Call Sign July 2003 - Page 19 - DAC'S FIFTIETH IS THE BALL OF THE YEAR!

On a beautiful summer's evening, exactly 50 years to the day that our founder Chairman Bonnie Martyn organised a 'whip round' at the Albany Tavern in Great Portland Street to fund the beginning of ODRTS, Dial-a-Cab celebrated their Golden Anniversary with a Dinner and Ball at London's amazing Great Halls of Vinopolis.
   With a who's-who of London's corporate business world representing our clients, the leaders of all the radio circuits forgetting their rivalries and the PCO with their human side showing joining our staff, drivers and Board, the night was celebrated with pure entertainment.
   With many special guests of honour present including former Chairmen Jack Russell and Aubrey Siteman and the widows of founder-Chairman Bonnie Martyn (Carol) and ex-Chairmen Phil Messias (Faye) and Jack Taylor (Edna) who are sadly no longer with us, a flowing Champagne reception started the evening off in fine fashion with guests drinking from magic glasses that were never allowed to drop below half-full!
   Those wanting a gamble were given "toy" money to exchange for chips at a roulette table, with the guest winning the largest amount exchanging them for a bottle of champagne. In addition, there was an Elizabethan-style market with a tattooist prepared to paint henna-styles tattoos onto your body, a mysterious looking lady who read your future via Tarot cards, while a conjurer and pickpocket entertained those who wanted a little wander around!
   Dinner began with a gorgeous, chunky slice of filleted salmon, garnished with care and leading to the main course of roast beef, succulently cooked to perfection by someone who believed in exhibiting their culinary skills to the highest degree. The non-carnivorous variety amongst the 250+ guests were served with a lovingly cooked piece of tender Halibut. Accompanying

Toasting 50 years of DaC at the Chairman's Table

DAC'S FIFTIETH IS THE BALL OF THE YEAR!

The dessert was one of the most amazing ever seen. Called The Big Five Ohhhh after our anniversary, it consisted of five separate items, each in their own containers on one huge plate and which, besides being absolutely exquisite in their taste, led to numerous discussions as to what each dish contained.
A "short" 15-minute speech by Brian Rice turned out to be very entertaining for the guests as he made what was probably the most light-hearted and entertaining speech of his Chairmanship - and all without notes! The only really poignant part was his mention of Bonnie Martyn and how pleased we were to see his wife there. The evening was also Brian's 28th wedding anniversary and he presented his lovely wife Brenda with 28 yellow roses. Brian told guests how he first gave Brenda a yellow rose on their first anniversary, two on their second and three on their third etc, there were gales of laughter when he made mention of the growing cost each year!
Brian also presented his PA, Jacqui Chart, with a deserved bouquet because it was she that organised the whole evening. Even then Brian couldn't resist cracking a joke. "They're her favourites," said Brian as he presented Jacqui with the Lillies - "I know that because she ordered them herself!" Jacqui, looking absolutely stunning in her long dress, deserves great

credit for organising such an amazing night.
   Brian was followed by the evening's cabaret, comedian Ian Richards who probably hadn't expected such competition from the DaC Chairman! He entertained the guests with 30 minutes of non-stop gags without once needing to resort to the one about only recognising cab drivers by the back of their heads! Without realising it, Ian picked on ComCab MD Mike Galvin as the butt of many of his jokes! Mike showed what a great sense of humour he has as he laughed along with them.
   Then it was time to boogie into the early hours with the brilliant After Dark who knew the exact music needed to get everyone dancing. With two DJ's standing-by during the group's drinks break, the dance floor was never less than full all night.
June 7 1953 was a momentous day in the first fifty years of Dial-a-Cab, but June 7 2003 will also go down as the night we didn't just remember our humble beginnings, but celebrated them with the new style that has now become part of Dial-a-Cab. Congratulations to everyone who was part of that magical night and who has been involved in our first fifty years of success...
   With Alan Green joining the evening as a guest, we used Karen Zetter as our snapper for the evening. Turn to the centre pages and watch the evening unfold...

Alan Fisher