LTDFUC AND THE MAD HATTERS CHRISTMAS
PARTY
On an horrendous day weather-wise with 70mph gusts of
wind blowing the heavy rain onto the cab and coach windows, nothing could stop the smiles
of 600 young, happy faces that the London Taxi Drivers Fund for Underprivileged Children
in conjunction with the Grosvenor House were once again taking to the Mad Hatter’s
Tea Party at the hotel’s Great Room. So many handicapped and underprivileged children
were there - both from London and the suburbs - that coaches were used in addition to the
usual fleet of cabs.
Once inside, the kids tucked in to
the usual great spread of sandwiches, cakes and general nosh while having a wonderful time
with the disco and laser light shows.
Again, the Funds’ army of helpers including
staff from the hotel, put so much energy and sheer vibrancy into the afternoon that it
could have been nothing but a success and indeed, there wasn’t one child who looked
as though he or she had had anything but a great time. On the way out, the kids were given
goody bags - each valued at about £15. So thanks to everyone involved for making it
another day to remember.
Incidentally, if you would like
to help the Fund to transport children to Brighton on Tuesday 16th June for
their 70th anniversary outing, please contact Barry Levene on: 0181 550
8106.
CONGRATULATIONS
Many of you that have been around for more than a few
years will remember the beautiful Janine Gellman. She was PA to Kenny Burns BOM and left
several years ago after marrying Phil and producing off-spring!
Janine and Phil have now
‘collaborated’ in producing another son (Scott Alexander) at their home in
Seattle (USA). What’s On would like to send the happy couple our best wishes and also
congratulate the equally happy grand-parents Martin and Passi Gellman. Martin, for those
with short memories, was the ODRTS Chairman for many years and is now a journeyman on the
circuit.
CALL SIGN COMPETITION WINNERS
The first and second prize winners in the Call Sign £500
short break holiday competition have now received the rewards for their toil. The winners
were the two drivers who managed to beat their credit coverage score |
from the previous TV competition by the
greatest amount, thus sneakily insuring that the same people almost certainly,
wouldn’t win again!
First placed Alan Drew (L33) has won a £500 four day break
for himself and his family in a luxury two bedroom chalet in the Lake District any time
this year. Every luxury known to man (including satellite telly!!) is laid on. Alan’s
position in the TV competition was 22nd.
The second prize of £100 was collected by Danny
Stone (F35). Danny made a huge improvement having come a rather lowly 1187th
last time! A TALE OF WOE FROM THE PCO FOR WANGLERS
Roy Ellis, the Officer-in-Charge at the Public Carriage
Office, has told Call sign that as of last Friday (January 30th), the Driving
Test Centre at Balls Pond Road will no longer be used for testing. As of last Monday (2nd
February), taxi driving tests will be conducted from the PCO at 15 Penton Street, N1.
If you are going there for a
driving test, please park your cab in the designated parking spaces in the PCO yard and
report to the Penton Street reception (NOT the Technical Reception). You will be directed
to the second floor waiting area. The change of test centre will not alter the nature of
the test except for reversing and manoeuvring which will be now carried out mainly on
public roads. You can then try out the PCO’s now-famous canteen!
NB…For those reading this on
the Internet or who have just landed from another planet, the expression
‘Wangler’ has no connection whatsoever with any rude word! It is the time-old
expression given to a prospective taxi driver who has virtually completed the Knowledge
and is learning how to drive a taxi - or Wangling…
WHAT’S NOT ON
What’s NOT on? Well we
aren’t for a start! Call Sign publishes eleven issues a year and the March issue will
be the one to drop out in ’98. So we will see you same time, same place in April.
And, as we won’t be here to remind you, don’t forget to put your clocks forward
at 0100 on Sunday March 29th, when we will see the return of British Summer
Time. Whoopee! |
