by News Desk | Sep 24, 2015 | London News
This year’s Children’s Magical Taxi Tour departed from Canary Wharf on 18th September 2015. The countdown ribbon cutting took place after the Big Breakfast Send Off inside the East Wintergarden; this event marks the beginning of the trip and is attended each year attended by a number of the trip’s sponsors and dignitaries.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Phil Davis, is extremely grateful to everyone who helps in making the trip possible, from the larger corporate sponsors all the way through to those making donations through JustGiving via the website. The Marriot Hotel Canary Wharf provided everyone with packed lunches and the London Taxi Company donated the spending money for the children. Ampersand sponsored the breakfast itself.
This year the ribbon was cut by the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens Alderman Sir David Howard and the Master of The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers, Colin Evans, and then the convoy of almost 100 taxis, around 400 people set off on the trip, taking children with life limiting illnesses on this magical journey.
The long line of taxis was escorted by City of London Police and the Gendarmerie Nationale, as well as support vehicles, including the AA, medical teams from the hospitals where the children are patients and London Ambulance Service. Heading off down to Dover, the magical journey had begun. Boarding a P&O ferry to Calais was quick and easy and the ferry trips are donated kindly by P&O. The car deck full of London taxis is quite a surprising sight to fellow travellers on the ferry.
Once in Calais, the convoy reassembles and the journey down towards Paris and the Disneyland resort commences. A fuel stop at the Aire De Repos Assevillers Ouest services gave the opportunity for a taste of the fun to come at Disneyland. As the taxis arrived, a band was playing and characters were on hand to greet the children. With refreshments all laid out ready in welcome, face painting opportunities – not to mention the chance to enjoy some candy floss, everyone was refreshed and ready for the remainder of the journey.
In recognition of the Award made to the service area for their warm welcome each year, the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers had made an Award last year to the staff at the service area and a short speech was made by Kevin Deneux and Mickael Bruder welcoming everyone once again. The weather on the journey through France was punctuated by some very heavy rain and so it was a welcome sight when the Hotel Cheyenne car park was finally reached a little later than usual. Everyone checked in to their hotel room and then headed of the Chuck Wagon for an evening meal. Then it was time for sleep before a busy day in the Disneyland Park and the Studios.
On Saturday morning the children ensured their carers and taxi driver hosts were up bright and early ready to make the most of the day in the resort. Once in the Park the children have fast track passes to ensure they do not have wait in long queues for the rides and experiences.
Walking round the park and seeing the excitement and delight on the faces of the children it is clear to see how worthwhile this trip is for them. It is a wonderful day away from the rigours of their treatments in the magical environment that Disneyland provokes. As well as a chance for the taxis to take a rest in the car park of the hotel being admired by the guests who wonder quite why so many London taxis are parked in there!
Following the day in the park, there is a Gala Dinner where the guests are joined by some very famous characters; Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto The Chipmunks, Donald and Daisy Duck to name just some. These characters were kept busy all evening signing autographs and posing for photos with the children before joining in the disco dancing. Not too many people can say they have been dancing with Mickey Mouse and his pals at a Saturday night disco.
The following morning saw the convoy regroup and head off back to Calais. There was a fuel stop on the return journey at Assevillers, somewhat quieter than the outgoing visit, but thanks to some lovely sunshine the children were enjoying their packed lunches out on the grassed rest areas. Soon the convoy was back in Calais where the ferry was waiting for them to board. A calm crossing soon saw the ferry docking in Dover where everyone said their goodbyes and headed off in different directions taking the children back to their hospitals and homes.
This was the 22nd annual trip that had been organised by the WCHCD; it is a testament to the kindness of the drivers and all the support services and their generosity in giving their time and vehicles freely. Throughout the trip people were telling the committee what a great time they were having which is what makes all the hard work preparing for the trip and fund raising so worthwhile.
One of the drivers had set up a Facebook page a few years ago for the trip and regular images and updates were published throughout the weekend. This has proved very popular and following the trip many of the parents and carers had commented on how much the children had enjoyed the trip.
The power of social media meant many people were able to see the regular updates as they happened in the resort.
by News Desk | Sep 23, 2015 | London News
“Violence is totally unacceptable” said United Cabbies Group (Source: Getty)
A cabbies group has distanced itself from a man who was arrested yesterday following an attack on a security guard at City Hall last week and urged “ideological” protesters to stay away from future rallies.
The man, said by police to be 65 years old, was arrested on suspicion of assault in Essex yesterday. He was taken to an east London station and released on bail for a date in early November. Separately a 46-year-old man was interviewed under caution. During such situations, bail bondsman Ridgeway VA is necessary!
The man identified by police last week (Source: Met Police)
Police are still appealing for information to identify four other men in connection with the same incident, in which a security guard was knocked unconscious after a number of protesters – calling for greater regulation around private car hire, particularly Uber – stormed City Hall during Mayor’s Question Time with Boris Johnson last week.
The United Cabbies Group – the second biggest trade organisation for London’s Hackney Carriage Drivers – today issued a statement saying the man who had been arrested was “not a taxi driver” and urged “ideological protest groups” to stay away from future demonstrations.
A spokesman for the UCG said: “Violence is totally unacceptable. Taxi drivers are subject to in-depth criminal background checks before even being handed a badge. Contrary to some media reports, the man arrested last Wednesday is not a licensed taxi driver. It appears he had simply tagged along.
“We respectfully ask that members of ideological protest groups keep away from our future demonstrations.”
The UCG said it was “working closely with the Metropolitan Police to safeguard public safety at its future protests”.
Tomorrow’s protest will take place from 5pm to 6:30pm. The demonstration will be under the supervision of the City of London police.
Source: City AM
by News Desk | Sep 23, 2015 | London News
A police officer has been struck off after he was arrested for offering members of the public lifts while acting as a minicab driver.
MSC (Metropolitan Special Constable) Mohammed Hussain, who worked for Redbridge Police, was later cautioned for touting for hire by a private hire vehicle before he was dismissed at a police misconduct hearing on Thursday.
The hearing comes following an incident on March 29.
In a notice of outcome statement published on Metropolitan Police’s website, assistant commissioner Martin Hewitt said: “The officer faced allegations that his conduct amounted to a breach of the Professional Behaviour in respect of Discreditable Conduct.
“The chair considered all of the evidence provided by the appropriate authority (Metropolitan Police Service) and the officer’s written response to the allegation.
“The allegation of discreditable conduct was found to be proven as gross misconduct.
“The most appropriate outcome in these circumstances was to dismiss the officer.”
by News Desk | Sep 22, 2015 | London News
Update On Thursdays Demonstration 5pm – 6:30pm At The Bank Junction
@UCGcampaigns
The purpose of this account is to inform the trade of UCG demo’s.
First Demo, Thursday 24th September 5pm-6:30
After today’s heated negotiations, the Met have now agreed to a 90 min protest, to be held between 5 and 6:30 (Rush Hour). The alternative would have been an injunction banning our action.
An injunction could have seen a ban on all further UCG protests and would leave the trade with no org prepared to call direct action in future.
The UCG Chairman Len Martin, along with our campaigns manager Trevor Merralls, have also be called to attend New Scotland Yard next week, to meet with senior Met officers.
To those who say “Demos” don’t work, only “talking” does…..talks only work if TFL have a reason to listen. Our action will give them a reason.
Please be aware that the police were adamant on only allowing us an hour, but after extensive negotiation, our team have managed to get this extended to 90 minutes.
This was the best we could possibly do, but please remember it will be rush hour too!
We have an hour and a half and if we get the numbers, no one in the City will be moving, it could be total lockdown.
We have 5 more demo’s planned, and so we will have future dialogue with the police to look forward to. Please be aware the establishment want to stop us from holding these protests.
The onus is on us in the trade to make this demo massive, if we get the numbers there will be no stopping us.
The UCG Share all of your frustrations believe me, but we have to act in accordance with the Law.
by News Desk | Sep 22, 2015 | London News
News was released yesterday on the BBC London news, that the current number of Private Hire driver licenses now stand at an all time high of 87,734. We were also informed that by Friday, this number will have risen by 650 with another 2000 in the pipeline, waiting to be processed.
At yesterday’s compliance meeting, trade representatives were told that TfL were unaware of an increase in road traffic accidents relating to Private Hire drivers. The LTDA put out a statement last night regarding this issue, saying that drivers who have evidence of PHVs involved in RTAs should use the social media app Twitter and send details to @TfLTPH.
TfL informed trade reps that they are waiting for a decision on Addison Lee’s unauthorised Rugby World Cup raps.
“Waiting for a decision”…. from whom? (you may well ask).
Is it not TfL who are supposed to enforce PHV regulation.
Is this more bias from TPH in favour of PH or just delaying tactics till after the Rugby World Cup finishes?
TfL’s compliance said they were unsure about arrangements for the 500 pre-booked private hire cars that would be picking up from outside Old Billingsgate, at the Shine charity walk this weekend. The LTDA’s Richard Masset has requested details be sent to Taxi House as soon as possible. It should be asked, why haven’t TPH already checked the pre-bookings that should be on record?
There was some good news however, concerning the Forge rank on Cornhill.
It’s been confirmed that in the wake of the recent “hits” made by members of the Mayfair Mob, the Corporation of the City of London, has agreed to sign off an extension to the existing rank, increasing capacity from two spaces to four.
When Helen Chapman and Peter Blake were asked if (in their opinion) Uber were instant hail or pre-booked, both answered pre-booked. When informed that Uber state quite clearly they can’t be pre-booked, Helen Chapman said “it doesn’t matter what Uber say’s”
Biggest downer of the meeting came when TfL were asked if they were going to comply with the Mayor’s request for the immediate issue of temporary licenses to help the 37,000 drivers caught up in the DBS backlog. TfL replied that temporary licensing was not going to happen and that they intend to work on solving the problem.
So no change is expected there.
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