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Call Sign July 2011
If you have ever made a function, beit a wed-
The strangest competition in Call Sign History???
ding, engagement, barmitzvah, masonic or
charity event, perhaps even a dinner party in
WIN A TOASTMASTER
your own home or indeed any other event
where a Toastmaster would be a welcome
addition, then you will be aware that the men
FOR YOUR FUNCTION!
in red jackets can be another hefty expense in
a long list.
Captions must be in by July 15
If you have no thoughts of making any
and the best one will win the
function in the next few years and these
services of a Toastmaster at
things are sometimes planned for up to two
their function
years in advance - then sadly this competition
is not for you. But if sometime between now
Toastmaster Keith Reading and
and 2013 you intend making a celebration of
DaC Chairman Brian Rice. The first
any kind where a Toastmaster is needed, then
prize will go to the person who
this Call Sign competition could cut your
sends in the best caption. All
costs by several hundred pounds and leave
entries must be in by midday on
you with one less thing to worry about as your
Friday July 15. Entries received
big day looms.
after this date will not count.
Dial-a-Cab driver Keith Reading (W76) is
now a fully experienced Toastmaster and
All entries will receive a £25 dis-
came up with the idea of offering his ser-
count voucher (valid until 2013) to be
vices to one lucky driver or member of
used at a function as previously
staff who is making a function. Why
described. Members (and staff) may
would anyone offer their services for
also use this voucher in conjunction
nothing, you may ask?
with the existing 10% discount offer as
"I am very grateful for all the helpful
stated in the regular Call Sign ad.
Golf club captain's dinner dance
publicity that Call Sign gave me when I
Please include your name / callsign, email
Wedding anniversary or other family
first started several years ago. Now as a
address (if available), telephone number
celebration
fully qualified Fellow of the Guild of
(mobile or land line) and also the date of your
Private or family dinner party
Professional Toastmasters, this is my way
function and location venue.
A charity event that a member may be
of repaying it."
involved with
Keith Reading is a Fellow of the Guild of
HOW WILL IT WORK?
Bar / Batmitzvah
Professional Toastmasters and is both confident
The competition is open to all DaC drivers,
1st prize will be the exclusive service of Keith
and qualified to assist you in the planning and
staff, Board members, security staff and all
Reading as your Toastmaster at any of the fol-
running of your event. He has the experience
lowing functions in which the winner (or his / persons who work within DaC House
and sensitivity to provide the correct level of
except, sadly, the Editor!
her family) may be involved:-
attentive service whatever the occasion.
The offer is limited to London and the
Wedding reception (any religion, culture or
Knowing that your function or event will be
Home Counties for functions held before the
type)
looked after by your Toastmaster will allow
Civil wedding reception or civil partnership end of 2013. Dates are subject to availability.
you, as host, to give your full attention to your
There is NO cash alternative.
reception
family, friends and guests and more impor-
Renewal of vows
HOW TO ENTER...
tantly, enjoy the occasion, stress free.
Masonic ladies festival - Rotary or Round
Take a look at the photo featuring
The Editor's decision is final...
Table
Phil Warren
A tribute
the personal and the scholarly. On the one hand he
Since news of the death of taxi historian and former
ODRTS driver Phil Warren, Call Sign has had a
was thoroughly steeped in the trade, being not only
a veteran cab driver himself but also the third gener-
number calls from taxi drivers asking about his
ation in a family of cab drivers.
books and their availability. However, as an example
On the other hand, he had a deep interest in
of Phil's deserved fame, we are printing this tribute
London cab history. In pursuit of this interest, he
from Norman Beattie who lives in Canada and
who has never met Phil...
brought to bear some formidable abilities; a scientif-
ic curiosity, an analytical mind and great skill as a
"I recently heard of the sad news of Philip
researcher.
Warren's death. I have been a fan of Mr Warren
He was also a captivating writer with a knack for
since reading his History of the London Cab Trade
pulling a good story out of dull facts. Whether he
(Taxi Trade Publications, 1995). As a cab historian he
was one of a kind.
was dissecting evidence ferreted out of an ancient
The literature of cab history falls into two main categories. One
document or describing events that he himself had lived through, Mr
category is made up of personal memoirs in which cab drivers set
Warren conveyed his delight in discovery and a passion for his cho-
sen line of work.
down their day to day experiences and their perspective on the
Mr Warren's family and friends will feel the deep personal loss
world as seen from behind the wheel. An early example is Herbert
Hodge's Cab, Sir? (1939).
that we all feel at the death of a loved one. In Philip Warren's case,
The other category comprises formal histories of the trade in gen-
the ripples of loss extend to people who, like me, never even met
eral or of some particular aspect of it. These are usually written by
him.
people outside the trade. Examples are the books on London cabs
Philip Warren had a lot more to tell us about the London cab
trade. But while we mourn Mr Warren and the books he might have
written by the automotive historian G.N. Georgano.
written, we must also be thankful for what he has left us."
Philip Warren was unique in his ability to bridge the gap between
