Call Sign August 2011
Page 7
Brian Rice resigns as
The Worshipful Company of Hackney
Carriage Drivers was plunged into shock
when Dial-a-Cab Chairman and WCHCD
WCHCD Lower Warden!
Lower Warden Brian Rice handed in a let-
ter of resignation from that position just two
years before he would have become Master
of the Company. He would have followed
being available.
Jim Rainbird (T25), who is the current
"I'm sure that Jim Rainbird would confirm
Master until September, then Eddie
how much of a demanding role being
Crossley and former DaC driver Brenda
Master is and I have no doubt that although
Bartlett.
being Master is undoubtedly a tremendous
Call Sign asked Brian why he felt he
honour, it will come at a cost to Jim in that
had to resign, as he always gave the
he can't work while carrying out the numer-
impression of enjoying his involvement
ous visits and meetings that accompany the
with the WCHCD?
position most of which are written about
"Don't get me wrong," the DaC Chairman
in Call Sign. I'm also sure that he happily
forgoes that earning ability for the honour
told us, "not only have I enjoyed my time at
his position carries. However, I would be in
the Company, but I considered it to be a
a different position as my absence from
great honour as, like previous Masters, I
DaC for WCHCD business wouldn't just
gradually worked my way through the
affect me on a personal basis, because if
Court of Assistants.
that was the case I would have been
"However, it recently occurred to me that
delighted to carry on."
in just over two years I would be in the
So does that mean that Brian sees himself
position that Jim Rainbird currently carries
as being with DaC for the foreseeable
out so well and be required to spend much
future?
time with duties connected with the post.
"That decision doesn't fall to me, but yes,
The problem I could foresee was one of
Brian with current Master Jim Rainbird
I'm not ashamed to say that I love DaC and
what would happen if I were scheduled to
after 37 years here I still have a desire to see
"Under those circumstances, I had little
meet an important VIP on behalf of the
it do well and if it comes to a straight choice
choice but to resign from the position of
WCHCD perhaps even the Mayor and
between the two, then sadly my involve-
Lower Warden. Naturally I will remain in the
suddenly there was an urgent problem at
ment with the WCHCD will be the one to
WCHCD - and in the Court of Assistants too
DaC? I would then be in the position of can-
suffer. I also feel that it would be unfair to
should they want me - and if I can help in
celling one of them - and there would be no
the Company to wait until the time I was
any way I would always try to make myself
choice. Dial-a-Cab is where I earn my living,
scheduled to become Master to let them
available, because it really is such a worth-
it's a Society that I love and as much as I
know. At least they now have over two
while organisation. But that isn't the same as
admire the WCHCD and everything it stands
years to make alternative arrangements..."
virtually guaranteeing a position of always
for, DaC would always have to come first.
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