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DAC’S OLDEST PASSENGER VISITS THE OFFICE! |
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| There are celebrations and there
are celebrations! The London Taxidriver’s Fund for
Underprivileged Children taking over the House of Commons
for the climax of their 80th birthday celebrations, undoubtedly
provided an evening to remember. Included in the invitation was an offer for an official guided tour of the magnificent seat of British government and many – dressed in all their finery - took up the option. Then came the main celebrations beginning with a Dial-a-Cab sponsored Champagne reception followed by dinner in the Members dining room. Not every evening of this magnitude provides food to match, but on this occasion the roast rump of Dorset lamb was nothing less than superb, served along with the House of Commons own wines – a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir – which were kindly sponsored by KPM and Mercedes Benz. Host for the evening was Ilford North MP Lee Scott. He does much for the licensed taxi trade and made a very humorous speech about who usually sits where among the three main parties. Realising that by following Lee Scott’s humour he would be on a loser, Alex Robertson, Chief Superintendent of the City of London Police, kept his toast to the Queen very short. However, Dial-a-Cab’s Bill Tyzack (C06), who is the Hon Life President of the LTFUC, wasn’t quite as shy and literally brought the "House" down with some of his stories of past Fund activities. Next came what was supposed to be a toast by DaC Chairman Brian Rice to the Committee, drivers, helpers and children of the LTFUC. However, when toastmaster Ashley Powell announced Brian as making a speech to the Fund rather than a toast, he briefly swallowed hard and got on with it. Never short of a sentence or two, the diners were in fits of laughter at his stories – including a friendly dig at the lady Mayor of Westminster who fortunately had a sense of humour! It’s just as well there was dancing to follow or he might still have been speaking! David Lessman (D19) gave a moving and often amusing response to Brian’s speech and to a huge round of applause, was quick to point out that none of the Fund’s activities would work without the assistance of the drivers. Then it was onto the entertainment – sponsored by Doug and Audrey Sherry – held next door in the Strangers dining room dancing to Belissima – who can often be seen entertaining at events sponsored by JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Rothschilds and many others. They also provided the music at Elton John’s AIDS Foundation and the birthday party of Chelsea owner Roman Abromovich. For those preferring the quieter life such as the LTDA contingent led by Bob Oddy – sporting a huge smile all evening – together with John Thomas, Barry Hooper and - you couldn’t make it up – Steve McNamara, there was the magnificent Pugin Room where drinks were available. The Fund also wanted to thank Michael and Cheryl Holland for sponsoring the printing and Call Sign, who provided the photographer for the trade press at no cost. |
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 Fund chairman David Lessman with wife Sandra and Mike Son |
 The LTFUC committee pose in the Members Dining Room |
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 Brian
Rice makes the toast to the Fund and children |
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 DaC HR Manager John Rogers and Sky newsreader Sacha Twining |
 The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Louise Hyams, makes a speech |
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 Editor's wife with Chentha, wife of Roman Way Manager Dana |
Photos: Alan Green |
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REMEMBERING LAURIE ROOKE… |
The death of Dial-a-Cab driver Laurie Rooke
(G32) left many very shocked family and friends. According
to DaC Chairman Brian Rice, he couldn’t remember
attending a funeral where there were so many people gathered. He
estimated those who had gone to pay their respects as numbering
close to three hundred.
Certainly many drivers knew Laurie, but having been with DaC for
so many years he also knew many of the girls who work behind the
scenes at DaC House and who were also at our previous homes of
Brunswick House and Shirland Road. Two of those friends –
Denise Zemma and Lorraine Carruthers – asked
Call Sign if they could leave their personal tributes to
Laurie…Laurie was my friend of 32 years. He belonged to this rare species called real friends, always willing to help and listen. He put the people he loved first and had this knack of making you feel a lot better when you felt sad or under the weather. He lived life to the full and touched many people's lives along the way. This was reflected in the number of people who came to pay their respect at his funeral. We shall miss that lovely smile of yours Laurie, and your corny jokes, and having to listen to some obscure rock band! Most of all we shall miss YOU. Au Revoir (and not Adieu) Denise I knew Laurie for just over 30 years and he was one of the
best friends you could ever wish to have, the type of person you
could count on at all times. He supported me and my family
through sad times, tough times and also happy times - such as
being Godfather to my daughter. Lorraine And from all the drivers who knew Laurie, rest in peace. You will be greatly missed… |
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