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AGM Attendance
Should it be made compulsory for the membership to attend the AGM? I suppose the answer to that question has got to be ‘No it shouldn’t’. No, because it shouldn’t be necessary, members will turn up in droves because it is their company, they care passionately about it and this is the one occasion each year they can gain personal assurance that Dial-a Cab is in safe hands. Once upon a time, not so long ago, it was compulsory to attend the AGM. The current Board saw fit to offer the membership a way out of attending the AGM - the Postal Vote. This was accepted with open arms by the membership with the consequence being that the AGM is now almost a waste of time, it has become farcical. There are however, many other consequences that the demise of our A.G.M. triggers. Dial-a-Cab is a small company and as such I, like the founder members, believe that we, the members, should attend it.
   To digress for a moment: I am a member of the Abbey National and each year I receive its annual report. It tells me how much all of the directors earn. For those of you that did not attend last years AGM a question from the floor asked the Chairman how much the individual Board members earned, the answer came back that this information could not be divulged due to the Data Protection Act. Maybe the Abbey and previous DaC Chairman were ignorant of this fact?
   Dial-a-Cab is where it is today primarily because of the rules that were set down 50 years ago by its founder members. Attendance at the AGM has always been compulsory and out of this together with the fact that we own a share in the company – our company – has grown a greater understanding in the service we provide and a caring pride that no other radio taxi service has or ever will have. There are many drivers on the circuit today that have never attended an AGM and there are many experienced drivers who took the option of the postal vote. I say to every driver: Please Bring Compulsory Attendance Back .
   I think it is so important for the continued existence of Dial-a-Cab as we know it and for the cab trade in general. We must be seen to be united.
Paul Tully (Y40)
I agree with you Paul, DaC members should WANT to attend our AGM. Besides its importance, it’s just one day a year – hardly a gross inconvenience and I have always gone regardless of whether I was editing Call Sign or not. However, the facts are that the majority do not want to attend and to criticise the Board for giving drivers the choice is wrong. As for the Data Protection Act, while not having the actual date of its inception at hand, I doubt that too many of our past Chairmen had to worry about it …Ed

Conditions of Fitness
I really must commend you on your Editorial comments in the November 2003 Call Sign concerning the Conditions of Fitness. I consider your appraisal of this subject to be absolutely "spot on" and your final paragraph summarises the situation and emphasises its seriousness for our trade. You said: "I’m sorry to say that if the CoF review reverses its original decision, then in my view that would be the end for the London taxi trade and the beginning of us and private hire being recognised as one and the same."
   I have always been a member of the LTDA, but now realise that I am only in it for the sickness scheme and John Thomas’ holiday deals. I find their leadership on major issues that affected our trade in recent years to be absolutely appalling. Their stance on alternative vehicles for our trade is a short-term view aimed, in my opinion, at the lowest common denominator in the taxi trade. Their thinking seems to be influenced by some sort of feud with LTI and an "unfair" desire to project the products of the alternative manufacturers.
   Are we supposed to take articles as published in TAXI Newspaper – "The People’s Court" and Jeremy Clarkson’s assessment of the TXII - seriously? I agree that the TXII would not stand comparison with  the usual vehicles that Jeremy is given to test drive, but an Audi TTT for example, would not be much good for five passengers holding a business discussion as is often the case in our vehicles. ‘Horses for courses’, as they say. The radio circuits are one of the famous "vested interests" so vehemently opposed by the LTDA. If only the LTDA leadership offered some of the constructive grown-up thinking on the future of our trade that is provided by some of the leading figures within the radio circuits, maybe they would restore some of their credibility? The famous ‘drive-ins’ were a good example. Almost every driver you spoke to, or certainly those interviewed on radio or TV, seemed to have a different view as to why the action was being taken. We should not lose the goodwill of the public by taking such action unless we are all sure what the principles involved are.
   I realise that these views will not be popular with all cab drivers, but surely most of those with brains will concede that our vehicles (its safety record, popularity with the public, unique design, ability to do the job with the turning circle being a vital ingredient) are just as important a weapon in our armoury for the fight against the "vested interests" who seek to take away our livelihoods and our professionalism and knowledge as Licensed London Taxi drivers.
   I, for one, fear for the future of our trade should we turn to a people carrier-type vehicle, unrecognisable from those used by our major competitors - a vehicle with huge question marks over its subsequent residual value, an enormous issue to cab drivers planning the finances of their job.
   The current vehicles (TXII and Metrocab) are too expensive and some sort of organised pressure must be applied to, hopefully, remedy or alleviate this situation.  But to blow a hole in the Conditions of Fitness in order to allow competitors to infiltrate the market with cheaper, untried alternative vehicles would be disastrous for our trade.
Mike Holleyoake M06)
Thanks for the letter Mike. You will be interested to hear that one MD from an "alternative vehicle" company has emailed me to say that should the Cab Direct appeal not be successful, then his company will consider adding the required turning circle to their vehicles. I personally would then have no problem with his taxis – although of course, the proof of the pudding would be in the eating.
Other than that, my view hasn’t changed and your letter reflects those views accurately. Steve McNamara, who I get on very well with and whose never-ending work against the touts is often done without fanfare or gratitude, takes the opposite view and
 would like to see no limit to anyone who wants to put out a vehicle they call a taxi. Sadly, one of us is going to be wrong and I just hope it’s me, because as things stand I
believe that it is only the stringent CoF that

Call Sign Picture View Winner
Thank you Alan for the £100 cheque for being one of the two winners of the caption competition. We will be enjoying a lovely Christmas dinner courtesy of Call Sign.
Happy holiday to you and
everyone on Dial-a-Cab…
Larry Miller (S35)
Larry and Keith Hancock (R47) both won £100 in Call Sign’s November Picture View competition …Ed
Memories of Martin Gellman
Sadly, I have just heard of the passing of Martin Gellman. I last saw Martin at Call Sign's presentation of a plaque to past chairman in July 2000. He, at that time, looked well and in
good spirits so it is all the more of a shock to learn that he has passed away. My memories will always include seeing him at my first Board meeting as a newly elected member. Right away he treated me with respect and was always willing to give me the benefit of his advice. I did in fact learn an awful lot from him, which kept me in good stead for future years.
   He was the one who proposed me for Treasurer, a position in which I served for many years and later it was an honour to serve under him in that position when he became Chairman. They say that each person grows into a position and is enhanced by it. Martin took over from another distinguished man, Jack Russell, and brought his own brand of flair, ability and common sense and, I believe he could have served much longer, but being Chairman takes up an awful lot of your time and carries heavy responsibilities, very often to the detriment of one's family life, so I can understand why he thought his length of service was sufficient.
   Those who have served the Society in varying capacities are, unfortunately, soon forgotten except by those who knew them and who had cause to be thankful for their contributions over many years. But it is because of people like Martin that the Society has progressed and long may it continue.
   May I offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife Passy and family.
Aubrey Siteman
Barkingside, Essex
Aubrey Siteman was DaC Chairman from 1992 to 1996…Ed

The Next Real Gentleman to Leave Us…
When the Editor of Call Sign telephones me early on Monday morning in December, there can only be two reasons, either he requires more holiday snaps to fill up a column, or another member has departed this mortal life. Monday 8 December was no different, except that this was to inform me that the Society had lost another real gentleman and former Chairman, Martin Gellman.
   By the time I joined the Society in 1986, Martin had already served his time as Chairman and was taking it easier, although his cab was always out in North London. I first met him in the office a few days after starting with the Society, as his daughter Janine was the Office Manager and was about to leave to go into the holiday business and I was to take over from her. This very quiet, upright gentleman came in and everyone in the office spoke to him as if he were a friend, as indeed he was to very many of the staff that had served with him during his time on the BoM. Over the next few years, Martin was always available to anyone although he made it his business to keep away from the BoM as much as possible as he always believed that you elected the Board to do a job and they
   should be left to do it. The AGM was the time to vote anyone off who did not meet the standard  that he had tried to set.
   It was sad that he was unable to join the Society at the 50th

Anniversary dinner some months
ago due to ill health in his family,
 but his passing has come as quite a shock to me. Jeanette and I send our sympathy to his wife Passy and all his family and hope that the memory of such a gentle man and Gentleman will carry them through the times ahead.
   I trust that his departed soul will rest in peace and that his family can take comfort in the knowledge that a devoted husband, father and grandfather has well earned his eternal rest.
   Whilst his family have lost a very dear loved one, the Society has lost a friend and backbone on which it has grown strong over the past 50 years.
   Another real GENTLEMAN has passed on to better times. RIP Martin…
Trevor Clarke
Bishop Stortford, Herts
Trevor Clarke was the Secretary to the Society from 1986 to 2001…Ed

 Death of a Friend
I recently attended the funeral of a man that I am proud to say was a friend. He was also a member of the BoM that I chaired for a number of years. He wasn’t a Board member at the time of my election, but knowing Martin as I did then, I just knew that he would become an asset to the BoM. It just took me some time to persuade him of that and to get him to stand for election! But eventually he agreed and of course we all know the result.
   At the first Board meeting following the AGM, certain offices are detailed to certain men and Martin was made PRO. At that time we only had a few account customers and we agreed that it was essential to increase this number, as we needed some income from this source to avoid massive increases in subscriptions. Martin worked hard to achieve this with a good deal of success. I had hoped that he would take over from me following my resignation, but he was not of a mind to do so, however, some three years later he was elected to the Chair – much to my delight. Perhaps I am a bit biased, but it is my opinion that he was one of the best Chairmen this Society has had. He achieved much, despite his wife not being in the best of health, yet he ran the Society so well while considering her health all the time.
   I could go on and on about Martin but I will end by saying that the Society enjoyed many years of success under his Chairmanship and he will be greatly missed as a friend as well.
Martin, RIP…
Jack Russell
Harrow, Middx
Jack Russell was ODRTS Chairman from 1964 to 1969…Ed
 

Tribute From Martin’s Former DaC Partner
When I joined "Lords" in 1975, Martin Gellman was Chairman but I had no reason to believe that our paths would cross. Years passed until my brother-in-law introduced me to Martin in 1981. We became partners almost immediately and in the ensuing years – and several taxi purchases – I can honestly say that we had no disagreements or bad words in our 22 years as partners! When other drivers learnt that Martin was my partner, the comments were invariably along the lines of: "The best Chairman we ever had" or " What a very nice man." The partnership split in 1995 when Martin felt that he didn’t want the responsibility of a new cab, but he continued to drive a few days a week and remained a friend.
   It was a pleasure to know and work with a very caring and respected gentleman. He will be greatly missed.
   Lillian and I send our sincere condolences to Passy, Janine, Daniel and their families…
Alasdair Kay (C47)
 

And From a Newspaper Publisher…
At the time of Martin Gellman’s death and two days later, his funeral, I was tending my dear wife Ruby, who is very ill in hospital and long-time friends took the decision not to tell me about Martin, believing that I had enough to worry about. I deeply appreciate their sentiments but feel so sad at having missed Martin’s farewell. Martin was the first of a new breed of Chairman at Dial-a-Cab and under him began the long process of turning a taxi telephone organisation into a business – a legacy that carries on today under Brian Rice. But just as important to us old time subscribers, Martin was a gentleman and that is how I and many others will always remember him – a true gentleman. My condolences to all his family…
Rodney Lewis
Publisher, Taxi Globe
Hatfield, Herts
 

David Beckham and the Dial-a-Cab Connection!
Just thought I had better put the record straight, as when Russ heard me mention David Beckham (Russell’s Hall of Footie – December Call Sign), his pen ran away with its self!
   When I was a football coach (holder of a prelim badge), David played for the two clubs that I was a coach at - Ridgeway Rovers and Brimsdown Rovers. I got to know David when he was a little boy when his Mum would bring him straight from training with Spurs or Arsenal (in his Man Utd tracksuit), to watch his younger sister Joanne at Cathall Baths swimming club. In fact, Joanne was Mary and my son Nick was Joseph in their first Nativity play at Chase Lane
   School! I suppose you could say in some way I'm a distant relative! I never actually got to coach David, although I did coach football to couple of other famous stars whilst at Ridgeway and Brimsdown. There was James Foster, who played wicketkeeper for England on their last tour of Australia and Gary Lucy, who is a soap opera star, has his own calendar and is something of sex symbol to a lot of young girls! And as Russ said in his column, I taught them all they know - about football!
Dennis Heavin (A01)
Such is life, Dennis. So near yet so far! …Ed
 

Taxi Drivers of the Century!
With reference to the article on Howard Kott in last month’s Call Sign, whilst I have no wish to detract from his achievement of three wins in a row or be too pedantic, I must tell you that he is not the first to a hat trick. I won the title outright in 1989 and 1992 and jointly in 1991. Not quite consecutive, but worthy of a mention.
David Lessman (D19)
It’s worth more than a mention David because both achievements are excellent. Perhaps a future idea for the Taxi Driver of the Year Committee is an all-winners competition to find a Taxi Driver of the Century? …Ed

Band Members Wanted
I am looking for good musicians to join my band hopefully on a permanent basis, but primarily to become rapidly brilliant, enter a Call Sign competition as Dial-a-Cab’s in-house band, win £5000 and support Blondie!
Paul Tully (Y40)
Anyone interested, let me know and I’ll pass the info on to Paul …Ed

Happy Holidays…
Happy holidays to all the gang over there from all of us over here in New York City…
Michael Higgins
Taxi Talk Mag
New York
   To you Mike, your readers, our readers and everyone associated with the world of taxis, a very Happy New Year …Ed

January 2004 Call Sign Home Page

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