Call Sign September 2008 - Page 20 & 21 - DAC’S OLDEST PASSENGER VISITS THE OFFICE! - DEANO MARRIES LAURA AT LAKE GARDA

DAC’S OLDEST PASSENGER VISITS THE OFFICE!
Dial-a-Cab driver Wayne Garrett (D64) recently mentioned to Val Gomez in Driver Services that a Westminster passenger he had picked up many times had reached the grand old age of 100. He also told Val that Eileen Pattison had an amazing past and was the Goddaughter of Hollywood legend Fred Astaire! But one other thing stuck in Val’s mind; Eileen had been speaking to the same Westminster telephonist for many years and even knew her as Irene, but of course they had never met. In fact Eileen even remembered Val Gomez from when she worked in the Call Centre many years earlier. But then Val forgot about Eileen until she saw this mag’s editor and recounted the story to him… To Call Sign, it seemed more than just a nice little tale, so we asked those upstairs whether we could organise something in the form of a celebration to Eileen and thanks to the Board’s PA, Jacqui Chart, a small reception was held for her at DaC House. During her time on DaC’s fourth floor conference suite, Eileen told her "guests" who included Brian Rice, Keith Cain, Val Gomez, Westminster Account Manager Carol Carpenter, Caroline McGowan, calltaker Irene Russ, Jacqui Chart, taxi driver Wayne, Eileen’s carer Marva and others, about her amazing life as actress Eileen May. Her parents had also been on the stage and it was they who had a friendship with Fred Astaire and he asked whether he could be Godfather to their expected baby – Eileen. It was a natural progression for Eileen to fit into her parent’s theatrical lifestyle and during her many years on the UK stage, she either appeared with or became friends with the likes of Ginger Rogers, Julie Andrews, Gene Kelly, Joan Crawford, Dora Bryan, Norman Wisdom and of course Fred Astaire, plus many other household names from the theatre and movie industries. In between the tea and birthday cake, more and more questions were fired at Eileen and rather than appear tired or even confused considering that she is over 100, she lapped up the questions and gave incredibly detailed answers. When Call Sign asked for her secret to a long and healthy life, she said: "Don’t drink, don’t smoke, go to bed early and mind your own business!" She also added that "too much booze and sex wouldn’t help either!" Amazingly, Eileen also gave the amazed audience a song from one of her shows. Her only regret, she said, was the passing of her husband who she still missed. Driver Wayne had heard many of the stories before, but told Call Sign that Eileen was a remarkable lady and even though her card trips rarely went beyond the doctor or hairdresser, he was always delighted to be one who got the trip. "Today has been truly wonderful," Eileen told us afterwards, "you are all such lovely people and the service you provide is unbeatable." Then to the males present, she instructed us to go home and to be nice to our wives. "They don’t get anywhere near the appreciation they deserve!" To Eileen May Pattison, a very happy birthday from everyone at DaC to a truly remarkable lady…
Eileen arrives at DaC with carer Marva	After many years, Eileen meets the two voices she knows so well, Irene (left) and Val
Eileen grabs Keith Cain’s hand as she recounts a story about Ginger Rogers		A kiss from the Chairman – available to all who reach 100…!
It’s 1935 and Eileen was starring as Prince Charming in Cinderella

DEANO MARRIES LAURA AT LAKE GARDA

With a Lake Garda backdrop, Deano and Laura make a lovely picture

Deano's Book, Nice Work if You Can Get It In March this year, Call Sign writer Mickey Lappin (E46) in his Mickey’s Music column wrote about a London Busker Dean Saunders and his daily grind of travelling from home in Rainham, Essex to Vauxhall for his regular job, but how at night he turned into Deano the busker, playing his guitar and singing his own songs to help cheer up the tube-travelling public.
   Deano is a licensed underground busker and registered member of The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers and currently compiling a catalogue of songs that he hopes to sell to signed artists and music publishers. But that’s not what this piece is about…
   Dial-a-Cab driver Terry Catherall (Y90) and his wife Dawn proudly called Call Sign to tell us that their gorgeous Daughter, Laura, had married Deano in July. However, the wedding certainly didn’t take place anywhere near any underground station that we know of; it was in the beautiful location of the Riva del Garda end of Italy’s Lake Garda.
   "They looked absolutely magical in that setting," said a delighted Terry, "and they make a really lovely couple."
   Adding to Deano’s talents, his first book was published recently. Called Nice work if you can get it (John Blake Publishing), it tells the story of a gigolo on the Costa del sol. A good and very funny read for both sexes…

THE HOUSE COMES HOME!
Parliament account returns to Dial-a-Cab…

The House is returning to Dial-a-Cab

In the Chairman’s Call Sign report of April 2007, Brian Rice informed Dial-a-Cab members that we had been unsuccessful in our tender to retain the House of Commons account.
   We had been associated with the account for many years and according to Brian, would have to assume that they were not prepared to accept the DaC tender in which our fixed prices had been raised. The account went to the Radio Taxis Group and in the true DaC way, Brian wished them well with it and also assured the client that we held no grudge and that any time they needed any assistance from us, we would always do our best to help.
   Now Call Sign has heard that the account – both commons and Lords - would like to return to DaC. We do not know the details as to why RTG have suddenly lost the account and possibly never will, however, it is a great compliment to DaC to be asked to return.
   The account, which is mainly an evening one, will operate on a fixed price basis and all trips will be dispatched As Directed. As on EC5, going home trips will only be available via the bid zone.

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