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Those of you who are entranced by Dutch television on satellite (as in TV
Veronica) will know about the wonderful taste displayed in their shows! We
won't go any further along those lines…! However, very occasionally, even the Dutch come up with something that is not only interesting, but also non-pornographic! Earlier this year was one example, when Dutch presenter Michael Krass come to London with a camera crew to compare London with other Euro capitals in the latest of a series of programmes on Life in the Euro Capitals. This one was called City Cabs and featured Dial-a-Cab as the voice, eyes and ears of London. Mr Krass told his viewers about London's traditions and spoke about 'Bobbies', 'phone booths' "…and of course London's taxis - probably the finest in the world." The next shot features the amazingly 'dressed-down' Michael Krass waiting in the queue at Victoria for a cab. "My" he told viewers, "aren't they civilised!" Then who should come along quite coincidentally? None other that DaC Board member Tom Whitbread (and before you ask, yes he did have logos fitted)! We then followed the pair around London with Michael asking Tom about his views on everything from the Royal Family to the EU. |
TOM WHITBREAD STARS IN DUTCH TV SHOW |
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| As you would expect, Tom replied
in his non-controversial manner… "I'm British" he said, "then European! I want to be ruled by the British parliament and not some unknown place in Brussels!" On a more serious note, Tom explained about the intricacies of the Knowledge while Krass thought that perhaps the British were proud but pig-headed. Following a trip to the Tower, next on the list was a visit to Brunswick House and the DaC training room which really looked extremely posh with it's blue walls, high powered terminals shining through and video wall. Melissa Khan (Senior Training Co-ordinator) and Theresa Spears (IT department) were doing their best to look like call takers while several others looked to be working on their WP's. |
Then Tom and Michael followed
Call Taker Paul Richards - who at the time was on the Knowledge but has
since passed out - to a restaurant in Upper Street. "Do you think you can find that?" asked Michael Krass. "I'll do my best," said Paul trying hard not to smile and away from BH they went, off to Islington's Café Flo where coffee and cakes were served compliments of Dutch TV. Then the final part - and possible highlight (!!!) - a trip to the Hanover Square Shelter where the servings looked so huge that Krass thought the plate was to share between him, Tom and the camera crew! The programme will be subtitled in Holland and is also expected to be sold to most Euro countries where they will now know what Londoners already know… Dial-a-Cab is the premier taxi organisation in London. |
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