Call Sign October 2011
Page 17
On 8th September, Eddie Crossley was
As DaC's Jim Rainbird steps down and becomes a Past Master...
installed as Master of The Worshipful
Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers
EDDIE CROSSLEY
for the coming year. Eddie has been
involved in the cab trade for over 40 years
including time as a cab driver, which gives
him an insight into the trade and driver's
BECOMES NEW
needs. His family heritage can be traced
back over 150 years of involvement with
the hackney carriage trade. Today he is a
proprietor and runs the Richmond Road
WCHCD MASTER
Cab Centre along with his son Paul and
their team. The business has now been
trading for 75 years.
At the Installation ceremony prior to
the dinner, last year's Master Jim
Rainbird (T25) wished Eddie a good
year. He said his year had been memo-
rable and enjoyable. Becoming Master
of a Livery company is an honour that is
earned by Liverymen within the
Views on life as seen through the
eyes of David Kupler (Y74) at...
Kupkake's
Korner
Outgoing Master Jim Rainbird ponders with new Master Eddie Crossley
Just what is our licence for???
company. The Court of Assistants, who
Brian remains a member.
I found a cab rank
support the Master and the Wardens in
Freemen of the Company are always
but couldn't stop there,
their duties, are the organising body of
encouraged to take the Livery and so it
the company. There are opportunities
was when Eddie Crossley clothed
it was full of PH - all touts.
for members within the WCHCD to sit
Matthew Cheyne, Paul Collins,
There were no coppers
on various committees within the
Stephen Plumb and Eddie's own son
or traffic wardens,
Company, including Education, Magical
Paul Crossley.
in fact no law enforcement about!
Taxi Tour, Charity, PR, Awards and
Ceremonies concluded, the new
They have no regard
Membership. The WCHCD continues to
Master and his Wardens welcomed
for our status
thrive because of the commitment of its
guests on board the HQS Wellington for
only contempt for the law.
members, but new members are always
his Installation dinner. A reception was
How have we got here,
welcomed.
held on deck before eating. The princi-
why do they hate us,
Following the Installation of The
ple guest speaker on this occasion was
Master, the Upper Warden was installed.
George Zhao, deputy CEO at
what the hell is our licence for?
This year the position is held by former
Manganese Bronze. George told guests
If there's no money
DaC driver Brenda Bartlett, whilst that
how pleased he was with the progress
increase PH licence,
of Renter Warden is held by Graham
that has been made in the joint co-oper-
they are the ones breaking the law!
Woodhouse and Lower Warden is
ation with Geely to ensure the future of
Then hire attendants
ComCab's Malcolm Paice. Following
the iconic traditional black cab.
to ticket offenders,
the brief ceremonies, two new Freemen
Overseas operations and sales contin-
protect us or we'll be no more.
were welcomed to WCHCD - DaC driver
ued to grow and the factory making
Divyesh Ruparelia (V59) and M&O
parts in Shanghai now supplies the
We've done the Knowledge
General Manager Mark Brown. DaC
Coventry factory where the TX4 is built
proved our commitment
Chairman Brian Rice resigned his posi-
for the UK market.
showed we're from the right stuff.
tion as Lower Warden several months
We need some enforcing
ago after deciding that it would be
More info on joining the WCHCD is
and licence endorsing
on website www.hackneycarriagedriv-
unfair to the WCHCD if he had to share
I say to TfL - enough is enough!
erscompany.com or you can contact
Master duties in two years' time with
The Clerk, Mary Whitworth on
that of being DaC Chairman, as DaC
Kopyright Kupkake 2011
01494 765922...
would always have to take priority.
