8TH ANNUAL LIVERYMEN’S DINNER HELD AT CUTLERS’ HALL
On 24th November 2011, The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers held their 8th annual Liverymen’s Dinner. Liverymen and their guests attended a champagne reception before the dinner itself, which took place at the Cutlers’ Hall in Warwick Lane. This magnificent Hall has a finely carved terracotta frieze on the outside showing cutlers at work. Inside there are many artefacts relating to the trade which diners had the opportunity to look at before entering the reception. During the Court Meeting which took place before the dinner, John Sheen was admitted as a Court Assistant. John retired from his role as WCHCD Beadle last year and was subsequently invited to join the Court of Assistants.
Prior to the reception, some important admissions and presentations were made. Firstly, six Freemen of The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers were clothed in the livery and one Honorary Freeman was also clothed. This was Philip Scott, one of the police officers who is involved in the annual Magical Taxi Tour and a keen supporter of the WCHCD. The Freemen clothed were James Black, Anthony Collins, Sandra Cox, Dennis Heavin, Garry Holman and Steven Tyson. Three new Freemen were also admitted to the Company, namely Richard Chamberlain, Gurinder Dhillon and Kelati Measho.
At the dinner one of the WCHCD Awards was made. These Awards are made in special circumstances to acknowledge an act of bravery, The Hitch Award, or the Friend of the Cab Trade Award. This year, the Friend of the Cab Trade Award was made to Mr Piero Marzzi. The Master said: “This award is being presented to someone many of you will know if you frequent any of the Piccolo Cafe Bars. Piero has given continued support for our trade over the last 35 years, not only for his first class hospitality and refreshments but for successful campaigning for rest ranks outside two of his premises, Queen Victoria Street and Gresham Street.” Mr Marzzi was delighted to accept the Award.
Then came an introduction to the guest speaker.  The Master
told diners: “Our guest speaker, Adrian Leppard, holds the office of Commissioner of Police for the City of London. His career started with the Surrey Police in 1984 and he has spent the majority of his service as a detective, nvestigating a range of criminality through the ranks of Detective Sergeant to Detective Superintendent with specialist expertise in Hostage negotiation and covert operations. After completing a Master’s degree in Business and Administration at City University in 2000 he was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable of Kent Police and was responsible for Major Crime, Special Branch and Counter Terrorism. This led to being appointed Deputy Chief Constable in 2007. Since taking up his post as Commissioner of Police for the City of London in January 2011 Adrian now heads up the countries lead force in economic crime, in addition to Policing the Square Mile.” Mr Leppard gave an interesting speech which showed he has an understanding of the cab trade and the demands made on it. He also spoke to several Freemen and Liverymen after the dinner about the challenges faced by the officers serving the City of London with regard to touting and illegal minicabs. Adrian Leppard also spoke of supporting the trade in regard to the using of the Olympic lanes.
Membership of the WCHCD is very diverse; all members have one thing in common. They wish to promote the world famous taxi trade as the best in the world. The social events such as dinners are a good way of talking to their colleagues within the trade. Many of the drivers attending this event took part in this year’s Magical Taxi Tour. Charity and education are important roles within the Livery Companies of the City and the WCHCD is held in high esteem throughout the City.
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