Call Sign March 2016

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

Well, whether you like AGMs or find

when he perhaps can see the error of his ways,

his pal in Downing Street together with his pals,

them deadly dull, no one at this year’s

Messrs Hilton and Whetstone, won’t allow it

meeting could possibly attach the

because it would damage Uber, of which, natural-

word ‘dull’ to it! Considering the way

ly, Rachel Whetstone is a prime player.

things are out on the street, it was car-

Sadly after all these years, Boris probably

knows far more about vintage wines than he

ried out in an astonishingly well-

will ever know about taxis. Roll on May! The

behaved manner and believe me, hav-

only shame is that Sir Boris of England can

ing missed just one AGM since 1974,

just leave rather than get the boot! Not in a

million years would I ever have expected

I’ve witnessed some that would make

myself to say out loud that even with the

the Alamo seem like a game of chess!

numerous problems we had with Ken

The most astonishing part to come out of the

Livingstone, he was still by far a better Mayor

meeting was that when you think how bad things

than Boris could ever be!

are in the trade, you suddenly realise that each

Member of Dial-a-Cab is actually sitting on an

And TfL’s good bits!

awful lot of money! The word awful is important

I have to be fair and there are a few nice bits

because should the Society’s membership decide

about TfL that I must write of, because they are

to cash in, there will be much antagonism from

true. I’ve had several occasions of late to phone

don’t like if it turns out that they delay emergency

those taxi drivers outside of DaC telling us how

TfL because of delays in my licence and I have to

vehicles. Personally, I don’t know whether to

awful we are to put money first.

say that those I have spoken to on the other end

laugh or cry that we have politicians prepared to

One previous attempt at demutualisation by

of the phone - with just one exception mainly

spend multi-millions on bike lanes that are and

another radio circuit ended in abject failure for the

because I couldn’t understand what he was talk-

will continue to cause absolute chaos while oth-

drivers, when their nest egg turned out to be

ing about - not only appeared quickly after the

ers say they may dismantle them. It’s enough to

worth no more than the paper it was written on.

usual push button process that big companies

make you just give up...

We, on the other hand, are lucky that the invest-

now all put you through, but were all extremely

ment purchased on our behalf by Brian Rice just

helpful and seemed to have much in the way of

nine years ago that went from being just an office

Taxis and Private Hire:

commonsense that those in positions currently

building to become Dial-a-Cab House, has in that

there, sadly lack.

When will TfL learn the

short time increased in value by over five times to

The thought even occurred to me that perhaps

just under 18 million quid! That means many thou-

difference???

one of these kind souls would be better

sands each, if that’s what drivers vote for. But if

Drivers have been saying it for years to such a

employed in a higher position than those above

that is what Members vote for, there will be a

degree that defending our licensing authority, TfL

them who struggle to make any sense of the deci-

and its head honcho, London Mayor Boris

sions they come up with!

tremendous amount of jealousy and name-calling

from non-members. The next few months are

Johnson, has now reached a stage where their

going to be nothing less than fascinating.

incompetence makes that almost impossible. Yep,

Demo

I know this column has already had a pop at his

There is a report in this issue on the taxi demon-

In the meantime, those of you that weren’t

Mayorship this month, but when you sit and read

stration that was held on 10th February along

there and those who just like AGMs can read a

some of the stuff TfL - every cock-up matters - get

Whitehall. I lost count at how many I have

very long report on the meeting that took me

up to, then it is so hard not to.

attended, going right back to the LTDA organised

around three days to put together! As it says at the

For years we’ve heard examples of TfL

one where we took over the County Hall car

beginning of the article, it is as close as I can get

spokespersons talking about private hire as

park by getting there at 6.30 am, before all the

but it would have been an impossibility to do a

though there was no difference between them

councillors did, causing them to hunt around

word-for-word report. So if reading long reports

and licensed taxis. Now they have put that incom-

Westminster for a parking space. It was brilliant

on meetings is the type of thing you enjoy, have

petence into print in an important document.

because we hit them personally.

fun reading it and think of my typing finger that

TfL’s Private Hire Vehicle Licensing

This latest one was also excellent because the

ended up feeling numb!

Conditions (Responsibilities of the licensee)

turnout was huge with an estimated one-third of

has a section on changing the VRM or Vehicle

all licensed taxis being there! Others still chose to

Registration Mark. We can understand the

go to work and in my view they should feel

Sheer madness!

Evening Standard getting it wrong - deliber-

ashamed at allowing others to lose money while

Mayor Boris Johnson faced a storm of protest

ately or otherwise - but TfL? Bearing in mind

they coined it thanks to the obvious lack of cabs

from drivers of all types of four-wheel vehicles

that the TfL paper is aimed at minicabs, sure-

on the street. As Terry Buffin (S16) said at the

after revealing plans to shut an eastbound lane of

ly someone at TfL sitting in Blackfriars with

recent AGM, those not wanting to be at Whitehall

the A40 Westway to allow the building of anoth-

their six figure salaries could actually proof

could have quite easily either stayed at home or

er cycle superhighway. This on a road that is usu-

the papers that they put out with so much

taken a lunch break during the time the demo

ally solid anyway during busy periods and just

regularity first, before then allowing the

was on. Not everyone agrees with demonstrations

heavy during quieter times, but is a scheme that

world to see them.

- I’m not always sure they do a lot of good - but

the Mayor’s cycling commissioner Andrew

Under the heading of ‘Change of VRM’ and

to just go to work when others are fighting for

Gilligan - a cyclist like his boss - described as a

giving the phone numbers that private hire dri-

you, really is wrong

perfect solution! Mr Gilligan’s idea of a perfect

vers must contact, it goes on to not only tell them

Has the demo done any good? Well time will tell

solution will result in making the road unusable!

that they must bring with them the declaration on

because it probably won’t be the only one this

The loony duo are also planning to shut the

the reverse of the existing TAXI licence but also

trade has, but it will never beat the County Hall

Outer Circle in Regents Park except for a few

the amended TAXIMETER INSTALLATION certifi-

demo because the councillors were mortified at

hours each day in order to facilitate a super-

cate to show the new number! What do you mean

their parking spaces being taken and were ready to

highway linking Swiss Cottage to the West

that PH can’t have meters? This is TfL, headed by

discuss anything rather than it happening again!

End. That one would also see traffic restric-

a blond bomber who has destroyed London’s traf-

Also read the speech from Mayoral candidate

tions on Avenue Road.

fic flow with roadworks, brought the capital to a

George Galloway at the demo. A real scary

Messrs Johnson and Gilligan are acting as

standstill by cutting the road widths in half while

shocker...

though they own London and surely that is

at the same time adjusting the traffic lights system

wrong. Of course, if they are actually found to be

so that you now wait much longer and when you

Last word

mad, then they would escape the prison sentence

finally do actually start moving, have to drive

My sincere thanks to all those that came up to me

they both deserve to be sent to along with their

along in a low gear because the speed limits are

at the AGM to say they enjoy the mag. It still

TfL compatriots, because what they are doing is

so low.

means a lot to me and again, I thank you all...

literally murdering London.

Yet he thinks he has saved London and pre-

The man aiming to succeed his fellow

tends to want to help by talking of a cap on pri-

Conservative Mayor in May, Zac Goldsmith, says

Alan Fisher

vate hire numbers when it is his department that

he might consider dismantling these ridiculous

callsignmag@aol.com

brought the regulations in to start with. Now

cycle superhighway lanes that even many cyclists

Call Sign March 2016

Page 4

Reflections of the Chairman

ownership of a taxi for whatever reason

AGM

and then rents another taxi with the Dial-

It was an eventful AGM, which certainly went

a-Cab equipment in it, can he/she remain

very well especially considering the situation

a Member and Shareholder in Dial-a-Cab?

the London Taxi trade currently finds itself in.

As I stated earlier, I will initially be writing

What was particularly interesting was that for

to you all and you can state by return if you

the first time in many years I am faced with

wish to take any or all of the issues forward.

writing to the whole Dial-a-Cab Membership

If you do, then we will have a postal vote and

in the near future regarding three issues that

if the vote is to change a rule, then seventy

Members present at the AGM wanted further

five per cent of the votes returned will be

information - and possibly even a vote - on, or

needed in order for that rule to be changed.

at least some of the proposals at a later date.

It could be that if the majority of Members

So my intention will be to write to all

wished a new rule regarding the retaining of

DaC Members explaining the three issues

membership after ten years’ service to be

within the same correspondence, howev-

inserted into the rule book, then that could

er, one of the issues is delaying me at the

be done with a postal vote as it would obvi-

moment and until that situation is

being elected to that Board.

ously affect some Members immediately.

resolved, it will slightly delay the situa-

However, this time it is different as the

Regarding the change in the size of the

tion and you will understand why a little

majority of the Members present felt that

Board, if most Members were in favour,

later in this report.

that could be held over till the next AGM,

I informed those Members present at the

it was appropriate and wanted to give the

whole Membership an opportunity to

which is an electable one and the pro-

meeting that I had received an offer for your

posed new rule voted on then. A new rule

business - initially the offer seemed reason-

vote on the issue. What I will probably do

is to ask Members initially if they wish to

does not become a rule until it is regis-

able from a company within the taxi trade, a

tered so the BoM could be elected and

company that I believed would be acceptable

reduce the size of the BoM with a simple

after registered, the Board Member’s with

to Members.

Yes or No and if Yes, would they prefer to

the least votes would stand down until

Consequently, we decided to have your

elect a Chairman plus two BMs or a

the new required number is achieved.

building valued in an attempt to see if the

Chairman plus three BMs.

At the moment, the above is hypothetical

offer we received for the Society was

Finally, an issue was raised with which I

and no doubt events will become a lot clearer

acceptable. There is a clause in the ‘Heads

have some sympathy. As many of you know, it

in the future so none of the above, or how we

of Agreement’ that says both parties must

is now becoming increasingly difficult to pur-

go about the issues, are cast in stone. After

agree on a valuation for the Society with-

chase a second hand taxi, due to the fifteen

all, if you decide to demutualise, then the

in thirty days of Dial-a-Cab getting a valu-

year rule and I know some of our Members

changing of our rules will become obsolete

ation for your building, so at the time of

are in a situation where they do not wish to

so before you bombard Call Sign or me with

writing that is the issue that’s holding up

buy a new taxi because they simply can’t

questions, please wait just a little longer to

the process.

afford it, or they don’t consider it a viable

see how the issues develop.

Personally, I believe the price will be too

proposition due to the number of years they

I have merely attempted to relay to all

high for the third party as the valuation we

have left in the trade.

Members what they might expect in the

received for the building was £17.9million.

The second hand market is almost non-

future and also to let the Members who

When you consider you paid £3.7m when we

existent, so the Member whose taxi has

were at the AGM know their requests will

bought the building back in May 2007, I think

reached fifteen years does not have much

be acted upon...

you will agree that we have done rather well.

alternative other than to rent a vehicle.

However, we have to realise that the building

That then begs the question as to whether

Brian Rice

is only worth that figure if someone is pre-

if a Member has been a shareholder for

Chairman

pared to pay that amount.

ten years or more and has to relinquish

That leads me to the three issues I men-

Dial-a-Cab

tioned earlier. The majority of Members

present, when they realised the potential

value of their property, wanted me to

write to all Members to ask them if they

would like their property to be sold, with

PAUL’S TAXI SPECIALISTS LTD

any proceeds distributed to Members. But

of course, in order to do that we would

first have to demutualise the Society. So

Unit 10, Ford View Industrial Estate, 83 New Rd Rainham, RM13 8ET

please bear in mind that any correspon-

dence will only be in an attempt to gauge

Tel: 01708 553037

the feelings of Members, to see if they

want to take it to the next stage by having

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TX2 servicing from £70

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BoM is too large, that we do not need five

TX4 servicing from £90

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because what that produces is discontent-

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I always felt that it would be inappropriate

for the BoM to put this rule change forward,

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Web: www.PaulsTaxiSpecialists.co.uk

as some would accuse the Board of forming a

clique in an attempt to deny other Members

Call Sign March 2016

Page 5

rtemis Mercer, who with other taxi

drivers wives started the #SaveTaxi

Facebook group last year in support

#SAVETAXI NOW BATTLES TFL!

of the taxi trade, has launched a

drive to raise £600,000 to fund the initial

And they need your help NOW!

phase of getting a Judicial Review against

The Crowdfunder campaign will target

TfL. Artemis has established Action for

London’s 25,000 licensed taxi drivers to raise

Cabbies as a private company to spearhead

the required money, with further finances

the campaign. It will use the platform of

expected to be required if Action for Cabbies

Crowdfunder.co.uk to help the new group

is successful in securing the Judicial Review.

secure the Judicial Review. It bases that on

It will also be open to others who wish to

the grounds that TfL was wrong to grant a

contribute, although it will be unlike many

licence to Uber and its drivers in 2012 as the

Crowdfunding efforts in that there is no

licensing authority had failed to follow the

prospect of a direct return on the funds

correct procedures.

invested.

“There has always been a two-tier system

Action for Cabbies has warned that

with private hire vehicles on one side and

unless TfL's decision to grant Uber a

black cabs on the other,” Mrs Mercer, whose

licence is revoked, the black taxi industry

husband is a taxi driver, told Sky News. “TfL

will be decimated “...and the iconic black

did not follow those regulations in 2012: it

taxi rendered extinct.”

went from being a law-enforcer to a law-

The first day raised

£31,412 of the

maker and in doing so it compromised public

£600,000 needed, with the latest total reach-

safety and cost black cabbies the opportunity

ing around £200,000. But there are only a

Artemis Mercer and Action for Cabbies

to compete on a level playing field.”

need your help. If you haven't yet

few weeks left and if you can help, go to:

The group will again repeat that Uber

http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/Action-

donated, don't wait till it's too late...

drivers use a meter of the kind that

for-Cabbies and click on Pledge to sup-

should only be available to licensed taxis.

port the fund.

Artemis said the Uber app did not imple- standards as rigorously as those imposed

Your livelihoods may depend on it...

ment insurance and public safety on black taxis.

Book Review

LONDON TAXIS IN CAMERA

A taxi history in pictures

Bill Munro is quite probably the taxi trade’s most prolific writer with every book published by him always worth reading;

so the second and enlarged edition of London Taxis in Camera (Earlswood Press, £21.99) is one book that I just had to

look at.

With so many problems besetting this business, it’s important we know where we came from as well as where we

want to go to and this book shows that quite beautifully - after all, who knew there were quite that many taxis to fill

160 pages with photos! Many of them are in colour and have never been seen in print before - in addition to histories

of the cabs and even some of the early garages!

The book begins with a time “before” taxis where it explains the difference between Hansom Cabs and taxis, why

having no meter made a difference and what happened when they were introduced.

The first definitive part of our history that Bill writes of is the Edwardian period, the introduction of the London

Cab Co of Brixton and its 500 Renault taxis. That in itself was somewhat prophetic as around sixty years later, Michael

Gotla introduced the vehicle that became known as the minicab - Welbeck Motors Renault Dauphines. And as you

would expect in such a comprehensive look at the trade, there is an informative piece on Welbeck.

But it’s in the chapter on the 1930s and WW2 that familiar names to current - albeit older - drivers start

to creep in with taxis such as the Beardmore and Austin Low Loader. There are photos of taxis both in ser-

vice as cabs and also as fire engines during the war and as it does throughout the book, full explanations

of who, what and why are alongside.

It is in the Post-war section of London Taxis in Camera that I found my favourite photo in the book. Yes, it’s in

black and white and quality-wise isn’t the best because there was obviously a bit of the old London smog around,

but I found a fascination in seeing a rank of Nuffield Oxford taxis filling up the whole of Westminster Bridge on

20 November 1947 waiting for passengers at the wedding of the-then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip of

Greece and Denmark; of course later to become Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh!

Then there was the story of the 1954 Monte Carlo Rally and how the BBC’s only sports show of the time

Sportsview covered the event with Peter Dimmock and an FX3 apparently pulling up in a Glasgow street to pick up someone

in a bowler hat who “asks” to be taken to Monte Carlo! Hardly earth shattering but an interesting piece of history that most wouldn’t know about in addition to

the historical facts that abound throughout the book.

Moving along to the twentieth century, that section begins with a photo of a demo that I’d forgotten all about, even though after reading it I remembered being there in

my FX4! We were demonstrating against the-then Labour government who had failed to compensate the trade for the raging inflation that was going on. Happy memories?

Probably not, but it nonetheless made fascinating reading.

Also in that section, the beginning of wheelchair access and how the United Nations became involved plus the advent of the Metrocab and Asquith in addition to the

various LTI progressions. Then there is the part that many still curse - the advent of all-over livery advertising. Also included is a piece on our “little green huts” and of course

the latest taxis including the TX4, the Vito and many other strange looking variations - who remembers the Lucas electric taxi - before ending with a history of the PCO,

something many detested, but would love to see back now after watching TfL in action!

I have many taxi books in my library, beginning with a first edition of Anthony Armstrong’s 1930 book, TAXI that told of the daily grind of London taxi

drivers between the two World Wars. Then there are most of the books by Bill Munro and the late Phil Warren in addition to many attempts from other

authors to portray parts of our business. But I have to say that London Taxis in Camera is by far the best one of them all!

Unlike some of the taxi books I’ve seen where the photos and text look as though they were just copied with a cheap copier and stuck into a book format, the photos

here are excellent with clear and precise explanations as to what’s happening. It caters for both those who just like the historical aspect as against those who are more

mechanically minded and like to know how things work! I come in the first group and have to say that it was so informative that I will soon be reading it again!

London Taxis in Camera (Earlswood Press, £21.99) is available on Amazon and various different outlets. Earlswood are doing a postal service where you can order the

book online and get it for £19 including postage, or £22 including postage for anywhere outside the UK for the benefit of Call Sign’s 8000 + internet readers. USA readers

can find it in bookstores and various outlets...

Alan Fisher, Call Sign Online

Call Sign March 2016

Page 6

Jery’s

World

Not bad! We’ve been here 3 hours and earned an extra fifteen million quid! We’ve had worse days!!!

If you find updating the DBS every time your

licence expires a hassle, now there is a...

DBS UPDATE

SERVICE

hink back to when your three-yearly taxi drivers licence expired and the hassle you

got trying to update your DBS certificate (formerly known as the CRB check).

Call Sign has received numerous complaints from Dial-a-Cab drivers over how long it is taking to get a completed DBS check.

First there’s the online performance, followed by a visit to the Post Office with not one or two ID documents, but three! According

to LTPH, it is the DBS that holds up the renewing of the licence; so if you didn’t have that, not only could it save a lot of hassle but

also a lot of time... and if you could also save money? Well now you can do all that!

The Disclosure & Barring Service have an update service that means once you have received your DBS certificate and

decided to subscribe to the update service, then you need never apply for a new one. LTPH - or any employer - will just

need the membership number and can check that there have been no changes to your original DBS without any delays.

There is a fee of £13 annually to subscribe to the update service when you apply for your DBS certificate. That compares favourably

to a three-yearly fee of £56.85 but means that you will no longer be required to apply for a new DBS certificate or have the frustrat-

ing wait associated with it. So what do you have to do? Well it has to be done within 19 days of your next renewal. Once you have

completed the DBS form and have your application form reference number, just log onto the DBS website and join. You will need a

credit/debit card. If you prefer to just go through the performance every three years, then that option will still be there...

Go to the DBS website at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service for more details...

Dennis Latchett

Call Sign Online

Page 7

Call Sign March 2016

ondon Mayoral candidate, George

Galloway, has said several times that

should he be elected as Mayor then he

GEORGE GALLOWAY SENSATION!

would attempt to kick Uber out of

He claims money will or has changed hands

London. As his son-in-law is on the

Knowledge and as he has also expressed his

between Uber and the decision makers!

admiration for London taxi drivers, that may

abiding citizens in the beginning

not be surprising. But what was something of

and throughout their lives as cab

a shock was listening to an off-the-cuff speech

drivers.

he made to some cab drivers and representa-

There is no other explanation for

tives of the press at the February

10th

the unleashing of an unregulated,

Whitehall demo, standing just yards away

deregulated, deskilled, unknowl-

from Downing Street. His words were cap-

edged workforce deployed against

tured on film by Dial-a-Cab driver John

the cab trade. There is no other

Davis (V41).

explanation for the bonfire of stan-

Mr Galloway said:

dards and regulations and laws that

“I’ve always spoken directly to cabbies -

you have been forced to face.

7 years on TalkSport - and in the great

My son-in-law goes around

struggle that you have now had to under-

London all day and every day on a

go at the hands of Uber and the corrupt

moped, building up his skills just

relationship with the Government behind

as every one of you has done; he

me. When I saw George Osborne sitting

did so in the hope of a dignified,

free and gratis in the stand at the

skilled trade to keep him and my

Superbowl last weekend, all was clear - if

grandchildren for the rest of his

it hadn’t been clear before.

working life and it’s plain that it is

I’m saying now, in the presence of

being destroyed by these hucksters

microphones and cameras, that money is

behind me who have told us - or at

changing hands now or in the future

least told Boris Johnson: Leave

between Uber and their owners and the

Uber alone!!!

people making the political decisions that

And my goodness, that is an

relate to the taxi industry.

instruction he has certainly

There is no other explanation possible

observed! He hasn’t laid a finger on

for a relentless war that has been

Uber.”

unleashed against skilled workers, small

Judging by the cheers from drivers

businessmen and women with high levels

of skills, who pay taxes as law abiding cit-

George Galloway at the demo shocks with

at his words, the majority seemed to

agree with him...

izens, who have to prove that they are law

corruption comments!

Call Sign March 2016

Page 8

Bob Francis (Y98) has been on

Dial-a-Cab 11 years and a taxi dri-

ver substantially longer. He recent-

TfL and insuring

ly asked himself a question he

hadn’t thought of before. The TfL

consultation on Private Hire sug-

PH vehicles

gested a possibility of making

PHVs pay the congestion charge

can choose to get their own insurance, it

must obviously meet our requirements.

and to also compulsorily carry or

Almost all of our drivers choose ours as it is

display a copy of their insurance

very competitive.

details at all times...

“We regard the current situation with TfL

“So I thought Call Sign readers might

as appalling in relation to PH insurance. We

find this interesting,” Bob told us. “A num-

have been told openly at TfL meetings that

ber of years ago I wrote a letter to Mayor

with 17,000 - or whatever the number is

Boris Johnson headed How not to pay the

that Uber operate - that it is no surprise

Congestion Charge by registering as a

that a few will have no insurance!

Private Hire Vehicle. The answer I got back

“I said this to TfL officers directly: I never

(admittedly not from Boris himself) was a

thought the day would dawn when Hire &

load of gobbledegook, basically saying that

Reward insurance was an optional extra in

TfL had checks in place to stop that from

the PH industry. This goes against primary

happening.

legislation and is not, in my view, for TfL to

“Well, on a recent weekend I saw a 15 reg-

decide. We are champions of operator insur-

istration plate Aston Martin Vantage

ance, ie operators do as we do and that is to

(priced from £87,500 to £149,000) with

ensure that every single PH driver has Hire &

Private Hire roundels on it. At that moment

Reward insurance. Nothing less is good

I thought: Stuff the taxi, I want to know

enough.”

what minicab firm he works for because I

TfL’s Board will be discussing the con-

Bob Francis was shocked by what TfL

can do that!

sultation proposals on March 17 and

told him about PH insurance

“Of course I didn’t, but when I came back

they include both the insurance ques-

from dreaming, I did some checking on

tion as well as whether PHV should pay

travel in yet do not check that they have the

what PHVs could and couldn’t do while get-

the congestion charge. However, if they

necessary correct insurance in place!

ting licensed and this is what I found in the

insist on PHVs only needing third party

Naturally, London Licenced Taxis can

Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Licensing

insurance to get a licence, then it would

only be plated if they have Hire &

Inspection Manual V6 (01/10/2014).

seem to confirm the view that many in

Reward in place at the time of the

PHV insurance complies with 7 (2) (b) of

the trade already have - both taxis and

inspection...!”

the Private Hire Vehicles Act

1998

the respectable side of private hire - that

(London) 7 (2) (b): That there is in force

Call Sign then spoke to Mike Galvin,

TfL are just not fit for purpose.

in relation to the use of the vehicle a policy

former MD of ComCab but who for many

Bob Francis came back with the last word:

of insurance or such security as complies

years has been with Addison Lee, cur-

“I still feel very strongly that vehicles should

with the requirements of Part V1 of the

rently as Head of Regulatory Affairs at

have H&R insurance in place at time of

Road Traffic Act 1988; and (c) that any fur-

the PH Company. We asked him about

inspection. Even so, the fact we are actually

ther requirements that may be prescribed

the many PHVs that apparently go to be

talking about it and that it actually needed a

are met.

licensed but are allowed to use just third

consultation to decide the answer, shows

The Road Traffic Act 1988 section V1

party insurance with TfL’s blessing. We

that TfL don't actually think things through.

covers third party liabilities and you can

asked if Addison Lee use Hire & Reward.

The acronym, KISS

((Keep It Simple,

find that at:

He told us:

Stupid) is a phrase TFL would do well to

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1

“In short yes, all our vehicles are insured all

grasp...”

988/52/contents.

the time. We provide the insurance centrally

In two weeks’ time, we will know the

(it’s our own company) and although drivers

answer...

“To save Call Sign readers checking out

all the above, what it appears to mean is

that the only requirement I needed had I

been a PH driver was Third Party insurance

to register a vehicle for Private Hire use.

Naturally I didn’t believe that and so I tele-

phoned the TfL booking line and asked

what insurance I needed for PHV licencing.

The answer - and I quote - was quite aston-

ishing:

“Any insurance will do for inspection.

It’s up to you to sort out Hire & Reward

afterwards!”

I think that quote is worth repeating

because it comes from our licensing author-

ity, the organisation placed on this Earth to

make sure that passengers are safe! They

said:

“Any insurance will do for inspection.

It’s up to you to sort out Hire & Reward

afterwards!”

“So there you have it, you can currently

congestion charge - albeit you do need two

MoTs. But what’s far more worrying is that

TfL actually licence vehicles for the public to

Call Sign March 2016

Page 9

Do you ever find

Another true story from Geoff Levene…

other cab drivers

to be embarrass-

ing? Sometimes it

Wasn’t that embarrassing!

might just be a

joke. You’ll be

when you hit another cab. One lunchtime I

my early days of cabbing, I was going down

stuck in traffic

decided to park on the rank in Carey Street

Green Street in Mayfair when a large truck

with a job in the

while I picked up a sandwich in Chancery

came towards me. I pulled over and touched

back; a mate

Lane. There was one cab right at the front

- and I do mean touched - the bumper of a

pulls up along-

and another at the back. So I parked behind

parked cab. Out came the driver - an old boy.

side, his window

the front cab. There seemed to be a gap

The first thing I noticed was that the top but-

rolls down and

behind me and that was when I discovered

ton of his trousers was undone. He bent

he yells out: “Are you still having those fits!”

that it was a four cab rank, albeit a bit of a

down to examine the non-existent damage

You and the passenger have a good, if uncom-

squeeze. I got my grub and was halfway

and told me to be more careful. I was full of

fortable, laugh.

through my crayfish and rocket sandwich

contrition. Just imagine the scene; he was

But sometimes things make you feel really

when a cab pulled up alongside and asked if

leaning back against my double-parked cab,

uncomfortable... like the two drivers who

I could move forward a bit so he could get in.

which was making a narrow road even nar-

were standing on the pavement by the only

This was going to be interesting. Then he

rower. At that moment, a Bentley came down

two cabs on the Acacia Road rank when up

started.

Backwards

and forwards

the road at speed. I don't know whether the

walks a job. Both drivers get in their cabs

and

bump! I glanced in my mirror for a

wing mirror touched his trousers or it was

with neither thinking it might be a good idea

wave of apology, but nothing. Backwards and

the draught that the car caused, but suddenly

to open the door for the passenger. It's only

forwards and

bump. But again zilch! Then a

all the buttons of his old-fashioned flies

a little thing, but people do appreciate it.

third time... nada. This time I got out just as

popped open and his ‘kecks’ fell down

Have you noticed when a passenger

he squeezed in. He got out of his cab carrying

revealing a pair of long johns. He looked up

comes out in the early hours, they close

a sheaf of papers. There was no damage but a

to the heavens and wailed: “They’re pulling

the front door as carefully as they can and

‘sorry’ would have been nice.

my trousers down!”

tip-toe down the front path before whis-

“Are you going to be long,” I asked?

I couldn't do anything but drive away.

pering their destination? It makes you

“About twenty minutes,” he replied non-

Embarrassing or what...?

feel that you shouldn't actually start up

chalantly.

“If you need to go you can

the engine but push the cab away instead!

bump me. I hit you five times.” And I had

Geoff Levene (W32)

I suppose we've all had to call the AA in the

only counted three!

early morning at some time or other. When

Call Sign Online

But I must confess to a bit of ‘previous’. In

those guys are working, they clunk and clank

with their tools without any thought for those

asleep in their beds. And why shouldn’t they?

It's their job and after all, it’s not easy to

change a tyre quietly!

Stone Setting for

But it was while doing a two cab job the

other day that I wanted the earth to open up!

The other driver was a bit ‘mutton’ - well

Ray Sorene

more than a bit, with the result that he was

shouting at the top of his voice. At six-thirty in

the morning, it was still dark for Heaven's

sake! What could one say?

It was at a similar time on a beautiful

still summer's morning that I was picking

up in Hampstead. The customer had spec-

ified the driver not to ring the bell or

phone, obviously not wanting to wake up

anybody. After a few minutes, the front

door opened and he approached the cab.

My finger hovered over POB. This was the

old terminal and sometimes odd things

happened when you used its functions.

For instance, if you were on the Sloane

Square rank and did a ‘Queue Position’

the automatic doors at old Royal Court

Hotel on the other side of the square

would open! If you did it often enough,

the staff would come out scratching their

heads as they tried to work out what the

problem was.

But back to Hampstead on that lovely quiet

The stone setting for the late Ray Sorene (A53) will be held at the Western

morning; the man got in - the same man who

Cemetery, Bulls Cross Ride, Cheshunt EN7 5HT on Sunday March 13th at 14.00.

didn't want to wake up his family or the

Ray joined what was then ODRTS in 1969 just as Jack Taylor was handing

neighbours... and then I pressed POB. But

over the ODRTS Chairmanship to Jack Russell. When he left Dial-a-Cab

there was a sports car parked in front and my

POB caused the alarm to let out the most ear

because his cab had reached its 15 year limit in 2014, he had become the sec-

splitting screaming that I'd ever heard. Babies

ond-longest serving driver behind Alan Lewis (A44).

started crying, dogs began barking and cur-

On a personal note, there were a number of occasions when with very lit-

tains twitched! He asked what happened and

tle notice, Ray would act as a Call Sign photographer if Alan Green (E52) was

I just said that perhaps a cat had set the alarm

suddenly called away.

off - even though I knew exactly what had

Above all that, Ray Sorene was also such a lovely man.

really set it off. But at least we didn't ring or

Alan Fisher

call!

One thing that is highly embarrassing is

Call Sign March 2016

Page 10

CALL SIGN AT THE DEMO

n estimated one third of

London’s licensed taxi

fleet all assembled in

Whitehall on February

10 to demonstrate against several

things. If you asked five drivers,

you would have got five different

reasons why they were there, but

the important part was that all the

trade organisations supported the

demo and if nothing else, that

would have put the wind up Her

Majesty’s Government. Until

recently, we had all assumed that

TfL were to blame for our ills but

recent events have confirmed that

they are just the whipping boys -

At least

albeit well paid ones - of David

8000

Cameron and George Osborne.

taxis

According to Len Martin, UCG Chairman:

were

“The choice is simple, if London wants its

there

highly regulated, safe and on demand gold

standard taxis, there needs to be a clear

understanding that we aren’t supported by

the taxpayer or charities. Government must

not allow private hire operators to ignore the

legislation. The taxi trade cannot survive with

unfair competition.”

Mick Bailey, the RMT Chairman added:

“Plying for hire is the thing that’s got to be

dealt with. We’ve got to get it in the House of

Commons and we’ve got to prevent this gov-

John Davis

ernment from dismantling the Licensed Taxi

(V41)

Trade in London.”

polished

DaC Chairman Brian Rice said: I have never

his cab

been militant and always looked on myself as

specially in

someone who prefers to talk, but I have my

case the

doubts that anyone in the Government cares

PM came

enough about our trade to lower themselves

out!

by talking to us. Certainly TfL are no better.

That’s why I supported this demo.”

Uber’s Jo Bertram picked demo day to offer

black cabs free commission on fares for a year,

but Call Sign could find no one that was

tempted.

Unfortunately, something of a damper was

put onto the day when news filtered through

that the LTDA’s High Court challenge, which

asked a judge to declare that the construction

DaC's little

of the segregated cycling route from the Tower

drummer boy,

to Westbourne Grove without planning per-

Marc Turner

mission was illegal, had failed. LTDA QC Mark

(R97) telling

Lowe said the association had consistently

the world

opposed the cycle superhighway on behalf of

we're there!

its members but that the project had gone

ahead without planning permission or an envi-

ronmental impact assessment as required by

the EU EIA directive. TfL described the super-

highway as “works of improvement” not

requiring permission or an EIA.

Some even suggested that the timing was

deliberately set for the day of the demo. As if...!

Alan Fisher

Call Sign Online

Call Sign March 2016

Page 12

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT THE 2015 AGM

Sunday 7 February 2016 saw the

Jimmy came back and said that some of the

something, the Chairman added, that does

younger drivers with mortgages and cabs to

happen in business!

2015 Dial-a-Cab AGM held again

pay for could “go to the wall” this year. He

Kevin then spoke about ComCab and JPM.

at the HAC Barracks on City

suggested we stripped the company down

He said that our rolling rank had worked

Road. What follows are not the

and formed our own app. He agreed with

really well but that CC just give a passenger

official minutes, but an unoffi-

Brian’s old Call Sign articles about run-ins

name and some passengers were now wait-

and gratuities etc and that you should never

ing in excess of 15 minutes. His question to

cial record of the meeting as

cut wages, but added that we were “knack-

Brian was whether we were in touch with

captured by Call Sign Editor

ered” and going nowhere. He wondered if we

JPM. Brian explained that the account was

Alan Fisher. It is not a full record

would even be here in 18 months’ time.

now operated from New York and while he

and neither should it be taken

Brian said that while we would never

constantly emailed them, they rarely

return to the halcyon days of 2006, there was

responded. He added that Keith Cain also

as including every word said or

no question that we would still be here. He

emails them but with little response. Brian

indeed the exact wording spo-

reminded Jimmy of his last sentence of a

said that he’d keep trying because DaC gave

ken. Some paragraph grammar

2007 Chairman’s report in Call Sign where

JPM an excellent service for many years and

has been sacrificed in order to

he said: “This is as good as it gets!” He said he

should know that we are ready whenever

could see the writing on the wall. Not that

they wanted to return.

make the report as compact as

long afterwards, the country went into reces-

Kevin then asked about the loss of JPM and

possible. Approximate atten-

sion and after coming out of it, 2012 saw

the Citigroup so close together and whether

dance was 96, not including

Uber licensed and we started all over again.

we offered no run-ins etc. Brian repeated the

the BoM…

He said that all customers really wanted was

set of circumstances that ended with us losing

“cheap” and that Board Members would con-

JPM, confirming that we offered no run-ins etc

The meeting opened at 11.00 with Chairman

firm that when you go to visit customers, they

to Citi and yet still couldn’t compete with the

Brian Rice asking for the traditional one-

bang you over the head with Uber compar-

prices offered by Brunel cars.

minute silence to remember those that had

isons. Jim confirmed his view that the Society

Kevin ended by asking if the BoM could set

passed away during the previous 12 months.

should rebrand itself as an app and put much

an example by cutting back and Brian

Approval was then requested and given for

of the blame to the trade’s current position

explained why Board costs had increased

the presence of accountant Mike Tovey, two

down to the 2012 London Olympics. Brian

slightly. Among the reasons was Joe Brazil

DaC ladies Jacqui Chart and Shelagh Adkins

reiterated the points he made in his Financial

coming in to learn the ropes and DaC build-

and two sound engineers. The Chairman

Report earlier that an app isn’t a guarantee of

ing a new website and its associated costs.

pointed out that those who had already voted

success because otherwise why would

Brian also told the drivers present that Mike

by post should not vote again...

Cab:app try to raise £500,000? He also said

Son came in just one day a week while Garry

that last year Hailo spent £3 for every £1 they

White only came in for Board meetings. Kevin

2014 Minutes

earned. They have huge amounts of money

asked why Garry didn’t have a job and Brian

Minutes of the 2014 meeting were passed.

behind them yet they lost £22million. He said

said that getting on the BoM was no guarantee

There were no matters arising…

that whatever we did, we just don’t have

that they would get a job and that in reality

those resources and cannot compete with

there just weren’t enough jobs to go round.

Annual Report including the

that. Brian also said that perhaps an amalga-

The Chairman said to Kevin that if he felt that

Chairman’s Report on the

mation of all three radio circuits might be

strongly then he should propose a rule

another way forward. Jim wasn’t happy about

change cutting the number of BMs and then

Financial Statement

joining with ComCab and complained about

they would all get a job.

Brian Rice gave a lengthy synopsis of the report.

the terrible service they give to passengers

Next up was Patsy

You can read that on page 18 of this issue...

using Taxicard. He said we had given that an

McCarthy (C01) who said

excellent service for many years but ComCab

there was no way we could

Questions on the

give most of the work away to minicabs, with

compete with Uber and said

Financial Report

some people having to wait for in excess of

that we had a major asset

First up was Jimmy

two hours. Brian didn’t disagree but said that

that we should sell and split

Edwards (E76). He asked

sometimes you had to bite the bullet for the

the proceeds of between

Brian Rice if we had a game

greater good. As Jimmy stepped down, Brian

DaC shareholders while it was worth a lot. He

plan, pointing out that TfL

mysteriously added that we could actually

said that he joined ODRTS 48 years ago when

staff were on six figure

have a plan...

we were based in Afleck Street off

salaries and that the only

Kevin O’Connor (T75)

Pentonville Road and suggested that we

people that weren’t earning

was next up and started by

knock Dial-a-Cab House down and build a

were the drivers.

saying that he agreed with

block of flats or an hotel! Although we’d need

Brian agreed and said that going forward

Brian’s views on TfL. He

to use the services of a company that knew

was going to be difficult if TfL refused to help

then spoke about ComCab

what to do, we would still make a fortune with

the trade. The Chairman confirmed that at least

and about the way they take

apartments in the area going for £1million

we had an asset behind us (Dial-a-Cab House)

accounts and whether we

each! The Chairman asked Patsy to take a

and that we could carry on. But as for a game

had tendered for Freshfields. Brian explained

guess at the valuation of DaC House, bearing

plan, he said that had to be an amalgamation

how CC had taken Freshfields and that it was

in mind that Brian on behalf of the Society

with one or the other or even an outright sale.

nothing to do with any tenders because they

had bought it for £3.7million back in July

But then again, would you buy a company that

hadn’t sent any out. It was purely to do with

2007? Patsy said around £9million, but Brian

was losing money? If two circuits were to amal-

who knew who and a former member of

then shocked everyone by saying that he had

gamate and operate from a single premises

Radio Taxis staff who was the Account

just had the building valued following an

with economies to scale and cutting down that

Manager for Freshfields. He moved to

organisation (unnamed, but neither of the

company’s overheads, then he said that really

ComCab and took the account with him,

other two radio circuits) showing an interest

was the only way to proceed.

Call Sign March 2016

Page 13

All you need to know about the 2015 AGM (continued from page 12)

in buying the business. It came back with a

he seems to appear on every Call Sign report

Board for. He then repeated that we should

valuation of £17.9million if it could go up to

on the meeting! This year he spoke on credit

have had an app and that it was now too late.

ten floors and substantially more if it went

cards and the Mayor’s decision to make cred-

Brian came back to Tony and said that we’d

higher as next door was already doing. An

it/debit card acceptance compulsory in all

had an app for years and that we do a substan-

audible gasp was heard from the floor as the

taxis. He queried how DaC would cope losing

tial amount of our bookings via our app and

Chairman continued saying that however bad

all the 10% charges, as this had now become

that current account and credit card cus-

things were, they had put an extra £14 -

our largest earner. Brian said that all the credit

tomers could use it at any time, but that when

15million assets onto the Society giving us a

card machine suppliers would make a rental

drivers accepted the trip they wouldn’t know

total asset value of around £25million! He

charge with drivers paying the 3% in return

whether it was via an app, phone call or

spelled out alternatives that would give us and

for the meter starting at £2.60 instead of the

online booking. It was just an account ride to

reiterated that he completely understood the

current £2.40. All the companies - including

drivers. Tony felt that all our work should

building didn’t put work into the back of our

DaC - had argued against that but as usual TfL

come via an app and that it would mean direct

cabs, but that it wasn’t all doom and gloom as

took no notice. He thought it would add up to

contact between drivers and customers, mak-

some made out. He compared it to another

more refusals but if it went ahead as seems

ing contact easier and cutting out problems

radio circuit that had to sell their asset in

likely, DaC would have to increase subscrip-

involving incorrect pick-ups etc. Brian came

order to pay their growing debt and now with

tions, but added the BoM had plans on the

back and said that they try to push every cus-

no assets, had to pay £300,000 a year in rent.

subject that they didn’t want to reveal yet.

tomer to book via our app, but that not all

Patsy thanked Brian and said that in that case

Brian also told the drivers present about

account customers wanted an app and many

we should do something with the building

being approached by a company connected

preferred the way they currently ordered cabs.

that could earn the drivers money, rather than

with rebuilding of next door and how they

He agreed with Tony that we were seeing

keep struggling to pay bills and end up leav-

wanted to build a mezzanine floor above our

more and more people using apps even

ing with our £50 share. Brian estimated that if

car park for a period of three years. We would

though there were lots of empty taxis avail-

we got the full market value, each member

keep our car park but they would build porta-

able. He read an email which he felt would

could be on close to £20,000! Patsy ended by

cabins on the mezzanine floor. They offered

explain why that might be. It referred to

praising the Chairman but saying that the time

£45,000 for the three years, which DaC turned

Addison Lee and a pricing ad that went to

had come to cash in our assets or invest it by

down. Then someone else contacted us and

their customers: W1 to Heathrow £39, W1 to

building an hotel or apartment block. Brian

following negotiations, raised the three year

the City £16 and Clapham to Islington £20.

said that if we were to go down that road, we

total from 45k to £ £510,000 into the DaC cof-

That’s why they many look at their phones - it

would probably be better off selling the build-

fers. The Chairman went on to explain why

was often down to price. Tony came straight

ing to a developer as our knowledge of build-

that deal would not affect any sale.

back and asked what was the purpose of a

ing apartment blocks probably wasn’t that

Next to the lectern was

Board if we couldn’t compete? Patsy

good! He added that since the valuation, the

John Rubini (F55) who

McCarthy interrupted and said we couldn’t

interested company had pulled out as they

spoke of the possibility of

compete against those prices. With that, Tony

couldn’t raise that much capital but if that was

reducing the Board to fewer

stepped aside, looking rather disconsolate.

the route members wanted, then we would

than its current number. He

It was then the turn of

have to demutualise and rent smaller premis-

said this was just an observa-

Shawinder Singh (H66).

es elsewhere, adding that there was no longer

tion but asked if it was such

He thought we took our

a need for that much space. Even the Control

a good idea to reduce Board numbers, why

eyes off the ball when talks

Centre was taking just 47% of trips via the

the BoM didn’t just bring it in as it needed 25

of a merger first appeared

phone with the other 53% coming via online

members to put it forward otherwise. Brian

and that because drivers

or DaC’s app. Harking back to last year and

said that he felt it could make it seem that they

smelled money, we stopped

the problems we had with Cab:app when they

were protecting their own positions if they

looking at our real problems. He said he felt

were threatening legal action and sending

brought it in, but added that if members

we could become leaders once again and that

solicitors letters because they wanted to buy

approached them about the rule change then

he would vote against any merger anyway. He

DaC yet were showing very little in the way of

they would support it. John spoke of the sav-

added that

£10k,

£15k or even £20,000

funds, now they were trying to raise half a mil-

ings we could make and again asked what the

wouldn’t change anyone’s life and he would

lion, which Brian said proved he had been

Board were waiting for? Brian said that he did-

rather the Society remained intact. With tech-

right to refuse to discuss it with them. As for

n’t want anyone to think the BoM were trying

nology always moving forward, DaC as a cir-

Radio Taxis, he hadn’t discounted them, but

to make themselves into a closed shop. John

cuit could continue giving us work as a whole

we were the ones with the money and yet they

disagreed and said they accepted there was a

rather than a one-off payment. He said if we

wanted to come in and take control! It wasn’t

need to save money and the BoM should put

discarded our platform and eventually the

going to happen that way, the Chairman

it forward. Brian said fewer BMs would mean

Society itself, we would be worse off. He felt

repeated. He apologised in that although

less chance of drivers getting on.

we should get the BoM to offer cheap fares

things were going on, it wasn’t always possi-

Tony Sam-Yorke (W95) was next and

with no run-ins etc and that we would eventu-

ble to put it all into Call Sign due to Non-

spoke on finance. He began by referring to

ally reclaim our place as number one.

Disclosure Agreements.

DaC as an exceptional circuit and said most of

Shawinder made the point that he would

Paul Willett (V12) was

the drivers in the hall had been there through-

rather work for less individual fares if it meant

next and wondered if we

out the good times as well as bad. He contin-

that we got more work and that his hourly rate

could develop another way

ued by saying that we had missed the app rev-

actually went up.

forward in case selling

olution and that people were hailing cabs dif-

Following Shawinder was

didn’t happen and Brian

ferently now because they wanted a cab to

James Powell (G23) who

said he would write to mem-

come to their front door. He said the Board

said that non-radio drivers

bers asking whether they

were paid to get us work but that as years

were also not making any

would be interested in selling the building

went by, there had been a slow decline that

money, that our chances of

and sharing the dividends. Paul said he

left drivers suffering. He asked why Keith

recovering were less than

assumed it wouldn’t be in Board Members

Cain hadn’t got us work even though that was

very slim and that the best

interest to demutualise and compared it to

what he was paid to do. He quoted a Call

and only real option was for us to sell the

turkeys voting for Christmas.

Sign article written by Keith that said if any-

building and we could then take our money

Terry Buffin (S16) is in his twenty seventh

one knew of possible accounts that might be

and go our own way. He said he had been on

year with DaC, still looks as he did 27 years

interested in DaC, then they should let him

other circuits besides DaC and that AGMs

ago and obviously loves speaking at AGMs as

know. But, Tony said, that’s what we paid the

were always the same - how much we spent

Call Sign March 2016

Page 14

All you need to know about the 2015 AGM (continued from page 13)

on stamps etc. But he felt the trade as a

on? Brian couldn’t give a definitive answer but

was wrong to grant a licence to Uber and its

whole had been going downhill for the past 8

said that some were in a worse position than

drivers in 2012 as the licensing authority had

years. Jim was also uncomplimentary about

us. He cited ComCab who had shut down

failed to follow the correct procedures. Adam

drivers that worked at Heathrow describing

their offices in Edinburgh as well as Liverpool

said only 2000 out of 25,000 drivers had con-

them as dirty and rude. He asked why anyone

and Birmingham because they were losing so

tributed and asked if DaC would consider

would want to use them when they could get

much money. That was with no run-ins etc

making a donation. Brian said that he felt it

a Mercedes limo for less with a smartly

and in many cases actually only charging just

would be wrong for the Society to donate but

dressed driver. He felt we’d been screwed

80 percent of the fare. Whilst Brian added that

that as an individual he had made a donation.

into the ground with no way back. After Jim’s

cut price was the only way to go, their sway

He agreed that drivers should donate and

depressing picture, Brian joked that we were

wasn’t the best way to go. Jon left the lectern

had met one of the ladies behind it - Artemis

only on the first floor, so jumping out would

with a sad look, but hopefully his sense of

Mercer - recently. He told her we were a

be of no use!

humour still intact!

mutual trading organisation and couldn’t

Next up was Jon

Javid Raja (N72) then

make donations of that kind but showed

Robinson (E88). He said he

spoke about how we could

Artemis a copy of Call Sign where we publi-

had just one question,

defeat Uber and said that

cised the collection and are doing so again

which knowing Jon meant a

would be through the

this issue. Brian reiterated that drivers should

long time at the lectern! His

European Commissioner

donate on their own behalves but explained

one question was how long

for Competition. Javid

that the money would not automatically get a

we could carry on as we

explained his reasoning. He

Judicial Review. It would then be up to a

were. The Chairman replied that we currently

said that the Commissioner had been on

Judge who would say yes or no. If he said no,

had around £5million in the bank and work-

Radio 4 and when asked why she hadn’t

then that was it! But if it went forward, it

ing out the loss figures after depreciation, said

done anything about Uber or Google’s “cosy

would then be a case of whether the proce-

that would last around five or six years. Jon

tax deal given by the Conservatives,” she said

dure was carried out correctly and not if it

came back (with question two) and asked if

no one had complained to her! Javid said that

was right or wrong! A Judicial Review is not

that meant that drivers wanting their money

the Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell,

automatic just because you have the money.

had to wait up to six years? Brian said that was

had since complained to her. To calls from the

But Brian wished them luck. Adam said they

only if nothing happened in the intervening

floor of agreement, Javid said that what Uber

had collected £100,000 out of the £600,000

period but that if it didn’t, then yes, it could

were getting from the Government was tanta-

needed and was really there to inform those

be five years. For question three, Jon suggest-

mount to state aid and then called for the

that didn’t know about it.

ed that we would then need to diversify? Brian

DaC Chairman to take the lead on behalf of

replied that if we sold the building and

the trade in defeating the menace we faced.

Auditor’s Report

divvied up the money, drivers could still go to

He had some rather disparaging words for

Representing

DaC

work but that DaC would be different to what

leaders of other trade organisations. He criti-

Accountants,

Moore

it is now. Jon came back with question four

cised some of the trade speakers representing

Stephens, Mike Tovey gave

and asked whether selling the building would

us on television and said that on behalf of the

a brief report adding that

accelerate our demise? Brian said that if we

whole trade he wanted Brian Rice to repre-

the Chairman had covered

sold now and added our cash to it, drivers

sent us with the European Commissioner.

most of it already. But he

could get maybe £19,000 or so but if they

Brian said that he had never been a quitter

said the Society was at a

wanted DaC to continue then they would

and would always stand up for the trade

turning point where it could make decisions

have to leave some of that in the pot in order

whenever possible, but thought that Uber was

that would influence the future, but it would

to operate the business... but drivers would

a ‘done deal’ and spoke of the “friends” of

be awful if we ended up in a situation where

still get a substantial amount each. The busi-

Prime Minister, David Cameron, who were

the future was in someone else’s hands

ness left would be exactly that - a business

also God-parents to son Ivan, who sadly died

because we ran out of resources. He said that

and no longer a mutual trading society. Jon

some years ago. One of those “friends” was

although we have a nice amount behind us, it

then said we were at the crossroads and either

formerly a big cheese at Google and was now

wouldn’t last forever.

worked cheaply with no run-ins, gratuities or

the same position at Uber. It was the PM who

Tony Sam-Yorke (W95)

waiting time etc or got out of the market

helped Uber get where it was. Brian also

asked Mike whether he felt

place. Brian said he tended to agree with the

shockingly added that TfL meetings with the

that DaC should sell the

last speaker that he was reluctant to see our

trade also had a member of HMG present to

building, take our money

wares go at a ridiculously cheap price. People

make sure TfL didn’t step out of line! He said

and run. Mike said we had

wanted a top-class service but didn’t want to

that throughout the years, any group of work-

to decide whether the busi-

pay for it. The DaC Chairman then spoke

ing class workers seen to be earning a good

ness could be competitive

about the cost of a new cab and wondered

living were beaten down. It was, he said, sad

but added that it was showing signs that it

how much an electric one might cost and

but true whilst also explaining that many

can’t. If we sold the building today, it would

aligned that to ultra-cheap fares, suggesting

Uber drivers were subsidising their ultra-

put a lot of money into the bank but wouldn’t

the two were incompatible. He felt that TfL

cheap fares with tax credits paid for by people

affect the underlying performance of the busi-

should help reduce our overheads while

like us. He got around to answering Javid’s

ness - in fact it could make it worse as you

increasing those of the minicab fraternity. He

request by saying that it should be a taxi trade

would still have to find the rent from some-

said that even if we had no run-ins, no gratu-

organisation and not the Chairman of a mutu-

where and if that came to £300,000 per year

ities, no waiting time costs and then slashed

al trading organisation.

then it would exacerbate the performance and

admin charges and even the actual fare, we

Last on financial ques-

make it even worse that it was. He said in his

would still be unable to compete on price! He

tions was Adam Harrison

view we couldn’t afford to sit on an asset such

compared the meter rate of £3.89 per mile on

(A19). He spoke about the

as the one we had just to save DaC having to

tariff three with Uber’s £1.25 per mile and

attempt to collect money

pay the rent. The area around Shoreditch is

said it was difficult! He also spoke about

via

a Crowdfunding

currently white hot, but we don’t know what

Addison Lee who for years had been buying

scheme in an attempt to get

it would be like in two years. The bubble

up the competition. In the end there would

a Judicial Review. He said

could burst and we could now be in a posi-

be them and Uber. The corporates would

his wife was with #SaveTaxi and the group

tion where the timing was as good as it got.

choose AL while the public will stay with

had established Action for Cabbies as a pri-

But even selling wouldn’t improve the busi-

Uber... unless we got some help. Jon repeated

vate company to spearhead the campaign. It

ness. The only way that could be achieved

his first question: How long could we carry

based the possibility on the grounds that TfL

would be to consolidate it with other busi-

Call Sign March 2016

Page 15

All you need to know about the 2015 AGM (continued from page 14)

nesses in the same trade and even that might

could understand the views being expressed

Members what they had

not fix the problem. He said that making the

but felt that there were alternatives to at least

done. Joe Brazil replied

business bigger while reducing overheads

look at. Many drivers, he said, were keen to

first saying that so far he had

could be the only way to go back to profit and

get some money out of the Society by selling

been involved in updating

added that all three London circuits together

the building, but by doing that it didn’t mean

the complaints meeting pro-

as one could be profitable. Tony came back

that the business would have to close. You

cedure and a rationalisation

and said that after listening to Mike and the

could have your money and DaC could then

analysis programme for

meeting, he thought we should sell.

still carry on. There was no reason why there

looking at excessive run-ins. There was the

After saying that he didn’t disagree with

couldn’t be a much smaller fleet providing a

interview he was involved in with Brian for a

Tony, Brian Rice then explained some figures

service to those that wanted a proper service.

new Sales executive, he’d also been involved

in more detail saying we had dropped

That’s why people stay at the Savoy and eat at

in the new website with a design for the

£620,000 income in administration charges

Le Gavroche, he said. The Chairman reiterat-

encompass launch, photography for the web-

from customers, but also dropped £446,000

ed his view that drivers could still take the

site, the software testing and the recce

in subscriptions. We had no alternative in

money but that he would hate to see DaC

involved before all that, a collation of fixed

order to maintain coverage and members to

close. The applause from drivers seemed to

fares for use on Tenders, he was part of the

lower the subs, which we did to £10 a week.

indicate that they agreed with him.

logo design team and looking at the staffing

The two figures combined came to

Pat Keefe (G01) spoke

levels throughout the company and where

£1,046,000 but had we been even where we

next and asked Brian if he

savings could be made. He ended by saying

were at this stage last year with the same

wanted to be remembered

that there had been substantially more but

amount of admin and subs, we would have

as the Chairman who saw us

“that should keep Laurence going!”

shown a profit this year. It really is a finely bal-

go skint or the Chairman

Laurence then asked the

anced situation. He went on to talk about the

who saw his drivers leave

same question to Garry

benefits of consolidating two into one and the

with a golden handshake of

White and it became appar-

fact that you’d only need one set of Board

£20,000 each - one possible figure mentioned

ent that Garry was quite

members, one call centre and one building

earlier in the meeting. Brian replied that he

upset. He started by saying

etc and that once the initial costings were

wanted to be remembered as the Chairman

that Joe had been involved

taken out of the way, he estimated roughly

that left DaC with £5million in cash, who

in much more than him so

that in around two years you could be looking

bought our building for £3.7million that is

obviously had done more. He said he original-

at around £2million in profit. Mike came back

now worth £18.9million and the Chairman

ly suggested someone going into Sales but

and said that would still depend on how

who walked out leaving £20million of assets.

that Brian had said no because the CV had

things were out there and nothing could be

Colin Jenkins (Y22) said

contained a typo and we did nothing after

guaranteed, while Tony ended by saying that

that he would be very sad to

that. He said that we now had one but it

he felt we should sell while we could and sug-

see DaC go but that it was

would have been better three years ago. He

gested a vote.

inevitable. He felt it

said he once suggested that we should be

Laurence Kelvin (W88)

wouldn’t be necessary to

leading the app market and gone in when

was next and said that if

change a mutual status in

Hailo entered the minicab market and that

Brian’s suggestion regarding

order to share any money,

would have helped subsidise our accounts.

VAT being dropped on cabs

comparing the situation to that of several

But he said the Chairman told him it would

was taken up, would that

years ago and the Christmas bonuses we gave

involve a rule change and that it wasn’t feasi-

not mean that all taxi values

out. He suggested selling up, sharing the

ble. Then he was put on Compliance but after

would drop by 20 percent?

money after buying a smaller building but not

the last AGM he was taken off when Brian said

Brian’s answer was yes, but that all new taxis

demutualising and instead have a type of

he received complaints about his compliance

would be 20 percent cheaper and that would

incentive scheme in order to facilitate the

and that he wasn’t good enough. He then said

come to much more than the money dropped

share-out. To laughs, Brian said that if he did

if we were doing so well on Compliance now,

on second hand cabs. Laurence then asked

that, would Colin visit him in Wormwood

how come we had some 500 drivers on Gett.

what type of responsibility “companies” had

Scrubs because it was illegal as HMRC would-

He said he now just attended Board meetings

towards their shareholders. Mike said that it

n’t like a £25million share-out without getting

and listened more than talked so that he

was really a legal point rather than an account-

a piece of the action!

could hear what had happened during the

ing one but in his view any BoM would have a

Next came voting to accept the Auditor’s

previous month. He said he probably sound-

responsibility to do what they could to rea-

Report, approve the Annual Report and to

ed a bit bitter but hadn’t put his name forward

sonably and diligently protect their sharehold-

reappoint Moore Stephens as auditors...

just to attend Board meetings. Garry sounded

ers. However, the Board of a Mutual such as

upset as he inferred that the Chairman had “a

DaC are more like custodians than risk-taking

Any Other Business

Board in his image and that they were ageing

entrepreneurs, existing in a mutual way but in

First under AOB was

guys who weren’t looking to take the Society

a business sense. That does mean that a mutu-

Russell Poluck MBE (T55).

forward.” He said he felt the Society did have

al could never be as fleet-footed as a commer-

He pointed out that most of

a future in the cab trade, albeit a slightly differ-

cial interest. Laurence then asked if Mike had

the members present were

ent one. He spoke of a plan to make DaC the

seen a business in deep decline come out of it

in their later years and that

leaders in accepting credit cards involving the

and become profitable again. Mike said he

in his view, younger mem-

whole trade and that we could become credit

had seen examples of businesses in decline

bers couldn’t care less about

card takers. We could then use the money we

recognising the symptoms, acting on them

the business. He thought the postal ballot rule

made out of that to promote the cab trade, ie

and recovering. But it couldn’t be left too late

should be looked at so once again it became

what taxi drivers did - and that was picking

otherwise it becomes too late and exponen-

compulsory to attend AGMs. He called it dis-

people up.

tial. Laurence came back and said he had been

graceful that so few members could be both-

As he finished, Brian said that Garry sound-

on DaC for over 40 years and felt that it could

ered to give up one day a year to attend and

ed bitter but went on to explain that he’d had

be time to admit defeat and that while we

to help run their own business. Brian replied

complaints about the way Garry was dealing

have substantial equity, we should sell up and

that the only ones that would vote to keep it

with the complaints procedures and that he

share it out.

would be those that turned up anyway and

wasn’t carrying them out correctly. He went

Brian responded and said that he had been

that it would be a wasted vote.

on to say that he was in a difficult position

on DaC even longer than Laurence and that

Laurence Kelvin (W88) returned to the

because had he removed Garry from compli-

he would be really sad to see it go. He said he

lectern and asked DaC’s two newest Board

ance before last year’s AGM, some would have

Call Sign March 2016

Page 16

All you need to know about the 2015 AGM (continued from page 15)

said he had done it because of Garry’s inten-

were to happen and the cab owner at a later

that had been just a few days earlier Joe hadn’t

tion of standing against Brian for the position

date rented the cab out to another driver, that

had time to bring it up but would do so at the

of Chairman. Once the election was over,

person would then be entitled to anything a

next Board meeting to DaC’s Sales team and

there was a Board meeting where the Board

shareholder got. But he also added that

the new Sales executive.

as a whole - not him - decided that Garry was-

Martyn or anyone else could put in a rule

Terry Buffin (S16) asked

n’t up to doing that job. Brian added that the

change that stated any member forced to sell

whether Brian and the

job was now taken up by Allan Evans who did

his taxi and who had been on DaC for more

Board should think about

it in addition to his own job of Operations and

than a certain number of years and had to rent

the possibility of selling the

Control Centre Manager, adding that it wasn’t

a cab, would remain a member and be enti-

building and asked for a

a particularly huge task. He went on to say

tled to anything an owner-member was. A

show of hands as to how

that he was surprised to hear Garry talk as he

brief discussion with Martyn followed about

many were interested. Quite

did because as of late, he thought his attitude

how that could be achieved and a show of

a large number of hands shot up. He said that

had changed. Garry disputed that, but before

hands was called just to get a snapshot dri-

waiting for another AGM would mean another

it went any further, Laurence came back with

ver’s view. That put the figure of how long a

year going by and that we could end up losing

another question regarding DaC having a

driver would have to have been on DaC in

money if property prices suddenly fell. Brian

smaller Board. He called for a show of hands

order to rent while continuing to retain mem-

answered by saying that perhaps the best way

and most went up in support of the idea.

bership at 20 years.

forward would be to let the valuers know we

Laurence said he felt it could go ahead with-

Martyn then moved onto the proposed GPS

would look at any potential offers and see

out waiting for another AGM and a rule

system and asked Brian if what he had read in

where that gets us. If there was an offer that

change. Brian said he would look at writing to

Call Sign that it was ready to go and that 100

looked interesting Brian, as Chairman, would

the members regarding a possible postal bal-

drivers at a time would be going over to it was

write to subscribers to tell them the situation

lot and Laurence agreed that the new BoM

true. When the Chairman confirmed it, to

and see whether they wanted to take it fur-

could consist of a Chairman and two BMs.

laughs Y97 asked if just for once we could

ther. But then if other offers came in, it could

Brian said that some would think he was start-

start from Zulu and work backwards as he

keep going there and back and end up taking

ing a clique but that if members were in

was fed up with Apple cabs going first on

till the next AGM anyway! He said that if most

favour then he would put the postal ballot

everything and Yankees always having to wait

were thinking of selling, then he would go to

into operation. He reminded Laurence that a

until almost the end! The Chairman asked

the valuers and see what the best firm offer

PB would require a 75% majority. He added

Shelagh Adkins, who is overseeing the book-

was and just put that one forward to the mem-

that once the rule - if passed - was registered

ings for the new system’s fitting, to put Martyn

bers to vote on. However, if we said yes, then

then if three BMs did not voluntarily stand

at the head of the queue while jokingly asking

we would have to demutualise the Society

down, there would have to be an election via

Martyn if he had ever heard of the maxim...

first.

a postal ballot or even an EGM - but that judg-

never volunteer!

Terry continued by talking about fixed price

ing by the AGM attendance, most members

Next were raffle results organised by

trips below the meter but on which the driver

would vote by post anyway. Brian also

Russell Poluck MBE (T55) on behalf of the

then had to pay 7.5 percent + VAT. He asked

dropped a hint that he might not stand again

TDoY committee.

whether it was fair to charge that 9 percent

as Chairman.

Javid Raja (N72) then addressed the dri-

after the driver was already losing out on the

Martyn Madden (Y97)

vers and asked Brian whether DaC was going

meter anyway. Brian understood but came

spoke next. The 30+ year

to make a contribution to the SaveTaxi

back by saying the Society had to earn money

veteran at DaC asked that

Crowdfunder appeal towards the cost of try-

from somewhere and reiterated how much we

bearing in mind the current

ing to get a Judicial Review. Brian said we

had dropped in subscriptions. He spoke of

situation and also the price

wouldn’t and explained the reasons saying

the fact that DaC were only charging £10 per

of new taxis and with elec-

that the Society would like to, but felt that it

week which covered the mapping, satnav and

tric ones being on the way,

wasn’t our place to do so and instead it was

credit card PED, but that if we still charged the

was it necessary for Dial-a-Cab to remain as an

up to every driver to support it individually.

original

£30 a week then there would be

owner drivers’ organisation? He said he’d read

Brian didn’t disagree with Javid saying that TfL

money to play with and Terry’s suggestion

pieces from drivers in Call Sign regarding the

were our biggest threat and that this could be

might have been looked at. He added that in

difficulties in buying a second hand taxi with

our only chance to defeat them and said that

most fixed price trip jobs, destination and

so many being close to the 15 year rule, that

he had already personally contributed, but

price was shown and in most occasions the

allowing current drivers to remain on the cir-

reiterated that drivers should do so individu-

drivers take them. He admitted the few com-

cuit but with a rented cab could be an answer

ally. Brian pointed out that info about the

plaints came from those who worked very late

to a big problem. Brian replied that he agreed

now-named Action for Cabbies had gone

and compared the f/p to the final meter read-

with Martyn and that there were good drivers

into Call Sign and Javid then asked the Editor

ing on Rate 3. He added that DaC had to earn

out there who could be forced to leave

if he could put it onto the front cover for the

some money and that if they didn’t subtract

because of the Mayor’s rules and that would

next issue. Alan said it would go in but putting

the 7.5 percent then they would have to

be a shame. He said if the owner agreed to

just text onto the front cover wasn’t practical

increase the £10 per week subscriptions. Terry

become a bond holder, to allow his cab to

in a glossy mag but that he would make sure

ended by saying that he would be going on

sport the DaC logos and not have a livery, then

it was prominently shown.

the Whitehall drive-in the following

DaC would allow the driver to remain on the

Javid then went on to ask Brian if DaC

Wednesday and gave a heartfelt plea for those

circuit with a rented taxi. Martyn asked

House could have some charging points for

drivers that had no intention of going, to at

whether it would need a rule change. The

electric cabs. Brian said that it wouldn’t be fea-

least not go out to work until it had ended or

Chairman said that this was something that

sible as they couldn’t have many because

to perhaps have a long lunch.

had happened in our past and under a form of

there just wasn’t enough room and currently

Jason Hunter (A90)

grandfather rights it could easily be reinstated.

there was no way of knowing what type of

referred back to Martyn

A rule change, he said, would only be needed

charger would be needed as the cabs weren’t

Madden’s query about dri-

if the bond holder element was to be done

yet built. Javid then asked Joe Brazil about

vers renting cabs and con-

away with.

something he had mentioned to him in a pri-

tinuing as members. He

Martyn then asked whether such a driver

vate capacity regarding a company that were

pointed out a resolution

could retain his share together with his vote

looking for a taxi supplier, but where no one

passed at an AGM that said

and any share of profits made should DaC

had yet gone in (Call Sign isn’t mentioning

drivers had to be on DaC for two years before

ever sell the building. Brian said he had sym-

the name for obvious reasons - our 10,000

being able to vote etc and asked what the dif-

pathy with Martyn’s point but that drivers

online readers in addition to our competitors

ference was between someone that had been

should take into account the fact that if that

who read it from cover to cover)! However, as

on DaC for 3 or 4 years and someone who

Call Sign March 2016

Page 17

All you need to know about the 2015 AGM (continued from page 16)

had been here 20 years? Brian said that he

good and spoke of one in particular that he

Adam said that if we had our phones used it

didn’t disagree with Jason but that the 20

said was really bad. Control Centre Manager,

would save money by getting rid of the fitting

year suggestion had come from the floor and

Allan Evans, told Jack that

bay. Brian said he believed drivers like the

that drivers would have to decide what the

trip was no longer on a fixed

functionality of the terminal in addition to its

final figure to be voted on should be. He

price. Sam then went on to

large lettering. He also said that looking at a

added that the rule Jason was talking about

say that drivers needed a

phone could constitute a danger. Adam then

was different to the one Martyn had pro-

loving arm around their

asked about having an iPad. Brian replied that

posed and it’d have to be a new rule regard-

shoulders and that he had

drivers would leave them in the cab and con-

ing renting. He did say that the time period

phoned Allan several days

stantly be broken into. He added that we also

could be any figure drivers wanted, but it had

earlier and that it still hadn’t been done. Allan

needed a sim, which in the terminal’s case was

to be just one figure. He called for a show of

told Rupert that it definitely had been done

a data one. Otherwise some would try to rip

hands whether drivers present wanted 20

and Pete thanked him and said he hadn’t

the terminal out.

years or 2 years and 20 won.

noticed. Allan said that many long trips now

Joe Connor (N64) said

Mike McGlynn (F60) was

had fixed prices but shorter ones with f/p’s

that re the years’ drivers had

the driver that had originally

were put into the system several years ago and

been on DaC before being

proposed the rule Jason was

were just updated when fares went up. But

eligible for retaining mem-

talking about. He said it

the one that Tom had mentioned no longer

bership, all the drivers that

applied to drivers that had

had the price that Malcolm had spoken of.

had stayed since 2008 when

joined before May 2004 and

Bert then asked whether we still had any input

things started to get bad

that after two years you had

into Euston Station following a shout from

were the true members and they should be

surely proved that you wanted to be a driver

there last year. Brian Rice

eligible for renting without losing member-

on the circuit and that the circuit by then

said no, explained who was

ship. There was applause and Brian said it was

would know what you were like. He originally

now doing it and said that

a fair point and asked drivers if their previous

thought - this at a time when an offer had

one driver who took a trip

20 years vote should be reduced to 10 years?

been made for the Society - that those on 30

to Gatwick on that occasion

Drivers seemed to agree.

years’ service would get more than those with

had gone via the Westway

Rob Roney (C14) was

2 years should there be money coming. But

and M25, even though it was

last and started by saying

he was told that you were either a subscriber

around 5 in the morning and going through

that he thought many

or you weren’t and that any dividend would

town was a doddle. As a result, it added about

wouldn’t like what he was

have to be shared equally between Members.

£80 to the expected fare and the account

going to say - Robert Lyle

Mike also spoke of a time several years ago

rarely returned after seeing that. Brian said we

immediately showed con-

when he earned £1500 prior to Christmas

even offered £2.80 a mile, but they hardly ever

cern about his carrot cake!

when the Society paid £5 per job over a cer-

come back. Allan Evans said they even offered

Rob said he thought reducing the Board at the

tain number in order to assist coverage. He

to go down to £2.50 a mile for some trips,

moment wasn’t the right thing to do and sug-

said we didn’t have to demutualise then, so

lower than they had ever gone, but the trips

gested that if other companies saw us reduce

why was that different to sharing funds if we

went to Addison Lee who offered £2 a mile!

the size, they could assume we were in trou-

sold the building? Brian said that when they

Brian said that we had taken a job to Wales

ble and offer much less that the building was

gave away a total of £521,000 as an incentive

the previous week at £3 a mile and the driver

really worth. He also spoke about the previ-

it was vastly different to dividing up £20mil-

got back from the 200+ miles round trip in

ous year when he only just managed to find a

lion + for selling the building!

around 4 hours! Lance then asked whether

second hand cab and might have been in a

Accountant Mike Tovey came in and said

we could subsidise some trips via the £5mil-

position where after 30 years, he could have

there was a tax question attached to the sub-

lion we had in the bank. Brian said that it

lost his membership and everything associat-

ject. He said if the Society were to distribute

wouldn’t be practical and that as drivers were

ed with it. Rob went on to say that he had a lot

£15 or £20million to drivers then HMRC

given the pick-up, destination and the price,

of respect for Mike Tovey and considered that

would go after individual drivers for income

they had the choice of whether they wanted it

he always gave us the truth. He wasn’t too

tax. If you demutualise and had shares in the

or not.

keen on some of the current BoM and also

company and then sold, you would pay capi-

Joe also asked whether DaC had taken on

some past members, whereas others he

tal gains tax which would be 18% for some

someone to do marketing as they had previ-

thought had done a good job. But fortunately

and 28% for others and a lot lower in addition

ously said and the answer was yes. She was

for Call Sign he didn’t name anyone!

to you being allowed £11,000 as a capital gain

currently in our employ and had worked on

Nevertheless, his point was that you needed a

every year, so there was a significant advan-

our new website in addition to being very

full BoM rather than a small few. He then

tage in doing things that way. Brian came back

good on tenders. With that, Bob continued his

spoke of the time it takes to get planning per-

adding to what Mike had said re the £11,000

search for a piece of his carrot cake!

mission and of how developers of the build-

in that with member’s agreement, the divi-

Marc Turner (R97) was

ing next door had overpaid because they had

dend could be paid beyond the first 12

next. He spoke of trade orgs

the time to sit on it for however long it took.

months with a big saving on tax. He added if

fighting back and men-

He thought we had a good chance of earning

you wanted the whole amount up front then

tioned the Mayfair Mob and

a really good deal on the building because of

you would have to be prepared to pay a large

UCG as being heavily

the fact that it had planning permission to go

amount in tax. Brian explained the procedure

involved in the battle. He

up 10 floors and possibly even more, was in

that would have to be put into place for

was critical that all some

the City, Crossrail would be coming soon and

demutualisation to occur.

could think about was selling the building and

we are close to the tube, but that we needed

Robert Lyle (W39) was

getting money. He called it disgraceful and

to be seen as being strong whereas the trade

introduced as someone who

said if drivers were dying, would all they

at present was very weak. He thought it might

gave the wrong call sign last

thought about be how much money they

be the right time to sell up lock, stock and bar-

year but who this year gave

could get. He said drivers sounded too

rel. Brian said anything they did was down to

his correct one. But to try

defeatist.

the drivers.

and confuse Call Sign, this

Adam Harrison (A19) was next onto the

All the votes were carried and the meeting

year he introduced himself

lectern. He asked if we had ever considered

ended at 3.10pm.

as Jeremy Ford in an apparent ruse to get

using mobile phones for receiving trips like

Alan Fisher

some of his own carrot cake back! Charles

the apps did. Brian said we already had an app

then said some of the fixed prices weren’t very

in the cab and that it was called a terminal!

Call Sign Online

Call Sign March 2016

Page 18

At the recent AGM, Brian Rice gave a lengthy report that we have taken out of the actual AGM report

for space reasons and placed within its own page. He did not use any notes, but neither should it be

taken as being word for word...

The DaC AGM Financial Report

don’t think

- for instance I believe you should be zero rated

the dice to do something to protect our trade.

you need me

for VAT because the cab has to have a wheelchair

But as I said earlier, fortunately Dial-a-Cab at least

to tell you

access and as for those vehicles carrying medical

is in a good financial position.

what

has

equipment, that should be enough. I believe that

I feel very strongly about what I’ve said and

happened to our

our only way forward is to reduce overheads

feel very sorry for the younger members of the

trade. It seems

while placing more on the heads of private hire.

trade that have large commitments and they must

that everyone has

But there has to be an appetite to do that and I’m

feel they are in a very frightening position. It

taken us on at

not convinced that all the new candidates stand-

reminds me of the time back in the 1990s when

every opportuni-

ing for Mayor are going to do it. I remember

we had a similar downturn - although probably

ty. I saw the fig-

Boris Johnson when he first came to us in 2008

not as bad as this. But there were financial rea-

ures last week

promising us the world. He even got the LCDC

sons for that and of course the Iraq war was

and there were

on his side and we were giving out receipts pro-

going on. But what we have here is unfair com-

just over 97,000

claiming ‘Vote for Boris’. But of course, they get

petition and to an extent that makes it too diffi-

minicab licences

in and then the attitude changes.

cult to compete against and things are not getting

out there with

What exacerbates the situation even more -

better. We are again running with a deficit, just as

TfL licensing new ones at a rate of over 600

and you know about this far more than I do - is

we did last year, and that can’t carry on forever.

each week.

the traffic congestion in London. They are dig-

But I think things will change and they will

There seems to be no curtailing Uber and

ging up half of London to put in cycle superhigh-

change in the next year because London can-

unfortunately it has left our trade in dire straits -

ways, leaving traffic in an absolutely abominable

not sustain three radio circuits and all the

that’s not just Dial-a-Cab, but the whole industry.

state. It is making taxi fares hugely expensive,

apps.

As you probably know, one of our competitors

journeys are taking a long time and causing us to

We have held talks with Radio Taxis but they

had a large debt and they had to sell their premis-

lose customers because of it. Those passengers

cancelled the last two meetings. They had previ-

es in order to service the debt with the bank, so

are now going for an alternative where they get a

ously put some propositions to us that were

they have no assets left. I would be the first to

fixed price from A to B and they know what that

totally unacceptable, wanting an amalgamation

admit that our figures are not very good, but at

price will be regardless of whether it takes 15

on their terms. But of course, they’ve got nothing

least we do have a little bit in reserve as well as a

minutes or an hour! But we can’t work on that

to put in, so nothing came to fruition.

substantial asset. When you lose money as we did

basis, it is unfair; we don’t expect you to do fixed

As you are probably aware, Cab:app are

this year - that’s £970,000 - it’s not all cash; that

prices that involve you getting stuck in horren-

appealing to raise £500,000 and looking to sell

would be around £300,000 or £350,000 with

dous traffic conditions. It just isn’t fair.

7.5% equity in the company. They wouldn’t want

depreciation. But we are still burning cash at half

So, I’d like to sit here and tell you that things

to do that if they were doing well. Hailo said they

a million pounds a year so things can’t continue

will get rosier in the future, but I believe that we

had enough cash to continue for three months

as they are. I’d like to sit here and tell you that

have a problem on our hands. I don’t want to be

unless they could raise some more venture capi-

things are going to be fantastic, but I can’t. The

a doom and gloom merchant or one of the ‘old

talist money, which they probably will do. Radio

only way I can see it getting better is if TfL or the

boys’ who go around telling everyone that the

Taxis had to sell their building to pay off their

Government intervenes and does something to

game is finished because I don’t think it is. But

debts while ComCab had to shut down their

protect our trade. They keep telling us that we

we definitely need some help from the powers-

offices in Edinburgh, Liverpool and

are the Gold Standard but then do nothing to

that-be. I have never been one for demos and

Birmingham. If it was just us doing badly while

look after us and I have learned over the years

things like that because I think it just antagonises

everyone else was doing fantastically well, then

that you can’t negotiate with TfL - they just dic-

the public. But I’m not so sure now. We need

we would have a big problem, but it’s not. It’s

tate and tell you what the score is.

people to wake up; we’ve got the last throw of

everyone across the trade that is struggling.

We had a meeting with them at Palestra

recently. All those that supply credit card

chip and pin machines were there... Cab:app,

CabVision, Verifone, the radio circuits etc and

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

every one of us to a man asked them not to

impose the charge on the driver but to

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

impose it on the customer. So what did they

variable bank interest rates?

do? They imposed it on the driver!

Well wonder no more! If you are a subscriber, journeyman or

So as far as I am concerned - and I have always

member of staff at Dial-a-Cab, then you qualify to join the

considered myself to be moderate - I feel that

everything coming out from TfL such as consulta-

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union. Any member of your family residing

tions etc, well they have made their minds up

at your address also qualifies for membership!

even before the consultation comes out and they

Then if you are over 18, have been a member of the Credit Union for

just want to be seen as paying lip service and tell

over 3 months and have established regular savings, you can borrow

everyone that they did consult with the licensed

up to 3 times your total savings…

taxi trade. It’s a problem and I really can’t see

things getting better until we are relieved of TfL,

The cost?

because it is they that are the problem. They are

Just 1% per month on the outstanding balance (or APR of 12.7%).

reducing our street work; if you come out at

Loans can be paid back early AND there can be an annual dividend on your shares.

around 10.30pm then you are surrounded by

The question is: Can you afford NOT to be in it…?

what looks like a million yellow lights with pas-

sengers standing on corners looking at their

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

phones and waiting for their cars.

The problem is that they all want something

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

Member’s funds protected up to limit set by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme

cheap and unfortunately with the overheads the

DaC Credit Union Ltd, Peterley Business Centre, 472 Hackney Rd E2 9EQ

trade and drivers have, you just can’t work or

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

even afford to work cheap. I feel that what they

Registration number 213263

need to do is to somehow reduce your overheads

Call Sign March 2016

Page 19

Simon Scott is one of the new generation of taxi drivers whose life is captured as a blog! His story of

his early days as a taxi driver is captured here as…

A Blogger’s Tale

mumble about it being hot in the back! I pre-

1988

tend not to hear in the hope I can get some-

The first few days and weeks behind the

where near their destination before they bail

wheel went by quickly - in a whirl of diesel

out. This rarely worked and I usually ended

fumes, waving hands and my desire to make

up blaming the previous passenger for fid-

my cab payments on time. I felt at home

dling around with the buttons. The heating

behind that grubby plastic steering wheel

would go off and the cab would boil over

with my right elbow nonchalantly poking out

again. I knew I had to go back to the garage

of the window and I felt like I fitted nicely

to complain of course, but I put it off time

into a small inner London clique as I guided

and time again due to my interest in self-

that battered old girl around the streets of the

preservation.

City. My only concern was that my right arm

One morning I was sitting in the Strand

extinguisher and if I see you again with-

had a better sun tan than the rest of me!

happily watching the general public wander-

out one, I’ll give you a stop note.”

It was a very hot summer and although air

ing around and willing one of them to step

I didn’t yet know what a stop note was, but

conditioning had been invented, no one in the

too close to my web, when I was rudely inter-

I didn’t like the sound of it at all. Mr PCO

cab trade had heard of it let alone thought about

rupted by a sharp tap on the window. A very

hadn’t finished: “And you can take that

fitting it to black cab. Needless to say my cab

official looking man was fixing me with his

unauthorised transistor radio off the vent

boiled over numerous times; this got very bor-

nasty, weasly looking eyes and was holding

hook.”

ing as it took time to cool it down and get going

up a card that, as I peered closer, read Public

I didn’t bother trying to argue; he gave me

again, I would quietly curse Michael. I had how-

Carriage Officer. I froze! The taxi police! I

a little note to give Michael and off he went. I

ever discovered a little trick to prolong the time

had heard about these people and although

stood there watching him and the cabs quick-

between boil-overs, I would turn the heating up

the cab wasn’t mine, I knew this meant trou-

ly pulling away from the rank as he made his

full blast in the back and open both the win-

ble. I decided to face him head on, got out

way towards them! It looked like a black

dows, this kept the engine slightly cooler.

and walked around to join him on the pave-

Mexican Wave as they all pulled off in a

Sorted, or so I thought. There was of

ment. He called me Sir - a bad start... and I

cloud of diesel fumes and roaring engines. I

course the little matter of passenger comfort

felt one nil down already.

had no choice; I did a U turn and headed off

and the fact that they tended to notice the

“Where is the fire extinguisher,” he asked?

towards Bethnal Green...

ferocious heat as soon as they got in the back.

“I don’t have one,” I mumbled. This was

To be continued…

A pattern began to emerge, passenger hails

going badly. He looked me straight in the eye

my cab, I pull over and we discuss the desti-

as he said:

Simon Scott (O40)

nation, I set the meter, mirror signal and

“Take this excuse for a taxi back to

manoeuvre... and then passenger begins to Michael and tell him to fit a suitable fire

Call Sign Online

An occasional review from a struggling 14 handicapper at some of the marque golf courses

I've had the privilege to play in my golf days away from the taxi…

SIMON’S GOLF COURSES

The Berkshires - Red Course

Last month’s Call Sign article dealt with The Berkshires Blue

course, so this month sees us look at The Red course at the

same golf club.

This one is unusual in that it’s made up of six of each - that’s

six par threes, six par fours and six par fives! At over 6000 yards,

the best way of scoring well is on the par fives, which are short-

ish by today’s standards, because most of the par threes are a

real challenge.

The easiest par 3 is the second hole; I only mention that

hole as it’s where I scored my sole hole in one; it was with

a 7 iron, shooting into a stiff breeze at 140 yards and actu-

ally hitting it well for once!

In my opinion, a par 4 doesn’t have to be of ridiculous length

The Red course 7th hole 180 yard par 3

and one of the best holes here is the short 360 yards par 4 sixth.

Precision from the tee to the corner of the dog-leg right or big

hitters can risk taking on the trees, leaves a well-struck short iron to a rising green guarded by bunkers.

Heather, birch, sandy soil and fast greens all make for a great day’s golf. I recommend it highly - albeit not cheap, even if it’s just the

once!

Top tip: Go in mid-May when the rhododendrons are in bloom. Just magnificent...!

Happy golfing...

Simon Wallis (M11)

Call Sign Online

Call Sign March 2016

Page 20

Last month’s Call Sign ran an article that we

If you thought last month’s Call Sign article on DaC driver Debbie

thought sounded shocking, when Dial-a-Cab

Hope (W18) being nicked for going through a red light courtesy of

driver Debbie Hope (W18) received a

a cyclist’s helmet cam wasn’t true, be prepared for a shock...

Metropolitan Police letter enclosing three

stills taken from a video camera appearing to

show Debbie’s taxi had been driven through

lights whilst they were on red.

CAUGHT ON FILM!

Debbie held her hands up, although she

couldn’t remember the incident. However the

stills showed the lights had gone from red to

POLICE TELL CYCLIST TO

amber and then straight back to red! Even so,

Debbie admitted that it was her cab and the

incorrect light change must have temporarily

SEND FOOTAGE TO THE MET!

confused her.

Later, her husband Duncan (R52), while

Officers tell a

checking the stills, said they looked like they

cyclist to post

had come from a cyclist’s helmet cam because

footage to the

there is no official camera in place at Margaret

Met

Street

/ Parliament Square, where the

offence took place. When Debbie phoned the

The two police-

Met, they eventually confirmed Duncan’s theo-

men between them

ry and said that the offence was still not going

then tell the cyclist

to be dropped.

how to upload the

The article went round the internet like

footage onto their

crazy, with Call Sign receiving driver’s views

website

and

explain that the

instructions are

clear and “tell you

Obituary:

where to go.” They

then tell the cyclist

Bob Coy

by the score ranging from name calling of the

of one person

Met, to calls of it being illegal as all cameras

caught cutting up a cyclist at the Oval

operated by the force “have to be regularly cal-

thanks to uploaded footage. It went to

ibrated”

- something we at this mag also

court and the driver - described as a cab

believed. Some even thought it was a scam pre-

but not specified as to which variety - was

tending to come from the Met!

fined £800. The footage ends with the

However, following publication, we were

police having a friendly chat with the

sent a disturbing YouTube clip showing a

cyclist about the possibilities.

Met officer actually telling a cyclist that

Unfortunately, Call Sign sees nothing

they would be happy to accept helmet cam

“friendly” in this incident and would recom-

footage!

mend any driver caught by footage of this

The footage opens with a cyclist turning left

nature to contact their trade organisation

from Southampton Row into the Vernon

because this isn’t just unfair, it is an absolute

Place / Bloomsbury Way bus lane and being

disgrace! Unfortunately Debbie doesn’t

pulled over by waiting police for being in a bus

belong to one, so we await to see whether the

lane that doesn’t allow cyclists in it. The officer

police take it further..

politely castigates the cyclist, explains about

I regret to inform the society of

the ‘no cyclist’ signs and then tells him that he

the death of Bob Coy (ex-D77)

will be given a smaller fixed penalty notice

who passed away on Monday 1st

(£15) than it could have been because it incor-

February 2016. He was a circuit

porates an online 10 minute learning pack-

member for 40 years, also serving

age. The officer says he would go on the

cyclist’s integrity and trust him to do the

as a Board member for part of that

course, even though he had absolutely no ID

time, as well as being a Society

on him! Officer TD 431 then charged him.

Arbitrator.

Then the shocking part! The officer, along

Bob was a big man; he liked a

with TD 413, informs the cyclist that they are

good laugh, a good pint and a

not at the bus lane every day “by the way” and

good game of golf. Two of these

the cyclist replies in a joking voice that it will be

he excelled at - sorry about the

ok to do it then! But the joking stops there so

golf, Bob! He was great company,

far as Call Sign is concerned. The police know

a true friend and possessed the

they are being filmed and ask the cyclist what

best London Knowledge of any-

he does with his film clips and smile when he

body I ever knew!

says they go out on YouTube.

He will be sadly missed by all of

TD413 then says to the cyclist that if he gets

any examples of bad driving, he should send it

his family and friends including

to the Met Police to deal with! The policeman

many on Dial-a-Cab. But he will

adds that they first send out a letter (as Debbie

not be forgotten. RIP...

Hope got) and then investigate it (as when

David Hughes (A73)

Debbie phoned the Met and they told her they

DaC was represented at the funer-

had no intention of dropping it, regardless of

al on February 12th by Brian Rice,

the film originating from an unofficial and

Allan Evans and Joe Brazil...

uncollaborated source and regardless of it then

showing an incorrect traffic lights sequence).

Call Sign March 2016

Page 21

BRAZIL CALLING

The thoughts of Joe Brazil

Remaining idle is

So what are they enforcing and what are the regulations? A quick look on

the interweb found this:

not an option

Idling vehicle engines

Well there you are, it’s 3am,

Why are idling vehicle engines a problem in the City? Leaving an

it’s cold, it’s a Tuesday and

engine running causes unnecessary air pollution. The whole of the

it hasn’t been a good one!

City is an Air Quality Management Area as air quality objectives for

You’ve been on EC5 for

Nitrogen Dioxide and fine particles (PM10) are not being met.

longer than you wanted or expected and getting close to the point of

Any driver of a motor vehicle who unnecessarily keeps their engine

McLiver - for what that’s worth - when out comes what you hope will be a

running while the vehicle is parked on a road, can be issued with a

rescue job on the terminal.

Fixed Penalty Notice. When an officer discovers a vehicle with its

The screen, after its initial burst of urgency, informs you that you are

engine running, the driver will be advised that it is an offence to

to pick up at Travers Smith in Smithfield. Now as everyone knows,

leave an engine running in a stationary vehicle and that such an

when you pick up at that account there are many instructions and

offence carries a Fixed Penalty of £20. The officer will then ask the

restrictions guiding you to the conclusion that you are probably not

driver to turn the engine off. A Fixed Penalty Notice will be issued if

really wanted in the area at all, but an account client needs you!

the driver refuses to turn off the engine. The fine must be paid within

Engine starts, lights on and off you trot - dodging meat lorries and fork lift

28 days, after which it increases to £40.

trucks as you go. £3 something on the meter, this could go either way you

think and as you get around there, observing the “do not pick up or drop off

So there it is; I have no problem with the regulations, clean air is a benefit

in a loading bay, must park on a yellow line to avoid a ticket” instructions,

to all of us... a cold cab not so much! The meat lorries with their engines run-

there’s a gap on the left, that’ll do. So you decide to reverse into Hosier Lane

ning are probably the real reason for enforcement officers to be deployed in

and send a message informing the client and advise arrival. So far, so good -

the area, but of course cabs are a much easier target. I wonder how many £20

I haven’t incurred a penalty, I’ve been observant of all rules and regulations

fines have been collected from Dutch and Irish lorries loading in the area, the

and I just sit and wait.

former no doubt would have a language barrier making conversation difficult

This now is the perfect time to reach for the name board and make sure

and, I think the second would also have a language problem, but maybe for

the heater is on in the back; after all it’s the middle of the winter and all you

different reasons. For us, it’s always worth avoiding a fine.

can see out the windscreen are market porters loading meat and three brass

As the great Brendan Behan once said: “I have a total irreverence for any-

monkeys looking for something.

thing connected with society except that which makes the roads safer, beer

Then a bit like a Derek and Clive skit I seem to remember, (one for the

stronger, food cheaper and the old men and old women warmer in the win-

kids there!), you get a tap tap tap on the window. You think blimey he’s out

ter and happier in the summer.”

quick, before you then notice a rather cold looking chap with a lanyard

I couldn’t have put it better myself! Now handbrake off and heave...maybe

around his neck poking an ID with a City of London decal in your direction.

next time.

“Hello, how can I help you,” I ask - it costs nothing to be polite, I

Joe Brazil, DaC Board Member

thought.

“Could you switch off your engine,” comes the reply.

I, being slightly bewildered at this request, ask who he is.

“Emissions,” he states without any hint of a smile.

Doesn’t really answer the question, but I comply anyway:

“What’s the regulation you’re enforcing,” I ask? “Is it a bye law?”

This left him looking like a fox in the headlights.

“Err, excuse me a second,” he says, as he walks around the back of the

vehicle and reaches for his mobile. I hadn’t come across enforcement officers

requesting this before. Notices have appeared in the City asking you to turn

your engine off after 60 seconds, but I hadn’t actually been approached

Exclusive Taxi Insurance Scheme

regarding any enforcement. But before he returned to the vehicle, the pas-

senger had arrived, jumped in and I had no further conversation with Mr

dedicated to DAC members only

Emissions. I did wonder if this left me in the position where I had to push

the cab to Bethnal Green or chance starting it. Well, okay, I didn’t, but it was

the question I wanted to ask him. Of course, being polite, off I drove and no

more words were exchanged.

✓ 5% Discount for members

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MAM Auto Electricians on the move

✓ Public Liability

One of the London taxi trade’s longest standing and favourite

electricians, Michael, at MAM Auto Electricians has moved from

✓ Breakdown Cover

Blundell Street, Kings Cross to a new and brighter property that is

✓ Much more available

accessed directly from Scrubs Lane W10. MAM is a family run

business that has been sorting out London taxis electrical problems

for over thirty years.

Call below for quotations

MAM’s new address is:

Unit 9, Mitre Bridge Industrial Park

Hillier Buchan Ltd, 18, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent. DA5 1LU

Mitre Way, London W10 6AU

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority - Firms Ref No: 304318

Company Registration No: 4319231

The phone number is the still the same:

020 7607 3915 or 07831 222046

Tel: 01322 553313

You can go to Michael for any taxi electrical work on

Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

01322 523315

Fax:

He is also open on Saturday between 8.30am till 1pm...

Call Sign March 2016

Page 22

I have been

waiting for 11

Brian Marcantonio (R73) is a DaC driver and former

years to write

Taxi Driver of the Year winner

this

article!

When I first

became

The do’s and do nots

licensed taxi

driver in 1975,

of a taxi driver’s

I was just

years old. Later

that year, I got

health insurance

married and

one year after

or to my 65th birthday, whichever was

put away the £40 a month until now (I am 65

that I applied

sooner.

in March). Ten years and two months makes

for and got a

I claimed in mid-October, received some

£4880 extra I now have instead of giving it to

mortgage.

money in early December with a larger cheque

an insurance company salesman. So I would

Within another

on Christmas Eve. By the time that cheque had

like to thank Emrose (Insurance Brokers) Ltd

12 months I purchased £4,400’s worth of new

cleared, it was the New Year.

and the caring, sharing Cabsurance Direct for

cab (RUV 324R). So what with the mortgage

I went to see the consultant early in January

telling me to s*d off in 2005!

and loan repayments for the cab and although

2005 and told him that this time off work was

What I’m saying is if you put the premiums

I knew I could afford the repayments while

breaking me (luckily my wife was working).

for this type of insurance away, after a couple

working, I wondered how I would cope if I

He said I was OK to return to work; I

of years you can insure yourself and if you are

became sick or had a bad accident...

explained what I did for a living and it being

fortunate enough not to be ill or have an acci-

My answer was to join a sickness / income

a somewhat stressful job, but he said it was OK

dent, you will then have a nice lump of

replacement scheme in around 1978 and duly

providing I kept taking the medication I had

money like I have.

pay the monthly instalments. I changed insur-

been prescribed. I also confirmed with the

Of course, it is wise to take out Permanent

ers in the early 1990s because the original

consultant - who had around 12 letters after

Health Insurance; this covers you if you have

company wanted more money for less cover.

his name - that the drugs prescribed would

been off for two years and pays you up to

So I continued paying the monthly instalments

not impair my driving. He said they would not.

OAP age whatever that’s going to be for you,

to the new insurance company.

So I put my cab into overhaul and noti-

because if you have been off for two years,

Then in January 2002 and at a time when I

fied the insurance company that I was

then the chances are that you won't be

was now over 50, the policy allegedly needed

returning to work on 10th January 2005. A

returning to work.

renewing. I had never had to renew it prior to

letter quickly arrived from the insurance

But just make sure anyway that the word-

becoming 50 and had to make a declaration

company with a cheque for the outstand-

ing of the policy states that “returning to

that I was fit and well, something I then did

ing amount, together with a letter telling

work” means also in your original occupation

every subsequent January.

me they were no longer prepared to insure

ie as a licensed taxi driver.

However, in October 2004 I went into

me - or in other words that I should go

hospital with Atrial Fibrillation. I had a

forth and multiply because we don't want

Brian Marcantonio

resting pulse of 162 despite training 3 days

you!

Call Sign Online

a week and never having smoked. So I was

Charming, I thought! I had been paying

then off work and had to claim on my sick-

£40 a month for all that time and it was only

Brian’s article is a personal point of view

ness policy. There was a 7 day excess and

when I had to claim that they suddenly no

and does not necessarily represent the

was supposed to cover me up to two years

longer wanted to know! So I continued to

view of Call Sign...

Some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over!

very centre of London’s admin-

istration - the core structure

you see today was the work of

master mason John Croxton

between 1411 and 1429.

IT IS NOW!

So it appeared that the

old Roman Amphitheatre

Bob Woodford looks at London’s long lost

was to be lost forever, until

that archaeological discov-

sporting venues

ery almost 30 years ago -

London’s sporting heritage does of course, go back

and if you stand today in

to time immemorial, but I wonder how many readers

Guildhall Yard, a quick

are aware of an ancient sports stadium underneath

glance down at the paving

your working area in the City’s square mile? If you

stones reveals an 80cm wide

Part of the Roman amphitheatre

have ever seen the film Gladiator then you might

curved of dark stone, which

at Guildhall

have some idea where this is leading.

marks the edge of the sport-

London’s Roman Amphitheatre, where vast

ing arena. But even better than that, this hidden gem is actually available

crowds would have witnessed gladiatorial com-

for all to visit and view for free by entering the Guildhall Art Gallery -

bats as well as blood sports and even public

where its actual remains are located some 8 meters below the surface,

executions, had been lost for nearly 2,000 years until archaeologists dis-

buried between centuries of old rubble and rubbish.

covered the ruins of the original circular walls after searching for 100

Once inside, you will be up close and personal with the remains of the original

years.

walls of the stadium, its drainage system and even the sand that was once laid

The Museum of London’s archaeology team had been given the chance to

down to soak up blood from the wounded Gladiators - yep, it wasn’t much fun

inspect the site before work was due to start on the new Guildhall Art Gallery

winning the silver medal in those days!

building back in 1988. What perhaps was surprising was that this stadium was

There is also an impressive digital projection that fills in those gaps within the

found to have been built within the old Roman Wall - because most amphithe-

ruins to fire your imagination and well worth you taking time out to visit the next

atres in other cities of the Roman Empire were located on the outside.

time you stop for a cuppa at the Piccolo or even to show off to punters if you can

It was initially built as a wooden structure in AD70, just a few short years after

squeeze on the two cab rank in Aldermanbury.

invasion and conquest. But those skilful Roman architects gave it a substantial

Ok, so it’s not the massive Coliseum as in Rome, but it’s ours and should be

makeover nearly 50 years later, while at the same time increasing its capacity to

celebrated... and it should be visited! Russell Crowe, eat your heart out!

over 6,000 - all, of course, baying for blood!

Next month we’re off to the horse races in London! You didn’t have to go as

The Romans abandoned Britain in the 4th century and over time the

far as Kempton Park or Sandown Park to enjoy the sport of kings!

Amphitheatre was left to decay and even periodically dismantled and recycled for

Bob Woodford

building materials until it began to get covered over by other settlements. But in

the 11th century, the first ever (timber) Guildhall was built, which became the

Call Sign Online

Call Sign March 2016

Page 23

Steve Shaller has driven on DaC for many years as well as writing

Hola to my friends at

for Call Sign both with a motoring column and a general gossip

Dial-a-Cab...

one! He moved from Gants Hill to Spain many years ago to become

It's been a while since I have written to Call

Sign. I am still here in Spain living in my

a long distance commuter and part-time taxi driver, but now...

hacienda and growing old disgracefully. So

you may wonder what inspired me to put

pen to paper (or should that be keyboard to

Steve says adios to taxis!

screen) after such a long absence?

Recently I have been faced with the dilem-

ger on the pulse of the taxi trade. I read vari-

ma of whether or not to renew my taxicab

ous cab journals as well as Call Sign maga-

driving licence. Despite it being 45 years

zine. I speak to taxi drivers and what I read

since acquiring the licence, I can still remem-

and what I hear is not the positive feedback

ber how difficult it was to achieve. There are

that I would wish to receive.

not many cabbies who voluntary give up

I read Alan’s January Call Sign Online

their licence, unless of course bad health pre-

and in that issue saw a letter from my old

vails. I am grateful to say that at time of writ-

Finsbury Square comrade Bernie Silver

ing I am in good health but still cannot see

(G08) who, like myself, is having second

the practicality or financial advantage of

thoughts about renewing his Bill. For

keeping my licence any more.

basically the same reasons as Bernie, I

I have not worked for several years and

too feel that I would be unable to endure

cannot see myself working in the foresee-

the ridiculous traffic conditions, speed

able future. What I have always seen as an

limits, camera cash cows and cycle lanes.

assurance measure, I now see as an

I therefore will not be renewing my licence

unnecessary expense.

in May and if you, Bernie, intend to follow

Since retiring, I have tried to keep my fin-

suite, I can assure you that there is life after

cabbing. There is no longer room in our

trade for part-timers and we oldies since the

Gary Cox thinks back to a chance meeting with Amy Whitehouse and

new 15 year age limit on licensing taxis was

her legacy...

introduced. I now consider it a job with very

little return for the amount of hours put in,

coupled with the stress and expense of keep-

REMEMBERING AMY...

ing a very expensive vehicle on the road.

my Winehouse first came to Joe

Still proud to have been one of the best in

public’s attention via the great edu-

the world...

cator Robert Elms on Radio

London 94.5. Everyone thinks they

Steve Shaller (ex F34J)

know her and some would say, her sad

pathetic story as well. But in the cab trade

Èspana

she's just known as one of ours. The type of

girl you could imagine working in her

dad's east end garage and who even as a

London Taxidrivers’ Fund for

kid with that cheeky smile would give as

Underprivileged Children

good as she got.

I met her just once and very briefly. It was

DRIVERS WANTED

on a cold bright lunchtime; I was getting out of my cab in

Broadwick Street and there was waif thin Amy and dad Mitch strolling straight

down the middle of the cobbled Soho street.

As she walked towards me, I called out: “Amy, you're looking good kid!” As the old

cockney saying goes... out of the mouths of babes, her reply will always stay with me;

albeit just a simple “...thanks, I’m feeling really good!” Then she and Mitch passed me,

both with smiles on their faces.

Sadly, in what seemed just a relatively short time later came her tragic death

on 23rd July 2011 due to alcohol poisoning.

Drivers, we welcome you to come and join us

So Amy, if you're sitting upstairs feeling bored, being a cab driver’s daughter you’ll

on our outings that give many special needs

look down and flick through Call Sign so I’d just like you to read the following words

and disadvantaged children some wonderful

kid. Along with the rest of the world, I know your 2006 album Back to Black gave

fun-packed days out. As well as giving a great

you five Grammy awards and that over the course of time you got to work with the

deal of pleasure to so many children, we

master himself, Tony Bennett. But I just wish I could walk into a taxi garage and see

promise you will have a brilliant and fun-

packed day out yourself.

you there today. Unless the wind blows fair in my direction, I will probably never meet

Mitch again because with production of director Asif Kapadia’s film called Amy now

TUESDAY 17th MAY 2016 TO

released on DVD, I’d like to shake Mitch’s hand for his horse trading to get a percent-

WOBURN TAXI SAFARI

age of the profits from the film for the Amy Winehouse Foundation Resilience

Programme - the ground breaking drug and alcohol awareness programme.

WEDNESDAY 13th JULY 2016 TO

If you've got a teenager in your world, consider buying that special person a copy -

SOUTHEND

bear in mind that it’s a 15 classification with references to drugs and swearing. You

Without you there are no outings, so please

could say it’s a mirror image of the worst excesses of the world that we taxi drivers

contact our drivers’ liaison:

mop up on a Saturday night.

Steve Bell on 07811 508772

I can't recommend this DVD highly enough - maybe because under the stewardship

Or enter your details on the volunteer page

of the Winehouse family, something good did come out of this mess in the end - as

of our website: www.ltfuc.org.uk - a

well as some wonderful music.

Sponsor Page can also be found there...

And Back to Black? Perhaps Amy was even singing about us...!

The Hon President, Hon Chairman and

Gary Cox (O46), Call Sign Online

Committee look forward to seeing you

Call Sign March 2016

Page 24

DaC driver Sean Farrell (B39) looks at trade history from a different angle

Brethren of the Whip

died the next day and was buried by the

was fortunate not to be jailed after

The

Poor Law Union in a pauper’s grave. Her

sending out a horse in a cab that was

Eatwell

only known relatives were two brothers;

unfit to work. He was fined £5 and the

William, a decorator in Battersea and

driver

5s for

“torturing a horse by

Dynasty

John, a cabman of Lambeth.

allowing it to be worked.” He died in

Dial-a-Cab dri-

John was the oldest child of Uriah and

1885 and his widow, Mary Ann (whose

ver Steve Thomas

Sarah. In 1853 he had been summoned to

sister was married to John Eatwell),

(N10) has been

court for driving too slow. No details were

took over the business. It was managed

doing his family

given by the report other than the plate

by two of her sons. The widow’s right to

tree and it was

number of the cab (1281). Cabmen at the

take over the proprietor’s licence dated

whilst research-

time could be hired by time or distance. If

back to 1654 with The Fellowship of

ing his wife

hired by time, they did not have to travel

Hackney Carriage Drivers. Even if a

Maria’s ancestors, that he found her

faster than 4 mph, if by distance the maxi-

widow remarried, proprietorship

family had once been quite prominent

mum was six miles an hour, though of

would not become her husband’s - as

in the cab trade of Victorian London.

course this was often exceeded. This had

all her other property would - without

Via the editor, Steve asked me if I had

been a short journey, so perhaps John may

her consent.

any information in my files regarding

have resented being taken off a stand after

Following an appearance at the Old

the Eatwell family. I knew the name

doing a long time waiting - a common

Bailey in 1888 where the compensation

well. What follows is a combination of

enough occurrence. All that is known is

they paid following an accident caused by

Steve’s genealogical work and my files

that he lost the case.

one of their drivers was fraudulently

from that period...

stolen, there does not appear to be any

Maria’s great-great-great-great-grandfa-

more information on the Eatwells. By the

ther, Uriah Eatwell (born 1797), moved to

turn of the twentieth century, Eatwell’s

London from his native Gloucestershire.

Yard was on the corner of South Island

When he was 27, he married Sarah

Place and Hackford Street, between the

Oldham at St Pancras [old] Church in

Brixton and Clapham Roads.

1824. This was before births deaths and

In the 1911 census, Charles Eatwell

marriages were registered so there is no

(56 and son of John) is a cab proprietor

record of his occupation and it is only with

in South Island Place and his cab driver

the census of 1841, when he is living in

nephew Martin (37) appear to be the

Roberts Mews off Hampstead Road that

only remaining family members con-

we get official confirmation that he is a

nected with the trade. Both are single

(licensed) cabman.

and the Eatwell dynasty could have

Uriah and Sarah had at least five children,

ended there... except that Steve has

four boys and a girl. The youngest child,

found that there was a cab proprietor

Charles was charged with manslaughter

living in South Island Place in 1919 by

after running over a pedestrian with his

the name Edward Eatwell. Which begs

Hansom cab in November 1855. Several wit-

the question: Are there any Eatwells

Steve Thomas asked Sean for help in

nesses expressed their belief that Charles

driving a cab today?

tracing his wife’s cab driving ancestry

could have pulled up in time as he shouted

Sean Farrell

the warning “Hoy!” Charles was found guilty

at the Old Bailey and sentenced to one

In 1876 John was in trouble again, this

Call Sign Online

month.

time for refusing to give a ticket - a kind of

If there are any other drivers who

Uriah’s only daughter was Mary. She

receipt that allowed for the driver to be

would like Sean to try and trace the

became a cook at Chiswick where in the

traced. They were supposed to be given at

cab driving side of their family, then

space of ten years she had saved “about

the commencement of every fare, but were

please email callsignmag@aol.com

£50.” In 1886 at the age of 44, she married

seldom asked for and rarely given. The pas-

and we’ll put you in touch with Sean..

a “foreman at the docks” and her husband

senger had tendered 1s 6d for the journey

appears just as thrifty as her, for he had

which he believed to be under two miles,

somehow managed to save £200. They pur-

but John demanded 2s. Throughout the

Call Sign

chased several properties between them,

nineteenth century cabmen were notori-

March 2016

but apparently lost money by them and

ous for adding on an extra 6d. Most people

Editor: Alan Fisher

were forced to sell.

paid it to save them the tirade of abuse that

Address: 39 - 47 East Rd, London N1 6AH

After her husband’s death in 1884,

would follow payment of the legal

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

Mary’s health and mental state seemed

amount. John’s passenger was of stronger

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

to deteriorate and within two years she

stuff and demanded a ticket. In court, the

Website: www.22-callsign.co.uk

was applying to the Poor Law Union for

passenger told the magistrate that he

Printers: Premier Print Group

relief. In 1889 her landlady reported to

thought at one time the cabman was about

E6 6 LP

the relief office that Mary was in a bad

to strike him with his whip. John was fined

Design: Aldan Publications

state. “She thought her out of her mind;

20s (£1) which he paid straight away.

Tel: 07958 300 428

she was covered with vermin and her

But it is John’s younger brother,

Email: debbiefresco@googlemail.com

room was beastly dirty.” It was clear

Martin, who was probably the most suc-

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

that Mary was suffering from an undiag-

cessful cabman of the Eatwell dynasty

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

nosed form of dementia. She was too ill

and who expanded into a cab and

either manually or electronically without the express

to be moved to the Poor Law infirmary,

omnibus proprietor. In

1875 Martin

permission of the Editor.

Call Sign March 2016

Page 25

The number of people who don’t know what

Welcome to Dial-a-Cab!

taxi apps are available...

veryone after Founder-Chairman Bonnie Martyn in 1953

has been a new recruit to Dial-a-Cab at some or other time

and of late there have been quite a number of new drivers

Steve’s

joining up. Call Sign was recently on hand to watch several

new subscribers, together with a few returning old hands, sign-

ing up and undergoing training to join the Society. We asked a

few of them to give their reasons for joining the circuit...

not

Jaye Studman (D35) was eager to join DaC. He told

Call Sign:

“My wife’s uncle and my next door neighbour are both

‘appy!

on Dial-a-Cab so I feel particularly at home here. An

added advantage for me is the credit card facility built

into the data terminal, because the ability to accept

“It’s quite surprising to me that the general public do not seem to

credit cards is a ‘must’ nowadays in order to offer a

know about the numerous taxi apps available, not least of all our

better service to the travelling public and to bring the cab trade into the

very own Dial-a-Cab app, because so many passengers tell me

21st century. We need to make sure we keep up with the opposition.”

they cannot get a taxi to pick them up from their place of work or

other venue,” Steve Burton (N90) told Call Sign, his tone of

Ronnie Blagrove (K88) is another new face to us -

voice displaying a feeling of exasperation.

although with a well-known call sign, it being the one

“The trade needs to reach a wider audience via better publicity

that the now-retired Sid Nathan had. Having spent

in order to inform the public that we really can offer a ‘door to

several years with another radio taxi company and

door’ service around the clock and that with our safety record and

with what Ronnie described as a “radio focussed

fabled Knowledge of London, we can and do supply an unbeat-

brain,” he is effectively an ‘old hand’ at radio work.

able service. I have a friend who works in the City and even he

“But I just didn’t like that circuit’s working practices

does not know about the ‘A to Z’ service we can provide; how

and finally got so fed up that I left. I have spoken to several Dial-a-Cab

ridiculous is that!

drivers who are happy here and from what I understand, I think I will

“It seems to me that the industry has changed considerably and

prefer the DaC class of work. I come in from the SW and am aware there

that we as a trade need to make ourselves more attractive in order

are a number of credit trips in the SW area, so I look forward to covering

to compete and win back confidence and loyalty of the travelling

the work...”

public. Perhaps when credit card acceptance in taxis becomes

Wayne Trevett (B61) also has had previous radio taxi

compulsory, any new way of charging will make the trips look

experience.

more attractive in comparison with certain other PH companies.”

“I have several friends who are already on DaC and so

Alan Green (E52)

I have an insight into the ethos of this Society, which I

Call Sign Online

like. For me, it will be a fresh start and I can relax a lit-

tle instead of running around like a headless chicken

because Dial-a-Cab gives me another string, an alter-

native of work options. Also, the mapping and navigation systems are a

massive draw and the ability to accept credit cards is a huge bonus

because in most countries in the world, acceptance of credit cards in

taxis is mandatory and we as a trade must move forward.”

Returning to the fold after a 2 year break is John

Murphy (C11).

“I had 16 years here before I took a ‘break’ and have

now decided to return to cabbing full-time and so it

was natural for me to come back to Dial-a-Cab. I

believe that the credit card facility is a very necessary

tool in our armoury as it’s at least once a day when

someone proffers a card, and it is embarrassing to

WINTER PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT

have to decline the job on the basis of not being able to process the plas-

tic. As a service industry, we need to be able to offer a full and profes-

sional service to our public. And I’ve got my original callsign back, how

Takes place on Friday March 18 2016

about that!”

Call Sign Magazine MMXV1

09.30 Coffee & bacon roll on arrival***

10.30 Shot gun start***

15.30 Presentation of Professional & Team prizes

Keith Reading

£45 per person in a team of 2 amateurs

Professional Toastmaster

going out with a golf professional

Master of Ceremonies

Maximum full handicap 24 Men, 30 Ladies

Format: Stableford 3/4 handicap. Best two scores count.

Tele: 01279 465 938

Please telephone if you would like an

Mobile: 07774 860 374

entry form or any further information.

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

Call Elaine Cochrane on 01992 466666 Ext. 249.

The Hertfordshire was designed by Jack Nicklaus II. It is a par 70 spread over 6266

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

yards of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, making full use of the natural

surroundings. The lakes and forests in the area, for example, make for wonderfully

Fellow of the Guild of

challenging natural hazards. With full irrigation cover of tees, fairways and greens,

Professional Toastmasters

the course is in fantastic condition all year round. Read more about the course at

http://www.thehertfordshiregolf.co.uk/

Call Sign March 2016

Page 26

From Garry White

acceptance upon us - something which I wel-

are after this market ie DaC, RTG, ComCab

come by the way because the travelling pub-

and now Gett.

lic need to know they can pay with credit and

Where we have an advantage over the oth-

debit cards.

ers is that we don't have to pay sharehold-

In January 2018, all new taxis presented for

ers. However, in my opinion we do need to

passing will have to be zero emissions capa-

diversify into the app market and provide

ble; however at the moment I don't believe

credit card facilities for the trade to supple-

there is a zero emissions taxi in production!

ment the cost of running your Society.

And when it is, at what cost is the vehicle

going to be and will this lead to a short fall of

Volante Automated

available taxis to buy and rent?

Dispatch (VAD)

Hello Ladies & Gents

Yet all the time, TfL are licensing 500+ pri-

With the new GPS dispatch system - which I

vate hire drivers each week, thus ensuring

and nine other drivers have tested in the City

Dial-a-Cab and you...

Uber have a constant supply of drivers, so

zones - almost ready to roll out to the fleet,

The Society is at a crossroads in my opinion;

that they can adopt the model, stack them

it gives us something to look forward to.

at this year’s AGM, we had members wanting

high and sell the service cheap!

DaC’s IT department have done a great job

to build flats on the current DaC house site,

So how do we compete with this as a

with this project, now we need some new

other members wanting to shut up shop and

Society that was started over 60 years ago to

accounts to come on board to kick start 2016...

divide any monies left, with the majority

get work and support its members? There

Be lucky

wanting to know the next plan.

will always be a certain level of corporate

So what's next? We have a regulatory body

Garry White

work for taxis, however, in my opinion not

in TfL imposing compulsory credit cards

enough for the present four companies that

DaC Board Member

Hypocrisy and TfL

Ever since the licensed London taxi service left the PCO and moved to TfL’s big umbrella, things have gone steadily downhill. Call Sign doesn’t

need to tell you about Uber or why PH numbers aren’t capped. By now we all know why - and it isn’t because they love us!

The TfL press office has sent out information about how well buses are doing in terms of safety and how over the last three

months of 2015, only 1,488 passengers were injured, down 3 from 1,491 in the same period last year. Great news, lets tell the

public!

But what about Private Hire? Are there no statistics from the press office about that industry that we keep hearing nasty stories about?

Well there are actually, but TfL don’t want them published as they could apparently alarm the public! So it must be better to leave prospective

passengers in the dark and face a possible attack rather than alarm them!

Call Sign has almost 8,000 online readers in addition to the DaC drivers who get the magazine posted and we feel they should

know what they are getting into when they hire a minicab.

So let’s put our cards on the table. I expect that very few, if any, of the figures below that TfL didn’t want you to see come from reputable

PH companies such as Addison Lee or Brunel. So who could they be? U tell us!

These are the figures they don’t want you to see...

2015 PH sexual offences: Total number of allegations 180, total number of arrests 112.

Of those, 68 were licensed private hire drivers and 44 were unlicensed minicab drivers.

And taxis? Well we’ve heard of none in regard to physical attacks, let alone sexual ones.

Keep them secret to avoid alarming the public? Whoever at TfL made the decision for the taxi press not to publish, should be sacked immediately...

Alan Fisher, Call Sign Online

Uber and “Friends...!”

With many in the taxi trade - and indeed in the respectable sections of private hire - suspecting that the Mayor

can do nothing without Messrs Cameron and Osbourne giving the ok and with that duo firmly in Uber’s corner,

we were sent the following piece by a DaC driver. It comes from The Idler. You can read more about that at

http://idler.co.uk/

“The British news has been full this week of stories which prove just how far up the fundament of Silicon Valley the Tories

have placed their tongues. Google has done a special tax deal with George Osbourne. No such special deals come to the

small business. If we at The Idler are a few seconds late with our VAT return, then enormous penalties are imposed by the

unforgiving Miss Jean Brodies who work for HMRC in Cumbernauld.

Boris says he has never met

Well, the cosy relationship enjoyed by the Tories and the libertarian geeks of Menlo Park will come as no surprise to fans of

anyone from Uber, whose

documentary-maker Adam Curtis, who wrote a fascinating blog on the subject on the BBC’s website.

Head of Communications is

Curtis points to the intriguing and brilliant figure of Rachel Whetstone, former head of Comms for Google in

Rachel Whetstone...!

Europe and who is now playing the same role for Uber. It is Rachel who makes sure that Uber gets good press and

an easy ride from government - and according to some reports she is paid a million quid a year to do so. Notice

how anti-Uber stories have been on the decline lately? That’s probably Rachel’s work. She is well-connected; Rachel’s husband is Tory advisor

Steve Hilton, and Rachel used to work as a spin doctor for the Tory party when Michael Howard was leader. Her mother was a Tory Party

member and fiercely anti-state while her grandfather was Antony Fisher, an ultra right-wing libertarian. He brought chicken factory farming to

the UK and helped set up Radio Caroline, the radio station which paid no royalties to artists. He also created the first think tanks, which were

essentially PR machines for Tory ideas, with bland names which imply a dispassionate stance, like The Institute of Economic Affairs.

By the way, I blame Rachel for coming up with the phrase “hard-working families.” She uses it on a clip from a TV doc made about Michel Howard and the

young Cameron and Osborne, show on Curtis's blog.

So Rachel’s impeccable libertarian pedigree and top connections - she was godmother to David Cameron’s first child, Ivan - have made her

the beneficiary of gigantic salaries from tech giants who want to appear to be nice in the papers. This is how things work.”

Ed’s note: Incidentally, according to the Mayor, he has never met anyone from Uber. The Idler could also have mentioned that Rachel was

caught having an alleged affair with Sam Cam’s stepfather Lord Astor just before the 2005 election!

Call Sign March 2016

Page 27

ROMAN WAY TO THE RESCUE!

Every driver has to go

to Dial-a-Cab’s fitting

bay sometimes!

Whether it’s for a new

terminal, a repair or to

strip out and refit into

a new cab, Roman Way

is the place that does

the business. Recently

one of Call Sign’s hacks

was making a pit-stop

at Roman Way and

took a look at what

happens when drivers

Make sure the three plugs

Paul Ranson

go there...

are pushed right in

confusion over warranty periods because batteries don’t last for-

First in was James Heather

(L18). He, good humouredly but with a little frustration, told a

ever. You should always try to keep battery terminals clean and

corrosion free.

technician that his terminal was playing up and giving scrambled

messages and psychedelic patterns across the viewing screen!

Also, check those aforementioned three cables underneath the

MDT for good contact by gently giving them a little push upwards

“The map has gone hay-wire too” James said, “and the terminal

itself takes some time to warm up!”

into the MDT itself. Finally, if the MDT does take a little time to

start up, run the engine for a few minutes before you switch on

The techies did all the usual checks to ensure a steady power

supply to the MDT, carefully inspecting the battery connections

the MDT so that the cab heater generates some warmth inside the

driving compartment to ease boot-up times.

and cables for security before finally diagnosing a fault within the

MDT unit. Inside of fifteen minutes, James was back on the road

It was emphasised that no further ‘D.I.Y.’ effort should be

attempted if the problem is not resolved, but to attend Roman

having had the data unit replaced. He told this mag that he was

delighted to be back at work much quicker than he thought he

Way without delay.

would be.

Jamie Corum

“These units are generally very robust,” Dana Thananjeyan,

Call Sign Online

Roman Way’s depot manager told us.

“Bearing in mind that they are used constantly for hours at a time,

together with often poor road surfaces that give them a pounding,

they stand up well. But problems can often arise from electrical defi-

ciencies or lack of maintenance,” he suggested.

Paul Ranson (L90) came in not long after James pulled out. He

had a different problem; his terminal was running intermittently

and the map had completely disappeared!

He also added that he was unable to process a credit card trip

or even clear an account journey, only being able to so with the

assistance of a helpful contact centre supervisor.

“I’ve had some grief,” Paul announced dryly albeit with a smile.

The technicians got to work checking the battery connections,

fuse holder and all associated wiring right up to the MDT itself.

“Ah ha!” A shriek of obvious success from deep below the data

black box came from the DaC techie.

“Gotcha you little…!” The voice fortunately tailed off before the

sentence was finished!

The source of all Paul’s grief was the USB connection to the

MDT, which had become slightly loose during the course of time

and service. One firm push of the blue cable back into the MDT,

the map was reset, final checks on the PED to ensure credit cards

could be processed with ease and Paul too was on his way back to

work.

It was at this point that Call Sign decided to pick the

brains of the guys who deal with these queries all day long,

and this is their timely advice.

Power supply/loss problems are frequently the basis of MDT’s

not functioning properly so there are some very basic checks you

can carry out yourself before attending Roman Way. It could be a

loose or dirty battery cable, corroded fuse or plastic fuse holder -

usually sited near to the battery. Or it might be something as sim-

ple as a loose connection to the MDT itself by way of any of those

three connections underneath the MDT.

The technicians also advised that the battery be dated by

scratching it carefully with a screwdriver when replaced to avoid

Call Sign March 2016

Page 28

Every issue of Call Sign takes a look back at ODRTS history through the

pages of the magazines of the time with a Flashback…

DIAL-A-CAB FLASHBACK

This month’s Flashback goes back 15 years to June 2001 and involves a group of DaC drivers who

were taking TV companies - and the City - by storm...!

DAC’S MONEY MEN ON TV AGAIN!

Regular readers will have read about the group of twenty taxi drivers - six of whom are on Dial-a-Cab - who together have formed the

Fiscal Shares Club. The idea of the club is that the members each invest an amount of money into a joint pot, which is then re-invested

into the stocks and shares that members feel can earn them a profit in either the long or short term.

Having already appeared on Carlton, BBC2 and US money channel, Bloomberg, the latter invited them back again to put

their portfolio before the eagle eyes of Share Magazine’s money expert, Nicole Swift. Call Sign was at Finsbury Square on

May 10th 2001 to see Bloomberg presenter Sara Lean film the intro to the programme, which went out one day later to

Europe and the USA.

It took eight ‘takes’ of the usual cabby TV “coincidence” of the interviewer talking to the camera about the subject, turning around,

shouting out Taxi and then amazingly the exact person they were hoping to interview drives up to accept the hiring! Sara climbed into

the cab of John Dixon (B67). More astonishingly was fellow club member Mark Rayner (V57) already sitting in the back!

John - resplendent in his DaC polo shirt together with Mark answered all Sara’s questions on camera. The questions were based on

the Club’s judgement and how successful their hunches had been. Off camera, the Club’s PR man, Martin Hizer (M47), was standing

outside hoping that Sara would invite him to squeeze into the cab, but sadly no invite came!

Sara asked Mark about their biggest disaster: “Easy” said Mark, “that has to be Arena Leisure.” Back in the Bloomberg studio,

Nicole Swift disagreed. It may not have been the greatest buy for what they were looking for, she said, but in the long term it could

build nicely. She added that Arena Leisure had made a 27 percent return over the previous 12 months and that certainly looked good

on paper.

Then she looked at three of their intended buys; Oystertec, Bett Brothers and Henry Boots. All of them, she explained, had strong

possibilities and the Club could do well with them.

When Sara Lean asked John Dixon whether the club based its buying on passenger’s hints and information, he said they used their noses as they drove along to see

what was succeeding by drawing in the punters, and what wasn’t. Nicole agreed that was a good strategy and would get them further than chancing their luck on pas-

senger tips. All in all, it was a Bloomberg thumbs-up for the Fiscal Shares Club, which showed London Taxi drivers in an excellent light.

The six DaC drivers in the Fiscal Club besides Martin, Mark and John are Alan Hall (B48), Andy Morrison (B78) and Mickey Brennan (Y67). We gave club PR man

Martin the last word and he told Call Sign that the club usually traded monthly so that they would have some money to play with.

“We’d look silly going to trade by asking for £5 worth of shares, please…!”

He added that it took three to four years to learn the Knowledge, but only took the club six months to learn how the stock market worked! So driving a cab had to

be more difficult!

LOOKING AT (TAXI) LIFE

With Tom Quigley (Y33)

into Mental Health care on the same day that the

National Wealth Service

BBC launched a two week special on the lack of

When you reach a certain age, you seem to spend

care offered to Mental Care patients...

more time taking and fetching older relatives to

and from hospital, and the fact that taxis are the

ideal vehicle for this journey gives the mistaken

Carrier Bags: It didn’t

impression that we can work when we want,

meaning that we never lose any money or time

take long...

doing it.

I recently wrote in Call Sign about the carri-

Of course, after spending hours in waiting

er bag scam of us all being charged 5p to save

rooms, wards and clinics, the journey to and

the planet while using fewer bags with the prof-

from those, plus the natural anxiety and stress

its going to charities. Have you noticed that

of looking after the relatives takes its toll so

charity shops are now becoming the worst

much so that by the time you do get home, the

offenders in this scam, as they don’t do the 5p

thought of getting into the taxi and going to

bags but only their own branded bags... at 10p!

work has been totally drained from you.

As we are too snobbish to go to jumble

Just recently, Wendy and I had been taking

been under the impression that this relative

sales? We go to boot sales and table top sales

three close relatives on such trips, each of

owned their own property.

or we do our bit by donating our goods to

these have their own lives on their own and all

One day it was set up for a bit of convalescing

charity shops. Whilst in there, we may pick

have a different living accommodation.

in a short term ward with the review of a stay in

up a bargain or two ourselves.

As we all know, every visit requires the same

a longer, more suitable home. Literally, the next

So imagine my face after taking some stuff in

questions over and over again - their own status

day all these thoughts had gone out of the win-

carrier bags and bin bags to a leading charity

and our relationship to them, as by and large it

dow to be replaced by telling us they were look-

shop. At the same time, while there, I went to

will be Wendy or I named as the first form of

ing to discharge the relative, even though it was

purchase a bargain or two and was standing

contact to be established before any form of

obvious to all that they were a long way from

there without a bag but looking at the pile of

medical help is administered for any long term

being ready.

bags I had just brought in. Behind the counter

strategy or solution.

It’s not the people we deal with at ward

was the assistant who was serving me and he

The same questions always come up: “Do

level, but the money men and women in the

told me without the faintest hint of a smile that

they live on their own?” To all three it’s a yes.

background. I wonder how many working

the only bags they did were the 10p logoed

Then the key question:” Do they own the prop-

class people who bought their council hous-

ones.

erty they are living in?”

es to build a bright new future for their fam-

So I naturally enquired about what hap-

Once it’s established that none of them do, the

ilies and to leave something to their next of

pens to all the bags that I and many others

whole emphasis of what sort of treatment and

kin, now have to use that property to fund

bring in? Still with a serious look he told

care is replaced, so much so that in one case the

their health care.

me: “Oh, we throw those away!!!”

notes taken down by one particular hospital were

Also, the cynic in me saw the headlines in the

completely wrong and the hospital changed treat-

papers on Monday 15th February 2016 - that the

Tom Quigley

ment and strategy mid-way through, as they had

government are going to plough more money

Call Sign Online

Call Sign March 2016

Page 29

“I recently renewed my Bill

where the letter from TfL stated I

should return the completed

The Eyes Have It

medical form within 28 days,” Bill

Cobb (K76) informed Call Sign.

big advantage in this job!”

“However, I was due to have my eyes tested

The TfL documentation that comes with

by way of my regular optometrist check-up in

the medical form advises drivers to keep a

a few weeks, which would have meant I’d be

copy of the form before returning it to TfL.

late returning the completed medical form

Bill makes his own copy of the form and eye

that includes the eye test as part of the med-

test prescription for his records, but also

ical examination. So I called TfL to explain

requests a

‘proof of posting’ at the Post

the situation and they agreed to my delay,

Office.

noting the reason on my file,” Bill confided.

“I was also surprised how doctor’s fees for

“If, like me, you are over 60 years old, you

carrying out the medical can vary depending

can get a free eye test that in these economi-

on individual medical practitioners. As an

cally challenging times is a big bonus. So it

example, my current GP was a lot cheaper

makes sense to get the eyes sorted before you

than my previous one - although I suppose

go for the medical. The inclusion of an eye

that could have been because I provided my

test is a requirement of your driving licence

own eye test. Nonetheless, as a certain super-

being granted, so it is logical to arrange that

market chain says... every little helps,” said

first off. It also keeps the doctor happy,

Bill with an impish smile. “I suppose you

because it’s one less item to be checked and

could also say that the eyes have it!”

you can provide proof you’ve been done by

Bill Cobb

including a copy of the eye test prescription

“Anyway,” said Bill in passing, “you need to

Alan Green (E52)

with the doctor’s medical report.

be able to see potential passengers. That is a

Call Sign Online

Knowledge Boy

Taxi insurance

arrested at

for DaC drivers

trade demo

On behalf of Dial-a-Cab, Hillier Buchan Ltd in

Bexley have negotiated exclusive rates for DaC

members. We believe our rates are competitive in

today’s market for experienced licensed Black Cab

drivers.

At Hillier Buchan, we understand every driver’s circumstances

are different; therefore our policies can be tailored for the indi-

vidual driver. We offer a 5% discount for DaC members, with

additional discounts for existing protected Bonus policies.

ne of many Knowledge of London stu-

Hillier Buchan was established in 2002 by David Hillier and

dents demonstrating along with over 8000

myself with in excess of 50 years experience as high level Brokers

taxi drivers at the recent Whitehall demo,

working in the City of London for major broking houses. We

Patric McGuinness, was arrested with

have established a reputation for professionalism and service in

another Knowledge student for obstruction. He sus-

our chosen fields.

tained bruising to his wrist and was released the same

We have extensive London Market contacts; consequently we

day. He was told that the charge would probably be

are able to offer our clients a quality of security from companies

dropped, but later told that may not be the case.

that are all available in the world’s pre-eminent insurance market.

However, Patric’s main concern is that whatever hap-

As a result, our clients achieve quality of security and service

pens, the incident could go on file and impede his

upon which we pride ourselves and a competitiveness of premi-

progress on the KoL. Witnesses were queuing up to tes-

um that our clients find particularly attractive in today's climate.

tify on his behalf and we’ve been told that the LTDA

Our philosophy is to build long-term relationships using bal-

have offered to defend him.

anced service teams providing continuity and expertise. Compare

Call Sign was there on the day and can honestly say

our prices and give us a call. See our ad on page 21 of Call Sign.

that we have never seen such a well behaved demo and

one where the demonstrators and police got on so well

Phil Buchan

considering how important the reason for the demo

Hillier Buchan

was. We trust that LTPH/TfL will agree...

01322 553313

Call Sign March 2016

Page 30

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at Dial-

a-Cab House or email us at

Assembly but has said she wants to pedes-

callsignmag@aol.com

trianise Oxford Street. George Galloway

gained votes when he said his son is on the

How to build a cycle

KoL and how much he supports taxi dri-

vers, but he also supports the PHV union.

superhighway...

Sadiq Khan has come out against

Hi Alan

what you are suggesting be achieved? Yes

Goldsmith’s bus lane scenario and is said

I am currently away in Melbourne, Australia,

it can, but would it be beneficial to the

to be the favourite. The Green Party is rep-

but thought you’d be interested in knowing

Society when you consider that one of

resented by Highgate councillor Sian

that the local council here have put in a fully

the taxi Apps spends

£3 of Venture

Berry, while Culture spokesman Peter

segregated cycle lane measuring 3/4 of a

Capital money for every £1 it earns?

Whittle is the UKIP candidate and Sophie

mile. But unlike ours, they did it in just a sin-

Regarding your final suggestion of hav-

Walker is from the Women’s Equality Party.

gle weekend, only working at night and it

ing a 10% discount off their first three

You pays your money, Jim ... Ed

included moving all the car parking with a

journeys, I assume Dial-a-Cab will bear

protection island over the full length of it.

the cost of the discount, because under

Perhaps Mayor Boris should ask the Mayor

Credit card machines

the new regulations we cannot charge a

over here how it’s done, because he obvious-

Alan

fee to the customer, so we will never be

ly doesn’t know...

Is there any way DaC can use the new Credit

able to recoup that initial outlay...

Bernie Silver (F13J)

Card regulations to our benefit and fit them

Bernie, if you’re trying to cheer me up,

into cabs not on DaC but needing the new

Novikov

you have failed miserably! ...Ed

equipment? Or perhaps put these drivers onto

Hello Alan

our app and give them membership where

I'm always dropping Russians off at Novikov,

they pay a bond for the CC machine but can't

Berkeley Street. Food critic Jay Rayner said

Electric cars and bus lanes

do account work unless they pay for a full fit

it was packed but with the worst food and at

Hi Al

out as and when needed by DaC. Run-ins

£150 for two people, then they must have

Am I the only one who listened to the Nick

would need to go though in order to compete

money to burn! It’s funny how our

Ferrari programme on LBC when he inter-

with other apps. The trade needs a driver-

Government say they are cracking down on

viewed Zac Goldsmith because no one is

owned circuit now more than ever, otherwise

tax cheats yet welcome all the foreign ones!

screaming in our trade? He made a major

if DaC goes we could be paying 20% + on

Fortunately, they seem to like the black cab!

statement against our trade which will

account and app jobs in a few years’ time with

David Heath (Ex-W27)

destroy us saying that if he becomes Mayor,

then as an incentive for people to buy elec-

profits leaving the trade.

Portslade, East Sussex

tric cars, he will allow them to use bus lanes.

We could have an advert on our cabs - per-

Novikov is one of Russia’s favourite

upmarket restaurants, so it isn’t surpris-

Why bus lanes? Why not a reduction on VAT

haps the rear doors - and reduce our CC mer-

ing to see it doing so well over here. What

or anything else? This is a scam to get Uber

chant fees or signal fees? DaC in partnership

into bus lanes; there are around fifty thou-

with whomever? Also we are not turning

is even better is the group of taxi drivers

sand electric Prius cars that will go straight

enough of the CC customers we pick up on the

known as the Mayfair Mob who have

into the bus lanes. Addison Lee lost their

secured ranks such as Novikov for the

street into long term customers. If we offered

case to access bus lanes and they don't like it,

licensed taxi industry ...Ed

them an incentive eg 10% off for their first 3

so now they are trying to do it via the back

journeys if they joined the app in the cab, they

door with a bit of help from Zac Goldsmith.

Choice!!!

might download our app there and then and

Cameron, Johnson, Osborne and

Hi Al

use us more often. But the run-in would have

Goldsmith all know a lady who just happens

There was a 65 plate taxi alongside me in the

to go to compete.

to work for Uber! What chance do we have

Strand with a Radio Taxis logo on the door

John Thomas (Y58)

when George Osborne tells Boris Johnson to

as well as the inside. However, the front

Brian Rice replies: That’s interesting John,

lay off Uber? Turkeys voting for Christmas

windscreen and partition had Hailo and

what you’ve asked has prompted many

again... I don't think so!

Gett stickers on, with also another Gett stick-

questions in just a few lines. Initially, our

Jim Smith (D09)

er offering £10 off new customer’s first ride.

‘Chip and Pin’ machines are not stand

Jim, you sent your email before reading

There was also a Hailo sticker advertising

alone units, they operate via your terminal,

last month’s editorial otherwise you’d

credit card payments!

so if as you suggest we were in a position to

have seen my comments. Other than

But the Radio Taxis credit card machine on

issue the whole trade with Chip and Pin

that, the reason no one has shouted is

the back partition had a bag over it claiming

then the cost would be huge as the

because he hasn’t yet been elected! Many

that it was out of order! A bit confusing for

machines are quite expensive to pur-

voters say they have learned a lesson

punters! I think I’ll cancel my application for

chase. At the time of writing, I believe

thanks to the current incumbent as

Mountview, I guess there’s not much work

under the new regulations the maximum

Mayor and will cast their vote elsewhere.

there!

figure that can be charged to the driver for

Jon Robinson (E88)

Zacharias Goldsmith has been called the

processing the cards will be 3%, when you

Sorry Jon, but I decided not to publish

wealthiest MP in Parliament and was said

consider that Amex charge 2.85% to the

this letter as it was too controversial; as a

to have been left a £1.2bn bequest by his

supplier of the equipment, then you will

result I arranged to have it put into your

father, Sir James Goldsmith. Although

see there is not a lot of profit in the trans-

copy only! ...Ed

Zac doesn’t talk about it, many claim that

action. My guess is that in the future if the

his income from the trust alone comes to

proposed regulations remain the same,

Family history!

around £5m per month! Even Real

then the supplier of the equipment will

Madrid’s Ronaldo probably sends him

Hi Alan

charge a rental to the driver.

I’m after a little help if possible. I’ve recently

begging letters! He says that if elected he

Incidentally, at the moment our driver

might look at cycle superhighways and

been researching my wife Mia’s family tree

App is your terminal; if we were to have an

and have discovered that her Great, Great,

decide if we should keep them. The real

App as you suggest for drivers that are not

question is whether someone so rich can

Great, Great Grandfather and various other

Members of Dial-a-Cab without run-ins and

ancestors were cab proprietors/cabmen, pre-

understand what working people have to

gratuities, then we would just be compet-

put up with.

dominantly in the 19th Century. They lived

ing against ourselves, which would I

in and around Boar’s Head Yard (now

The LibDem’s Caroline Pidgeon is pop-

believe lead to the whole circuit operat-

ular with taxi drivers thanks to her sup-

Great George Street) and ran various busi-

ing without run-ins and gratuities. Can

nesses from South Island Place, Stockwell.

port for our trade via the London

Call Sign March 2016

Page 31

Mailshot

Having read Sean Farrell’s Brethren of

the Whip article in January’s Call Sign, it

ations) a fixed number of licensed taxis, so an

prompted me to write and ask if you could

increase in work from any angle will automati-

pass on this email to Sean and any other cab

cally make all drivers busier irrespective of

trade historians you may know, or let me have

what circuit or what app they’re on or not.

any contacts you may have in order to find

I do feel at times that some drivers believe

out a little more about this branch of my

they are an island and are not affected by what

wife’s family. I’ve posted the link to a couple

others are doing, which seems to be misguided

of court cases this branch of the family were

See Brian Rice’s Chairman’s Report on

say the least. So what we are looking for is an

page 4 ...Ed

involved in and whilst interesting for Mia and

app-based dispatching system that can be pro-

her family to read, may not be of much inter-

moted as a simple ‘no ifs no buts’ 30% dis-

est to anyone else, but if you feel as though

count to the metered fare that all drivers can

AGM 2

they’d be useful for Call Sign, feel free to use

join. Of course this is already out there, it just

Dear Alan,

them and the above information. Maybe

needs someone to do it properly.

The AGM will certainly be covered by you in

someone reading them could help with my

Coverage is a dead issue as I see it, the fact

a responsible objective manner elsewhere in

research.

that SURGE pricing exists and is accepted ie tol-

Call Sign, but may I make a few personal

Steve Thomas (N10)

erated proves that point. To be clear, none of

observations. Given the financial report,

No sooner said than done! See Sean

us want or would choose to work below the

there was clearly an underlying feeling of

Farrell’s Brethren of the Whip inside this

clock but we have to be pragmatic; this is

dejection in the room. There were the usual

where the market is at. Satnav has commodi-

issue. If any DaC drivers have a cab dri-

complaints about the competition and fail-

tised our business but a lot of people would

ving family that go back many years and

ure to enforce regulations. Also road works

still rather use us at the same price or indeed a

would like some information on their

and cycle lanes were held responsible for

small premium to the competition via an app,

history, Sean may be able to help. Email

our woes. This reminded me of drivers com-

so the answer is obvious... do an hour reading

Call Sign and we’ll put you in touch with

your book at Kings Cross or take a £20 fare for

plaining many years ago about closure of the

Sean. He can’t promise anything but he’ll

£14 and then when the rank is running fast,

north side of Leicester Square to traffic that

have a go! ...Ed

turn the app off.

would “make it impossible for us to earn a

Hoping that TfL are going to somehow put

living.” We have to accept that taxis are only

Holding the ace card

obstacles in the way of the competition is

a small part of the picture as seen by the

futile, and as for Crowdfunding to make

authorities and the public; endless com-

and still losing!

legal challenges, we may as well just take the

plaints about each change does nothing to

Dear Alan

money up Chancery Lane and give it straight

endear us to the wider community.

I have written before regarding our fares and

to the lawyers and tell them to have a good

About the only practical suggestion to help

suggesting we look to undertake the longer

time with it!

our organisation was for a merger with

ones on a more competitive basis (I think

David Fletcher (O15)

another one or even two circuits so that

this has to some extent come to fruition).

Hi David, thanks for a really interesting let-

expenses could be shared and efficiency

The problem with this strategy as I see it is

ter; it will be equally interesting to hear

improved through economies of scale. But

that this approach is somewhat messy from a

what drivers think ...Ed

given that we own our offices, sharing with

marketing perspective. From speaking to

anyone else would not make much differ-

some of my passengers, I get the impression

AGM

ence to our overheads, especially as we have

that they are drawn to using what is now (as

Hi Alan

already reduced staff costs as much as possi-

I see it) our main competitor namely Uber,

I attended the AGM on Sunday and the thing

ble. Only the creation of many new substan-

based on price. They, in some cases, have

that struck me most was Mike Tovey saying

tial accounts could help our position, and

been at pains to point out that it’s not just

that things could not go on as they were and

that is not on the horizon. So as far as I can

that we were approaching a crossroads. This

the fact that there is a price difference, but

contrasted with his upbeat assessments in

see, the idea that a merger would improve

that the difference is just too wide. Many

previous years. There did not seem to be a

the basics is no more than wishful thinking.

have indicated that all else being equal (and

clear cut strategy coming from the Board as

Sharing accounts and sharing drivers will

this point is important) a modest premium

to how we go on from here. There was plenty

hardly boost the income of any individual

would be acceptable and indeed paid to use

of blaming eg it was TfL’s fault with their

driver.

us rather than them. So the questions that

crazy traffic schemes and their light touch

Most people I spoke to accepted, reluc-

need answering as I see it, is what should

approach to Uber, or it’s the meter and the

tantly, that the time has come to admit that

that discount be and how should this be mar-

expensive vehicle we drive that means we

radio circuits have done well in their day but

keted / promoted to have the desired effect?

can't compete on price.

have now been overtaken by events, newer

Regarding the first question, I noted that

There was vague talk of an amalgamation

technology, arrival of outside companies

on a recent Sunday afternoon a fixed price

between the three major circuits, but mean-

with massive financial and political backing,

job was dispatched and covered without

while the Society is losing money and things

and poor response from TfL. Rather than

prompting by dispatch for NW8

cannot just drift. It was not until the mem-

continuing to prop up a failing loss-making

Heathrow for £51. Given that this would be

bers spoke and pushed for the sale of the

organisation, the interests of members

on Rate 2, I would imagine the meter price

building that some sort of concrete proposal

would best be served by selling our building

to have been at least £65; therefore this was

emerged. But what did not emerge was a

and distributing the total residual assets. The

done either at - or very near - a 30% dis-

clear timescale so could Brian please tell us

longer we wait to do this the more money

count to that clock. So, albeit only one in this

when he believes he has a definite proposal

will vanish from our reserves each

particular example, it does prove that some

to put to the membership. I have always been

week. None of this should be seen as a per-

drivers are prepared to work well under the

a supporter of Brian and have confidence in

sonal criticism of the chairman or any of the

clock. Regarding the marketing, I would

his ability to get the best deal for the mem-

Board members who have worked very hard

imagine that as an industry the licensed trade

bers if we choose to demutualise.

for many years and guided us through sever-

would get a lot of support if it offered a sim-

One of the members said that attending

al years of great success.

ple app-based facility that was promoted as a

the AGM was like being in the movie

Laurence Kelvin (W88)

licensed taxi at a

30% discount to the

Groundhog Day. I hope that things move on

There is a six page report on the AGM

metered fare. As my title suggests, we hold

this year and that we don't wake up on the

inside this issue + the Chairman’s view

the ace card in that when it’s busy on the

morning of the next AGM to the sound of

on the financial report at the meeting, in

street, we can just do that work on the

Sonny and Cher's I got you babe!

addition to his report on page 4 where he

clock. We have (subject to some small fluctu-

Mick Kennedy (M30)

reflects on the meeting...

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