Call Sign October 2001 - Page 13

LTFUPC DONATION TO POLICE SUMMER CAMP

Dial-a-Cab's David Lessman (D19), who is the Chairman of the London Taxidrivers' Fund for Underprivileged Children, along with the Fund's PR officer Raymond Levy recently attended a barbecue and disco following the culmination of a week's camping trip, which had been organised by the annual Police Summer Camp Project, for 60 needy and deserving children.
   During the week, the kids had been entertained with outings and competitions - the favourite being the donut eating one!
   However, David and Ray were not there just to eat, they were there as guests when being thanked by the organisers for the Fund's generous donation of Ł700, which enabled this year's 21st Project to go ahead without fear of financial problems.
   David Lessman told Call Sign after the ceremony: "The LTFUPC are very proud to have been able to play a part in providing this much needed holiday for so many deserving children."

PENTONVILLE ROAD STALWART
FLORRIE CULVERWELL DIES AGED 80

Florrie Culverwell taking calls at Pentonville Rd

At the same time that Call Sign was publishing an article by Sam Harris (D95J) on his early ODRTS memories in last month's issue - including an early 1955 picture of Florrie Culverwell - everyone at Dial-a-Cab was saddened to hear that Flo had passed away at the age of 80 in London's St Pancras Hospital. She had been suffering with Motor Neurone disease for some time.
Florrie's son Michael (G82) has been on DaC for the past 15 years and told Call Sign that it wasn't that long ago that his mother had been recounting the old days and spoken of people such as former dispatcher Johnny Thwaites and ex-Chairman Martin Gellman (C47J) with great fondness.
"In fact," said Michael, "she often spoke of the fact that the BBC were the first major ODRTS account and that in addition to her answering the phones, helping out with the occasional dispatching and making the tea, it was my mother's job to look after the BBC."

Call Sign also spoke to the ODRTS Founder-Chairman Bonnie Martyn on his memories of Florrie Culverwell...
   "I remember Flo so well," said Bonnie, "in those very early days we all used to turn our hand to anything that needed doing at our Pentonville Road office and Flo would always be the first to volunteer for any job regardless of how difficult. There was little that Flo couldn't turn her hand to."
   Bonnie continued: "I remember her as such a lovely, friendly lady. Everybody liked her and I remember that our early secretaries Doug Naismith and John Robinson relied heavily upon her knowledge."
   Bonnie ended by telling us what a wonderful servant Florrie Culverwell had been to ODRTS. She continued to work for ODRTS after the move to Shirland Road and continued right through the 60's.
   The name of Florrie Culverwell is enshrined within the history of Dial-a-Cab and our thoughts go out to Michael and his family...