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JULY 1977.  Len Harbour is removed as board member due to a complaint. The BoM plus two subscribers witnessed and took part. Micky Gee, E51 co-opted on to the BoM. Micky   thanks Phil Messias for the groundwork. Treasurer writes in news & views about insurance for radio sets. Also gives thumbs-up forecast for financial year. Extra mobile fittings going well. C84 reports in news & views on complaints as Phil Messias needs more time to recuperate. Secretary asks for greater care with deliveries, blow credits in early, channels open longer. Auditor invades the office. Martin Gellman’s first report from J.T.C. We came in at the deep end with a fare application. Maureen joins news & views staff, which grows with every publication.

 AUGUST 1977.   Future planning committee set up. Paris V.I could suit us. Non-paid up members will not get airtime at A.G.M. Aubrey Siteman basks in the sun. Phil Messias makes good progress and takes holiday he won in a raffle (he deserves a little luck).  S.E.X sees his daughter wed to a Frenchman. Mon dieu! Credit work, poor coverage (John Saunders), Chas Rubin disgusted with drivers who won’t cover staff run home service. High runs-ins and poor coverage gets their wrath. Despatcher’s problems BoM very worried.

 SEPTEMBER 1977.  News & views appeals to despatchers to come forward. Adverts go out to member’s families. J.T.C look to radio for possible future demo arrangements. Paris V.I arrives at Shirland Road. Comparison test with Regicord system in progress. Purge on slow payers is biting says treasurer. Jack Taylor wants better coverage. Phil Messias returns. Phil thanks Phil for looking after complaints! Carl standing A45 wins taxi-driver of the year award, Dave Clegg wins concord D’Elegance for the second year. Fantastic achievement, lad’s great day for ODRTS.

 OCTOBER 1977.  Discontent in the trade as fare increase has not been resolved. BoM put out statement as to why they gave only morale support for drive in. Annual audit is good but a bigger income is required for the future. Dinner and ball is sell out. Martin Gellman visits Carbodies to ensure radio has a place in the new F X 5. No complaints for Phil Messias but still kept busy with drivers. Controversial letter news & views brings a flood of comments. Gerry Craig C19 joins news &views staff which is doing better than the nationals. John Benardout marries: super wedding. BoM look forward to meeting all subscribers at the AGM.

 That’s the year in brief…………..time flies!

 “OH WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS, IT REALLY WAS A NIGHT…”

I’ve just come from the Europa Hotel. My hand aches and I feel like I’m walking on air. At 1.30am everyone in sight pumped my hand, thanking me for such a wonderful night. I had little to do with the success of the evening but that didn’t matter, it was a natural reaction of people expressing joy, happy guests who had never been to our D&B before said that it was the best night out they have had. Those have been before said it was the bestest D&B ever.

Don’t ask me how it is done; it’s a secret that only Jack Taylor knows. His knowledge of knowing what people want at the right time is unique. Peter Fennymore, our chairman, gave a superb speech which put us all in a relaxed and pleasant frame of mind. June, his wife together with all the board members wives, received thanks form Peter for assisting in making the D&B go off so well. Rounded off the evening by our drivers getting the guests home, safe and sound! To all those guests I did not get a chance to shake hands with, thank you for making a memorable night for my wife and myself.

NOT QUITE AFTER THE LORD’S MAYORS SHOW

Can you imagine the sight? The Lord Mayor’s coach in all its splendour closely followed in formation by two taxis driven by Carl standing A45 and Dave Clegg A52, winners of the Taxi Driver of the year awards and concord D’Elegance. What a thrill it must have been for those two worthy winners to round their success off by having the honour of joining the procession in such a prominent position.

After the procession they both (short and the tall) gave interviews to radio & T.V. The B.O.M., members the whole cab trade salute you Carl and Dave. We all wish you every happiness in your winning year and success in future competitions. Gents does this whet

your appetite for the next Taxi Driver of the Year Awards?