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Flying figures! It’s amazing how time just flies. It’s already a year since the airline industry was in turmoil with flights being grounded because of the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland. I knew that to be the case because I was comparing the current year’s figures with those of last year and there was a sudden turnover drop in April due to the ash cloud. However, when we think about the situation, we all know how much work we have lost over the years that went back and forth to London’s Airports. That same work that now uses another mode of transport to the same airports. Consequently, it got me thinking that although we have lost much of that work going to and from airports, they still generate an enormous amount of work for the taxi industry. We only really become aware of the situation when aircraft are grounded and passengers are not travelling, so our work declines even further. Yet we are not being used to the same extent as in the past when passengers are actually travelling to and from the airports! What I find particularly strange is that our account work fell last April, yet as I’ve just said, in the main account clients do not use taxis for their trips to the airports to the same extent as they did in the past. Yet closed airports and grounded aircraft do have a detrimental knock-on effect to our business. Yes, it is strange… Also, talking of time flying, we have been in our new - or now not so new - building for four years this month – amazing! Returning to my original point of comparing last year’s figures, you will be pleased to know that turnover is up this year on last by just over £1.3m, which represents an increase of 8%. In reality, that is a fairly modest increase but at least it is moving in the right direction - up as opposed to down. Let’s hope it continues in that direction during these uncertain times. Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers and DaC |
 Company representing the Taxi industry. It is a very worthwhile organisation that generates much respect for our trade. It also has a charitable side, part of which is the annual taxi trip to the Disney resort in Paris. Currently one of our members, Jim Rainbird (T25), is Master of the company (perhaps I should call him James) and I am the Lower Warden. This organisation is open to all within our industry or indeed anyone whose income is derived from the taxi industry. If any of you are thinking of becoming a member, even leading up to becoming a Freeman which has the added perk of allowing you to drive your sheep over London Bridge without paying a toll, then you should seriously consider joining. From being a Freeman, you can move on to being a Liveryman. I believe I am correct in saying that once you become a Liveryman, you are then in a position to move on to being the Lord Mayor of London. If that is not correct, then I am sure another of our members Phil Davis (F10), a past Master of the Company, will soon correct me. In other words, to become Lord Mayor you must be a Liverymen and wouldn’t it be wonderful to see that position being held by someone from our industry? The Company have dinners every three months in various Livery Company halls and you get to meet different types of interesting people from different walks of life. At one dinner I was seated next to the founder - now retired - of the Kwik Fit organisation whilst at the next dinner, I was seated at the side of an optician from Cheshire. One of our Liverymen is Graham Woodhouse and he runs a recognised guiding course |
for the Company, one that I am
reliably informed is excellent. I believe the next course starts in
September. If you are interested, just contact WCHCD Clerk Mary Whitworth,
on 01494 765 922 or email her at
wchcd@tiscali.co.uk. Dial-a-Cab are prepared to sponsor any of our members who are interested in attending the course. Obviously there will be a limited number of places and it will be on a first come first served basis. You will be informed through Call Sign about arrangements closer to the time. The course costs £260 and what we intend doing is that our DaC member will pay for the course and when he/she has completed it, they will be reimbursed by Dial-a-Cab via their subscription. This is not only good for our members that complete the course, it will also be good for Dial-a-Cab in having more recognised guides as members of the Society. Mafia? Brian Rice |
