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On 22 February 2009, Ken Freeborn (W6)
celebrated 45 years as a London Taxi driver and was joined by
family and close friends to mark the auspicious occasion. Ken is
the older brother of Martin Freeborn (C67), himself no
stranger to Call Sign’s pages. As guests gathered, the talk was of old times, cab trade characters from the past, makes and models of taxis owned and journey’s into the (sometimes) unknown! Nostalgia ruled the day as cab-driving colleagues each had a story to tell about those bygone days. The conversation was lively as the guests - some still driving, others retired - each brought a wide variety of taxi memorabilia and related artefacts to share and enjoy. During the day, a quick calculation revealed a total of 272 years of public service among drivers present - an astonishing fact! Speaking to Call Sign, Ken told us: "I bought my first cab, a Beardmore, in April 1965 and joined what was then known as the ‘TERminus 6444’ radio circuit towards the end of May 1965." That ‘radio circuit’ was in fact ODRTS Ltd, the forerunner of Dial-a-Cab. Ken continued: "There are other drivers with longer service records than mine, but as the date coincided with my birthday, Jennie and I thought it |
Ken Freeborn celebrates 45 years as a Taxi driver! |
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 Ken and Jennie cut the Beardmore cake |
competition, winning the title
in 1979 and again in 1987, with younger brother Martin taking
the trophy in 1990. Indeed, in recent years 6 out of the 10
winners of this prestigious taxi championship have been on
Dial-a-Cab. The competition’s combination of Knowledge of London
and driving skills through a very tough assault course ensured
that only the best made the grade. The guests also spoke of Ken’s charity work on behalf of the War Disabled Benevolent Fund, and St. Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney, where he first teamed up with Call Sign Editor, Alan Fisher and the late Ian Cameron, to transport and even entertain the residents. "May I, through Call Sign," said a happy Ken, "express both Jennie and my own thanks to everyone who helped make this a really special day of celebration, all those behind the scenes who supplied info and historic documents, from the TDOY Committee, Benevolent Fund folks and Dial-a-Cab Board and Staff for all their efforts. We both appreciate it greatly." Well done Ken… ©Call Sign Magazine MM9 |
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would be fun to mark the
occasion.Everyone invited bought in to the theme of a ‘Cab
Driver’s Convention’ with gusto, and WAGS were swept along with
the idea too!" Ken’s meticulously kept accounts from those long gone days of 1965, record his Beardmore taxi costing £500, while 4 gallons of diesel fuel was 18 shillings and 4 pence in old money. That equates to around £0.92p in today’s decimal currency! "92p for 4 gallons," Ken laughed, "it makes you wonder what went wrong!" Ken has twice won the coveted Taxi Driver of the Year |
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Brian Rice ‘minder’ Paul Clark at WCHCD Dinner! |
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The Worshipful Company of
Hackney Carriage Drivers recently held a successful Spring
Court Dinner where Masters and their Clerks from many
different City Livery Companies joined them. Guest speaker was
Paul Clark MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for
Transport. DaC Chairman Brian Rice was handed the "job" of looking after Paul Clark until dinner and had a comprehensive chat about the London taxi and radio trade. He added to Call Sign: "I felt a bit like Minder!" Prior to a champagne reception, new Freemen were admitted to the WCHCD. The Master, Andrew Overton and his Court of Assistants welcomed Spencer Davis, Alan Garner, Mario Alain Goinden and Edward John Relph. It is always gratifying to welcome new Freemen into the Company, which continues to accept applications. Anyone wishing to learn more about the Company can contact The Clerk, Mary Whitworth, on 01494 765922. Soon the reception began and the Saddlers Hall was filled with Liverymen, Freemen and their guests. It is always a good opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues both old and new at these receptions and this was no exception. The WCHCD is held in high regard throughout the City and Masters of other livery Companies attending the dinner brought great diversity to the proceedings. They included those from the Tax Advisers, the Firefighters, the Carmen and the Saddlers. One of the more prominent events in the annual |
 WCHCD Master, Andrew Overton, with Paul Clark. Earlier Brian Rice had ‘minded’ him! |
| diary of WCHCD is the
annual Magical Taxi Tour to Disneyland Paris and many of
the Livery Companies are pleased to help sponsor this event and
make it possible. In his speech, Andrew Overton thanked these
Livery Companies and added that the WCHCD had already taken over
3000 terminally and chronically sick children to Disneyland
Paris. Paul Clark then spoke of his admiration for London’s taxi trade and the work it does. He referred to less mobile passengers and how they have come to rely on the trade. He spoke on the consultation currently under way that was looking into the provision of taxi services across the country. Not every town and city in the UK has the same requirements for taxis as London, so the government is consulting with taxi and private hire trades and their users to look at solutions that would meet passengers’ needs. Diners later enjoyed a Stirrup Cup and Paul Clark was happy to answer questions. The evening was enjoyed by all who attended… |
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