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Call Sign August 2011
We are indeed lucky to be in a trade, which
Former fireman Richard Potter and life behind the
is a job for life unless of course you do some-
POTTER'S WHEEL
thing silly. What's the saying: "A green badge
takes years to get and seconds to lose?" Well
most are sensible enough to keep on the
not want to be the call taker on the other end
right side of the law, however, doing the
of a phone line having to explain to the cus-
same thing day in day out for years on end is
tomer that there were no taxis in their area. If
probably one of the hardest issues cab dri-
my memory serves me right, we did a FP only
vers face. The human brain has a unique flaw
account from Credit Swisse and then lost it
in that it likes to get into a routine and com-
soon after due to poor coverage. To me the
fort zone, but then gets bored very quickly.
answer is not clear, so let the status quo
We all have to work but we all want to get
remain.
home early, so lady luck plays a pivotal role
in our day's work. Yes, you can simply lose
money because you are unlucky. Indeed
Smoke alarm checks
learning to live with the fact that you are not
Finally, in 2008 one hundred people in the UK
in control of most of what happens during
died from fire-related incidents where they
your day is an important part of beginning to
had a smoke alarm fitted but it wasn't work-
enjoy the job as well. People comment on
ing. Check your smoke alarm regularly and if
how stressful our job is and they are very
you visit an elderly person, please do it for
correct in that observation, but there can't be
them as they may not be able to do it for
kept me waiting 16 minutes so it reverted!
very many jobs like it...
themselves and might be too polite to ask. It
I recently picked up Chairman Brian Rice
only takes a few seconds to test a smoke
from Waterloo on his usual journey to Dial-a-
Benefits of the
alarm, just press the red button. Also, if you
Cab and we chatted about FPs. I commented
know someone who hasn't got a smoke alarm
on the fact that why did we get offered only
recession???
at all, phone your local fire brigade and
London postal code FPs from that same
One thing about a recession is that prices
arrange a home fire safety check and they will
account and not higher ones from outer areas.
become more competitive as people make
put one in for free. They really do save lives.
He said that he wasn't sure whether they
cutbacks and I have been a regular in phon-
would get the jobs covered and not everyone
ing around to see what deals I can get. If you
Richard Potter (T51)
thought like me. I appreciate that and I would
ever get a quote, don't accept it without a
phone call first to see what deals are on offer.
I recently got £10 a month off a Sky package,
Celebrating the London 2012 Olympics
£40 of my AA renewal, a new wireless router
from TalkTalk - even though it won't work if
LONDON/SURREY CYCLING ROAD RACE
you are more than 2 metres away! I always
barter with my insurance company, Churchill,
This summer, the London Surrey Cycle Classic road race will see world-class cyclists
to match last year's quote. If you mention that
racing from central London to Surrey and back on 14 August 2011. This 140km event
you get a better deal from Direct Line they will
is part of the "London Prepares" series' testing programme for 2012. It is managed by
usually do something for you, even though
both companies are owned by the same peo-
the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games
ple. I am also a regular user of ASDA's price
(LOCOG) and brings the best cyclists from around the world to London's streets and
guarantee. Enjoy these bartering days now,
the challenging Surrey terrain.
because when things pick up, so will prices.
They will leave central London (The Mall) at 9am, racing to Surrey before returning
to The Mall following the same course as the Olympic and Paralympic Road Race. It
Charity bike ride
will provide an exciting spectacle for cycle racing fans as well as being totally free to
watch. It will bring some 2012 practise travel chaos to central London, but it will also
On the 19 June, along with 35,000 other rid-
bring an amazing spectacle with it the cycling road race.
ers, I took part in the London to Brighton bike
Transport for London is working with the London Boroughs, LOCOG and Surrey
ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
County Council to make sure the race passes safely with as few disruption as possible,
Even though it was 56 miles with the daunting
although there will be unavoidable road closures and parking suspensions.
Ditchling Beacon near the end, it was a huge-
ly enjoyable day out that myself and cycling
Don't forget the date 14 August. Details of the event can also be found on the
partner Steve from Wandsworth Parks Police
LOCOG's website:
completed in a very credible five hours. There
http://www.londonpreparesseries.com/roadcycling/index.html.
was a really great atmosphere and I got chat-
ting to many other cyclists from around
THE ALPHA POWER PILL
London who did various occupations.
Personally, I rarely say what I do apart from
that I work in transportation because someone
Now even better!
will always come up with some bad news
story. All in all we raised nearly £400 between
Helps cut the cost of diesel and reduces smoke!
us for the BHF and are looking forward to the
Chris Hayball is happy to supply any Dial-a-Cab drivers
same next year.
with the amazing Alpha Power Pill & at an even better rate than before!
Fixed price debate
You can buy 1 pack for £16, 5 packs for £70 or 10 packs for
£120 and all prices include postage!
Well, last month's Call Sign regarding fixed
prices certainly caused a stir! Personally I have
You can order by phone on
mixed feelings about them, maybe it's a case
01246 856 153 or 07737 956 298
of a little too late as recovery looks closer
You can order via post to: Chris Hayball, Grove Bungalow,
rather than further away and with the amount
Mansfield Rd, Heath, Derbyshire, S44 5SF
of roadworks in town, is now the right time? I
Or by visiting www.powerpillonline.com
recently did a FP of £22 from Redcliffe
Pay via PayPal ziggystardust1000@hotmail.com (Enter promo code DAC 10)
Gardens SW10 to Aldermanbury. The meter
price was £41 but luckily for me the passenger
