Brian Rice was seen to quietly heaved a sigh of relief!
   Mike went on to explain that his own family had originated from Waterford and so the glassware had a particular significance for him.
   Although still business competitors, he acknowledged the ever-closer co-operation between ComCab and Dial-a-Cab and looked forward to even closer links in the future. Responding for DaC, Brian thanked Mike and the ComCab Board for their generosity and agreed that greater liaison between the two companies would be to our mutual benefit.
   During a short address, former DaC Chairman and taxi trade 'elder statesman', Jack Russell, recalled the early days of radio taxi operations. He told how difficult (and different) things had been back then, particularly so

Brian Rice and Mike Galvin with the beautiful Waterford cut glass presentation bowl

Brian shows Call Sign’s photographer the inscribed bowl

Come on Mike give us a break, isn’t it enough that you got on our front cover!

Former DaC Chairman Jack Russell talks bout the old days

regarding our dealings with the PCO and other agencies. He confirmed his satisfaction at seeing our two businesses working so well together while maintaining complete commercial independence.
Brian Rice told Call Sign after the event that it had been a very enjoyable lunch and that it proved that healthy competition need not mean the competitors had to be enemies.
"I hope," said Brian, "that the fact DaC always play with a straight bat has helped our friendship with the other radio taxi organisations. We play to win, but to win without any hint of cheating. On behalf of everyone at DaC, I’d publicly like to thank Mike Galvin and his Board for their very thoughtful gesture."