THE HISTORY OF THE CABMAN'S SHELTER.

The Cabmen's Shelter Fund was established in 1875 to run huts for the drivers of Hansom  and later Hackney Carriages, to shelter from inclement weather and keep them out of the pub.

Back in the nineteenth century by law, cab drivers could not leave a cab stand (rank) while their cab was parked there. This made it very difficult for them to obtain a hot meal and was unpleasant in bad weather.

If they drove to an ale-house or pub to buy food, they would also be tempted to drink alcohol on the job.

The Earl of Shaftesbury and other worthies therefore took it upon themselves to set up a charity to construct and run shelters at major cab stands, mainly to keep the drivers out of the taverns.

These shelters -small green huts- were not allowed to be larger than a horse and cart, as they stood on the public highway. 

Between 1875 and 1914, 61 of these establishments were built around London, the first being on Acacia Road, St John's Wood. 

Most were staffed by an attendant who sold food and (non-alcoholic) drink to the cabbies.  The huts had a small kitchen in which the attendant could cook food that he provided and also food bought in by the cabbies themselves. 

The attendant was not paid a wage, but was expected to make an income from the food sales plus tips from the drivers.

The shelters had seats and tables with books and newspapers, most of them donated by the publishers or other benefactors. 

Most shelters seated about ten drivers. Gambling, drinking and swearing were strictly forbidden.

Today only 11 still remain with one (Hanover Square) enclosed in the building of the CrossRail project. 

Cab shelters today. Warwick Ave, Russell Square, Wellington Place St John's Wood, Kensington Road (All Nations Shelter).

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Blast From The Past : The Golden Days Of The W9 Night Shelter... By Jim Thomas.

Back in the late 80's early 90's, every night in the Warwick Avenue Shelter, was magic. The place was alive and full of characters.

Doing the knowledge was just the beginning, you learned more about the job from your colleagues in the shelters than any blue book.

We were  London Taxi drivers, icons, respected by the public and everything was possible.

For the late night drivers in the Warwick Avenue shelter, night after night, was always the greatest of all times. Probably down to the young female staff members, who showed the drivers what hospitality was all about. 

Most of the long standing friendships I've enjoyed in this trade, stem from the many hours spent in fantastic company in W9.

We had amazing sing along parties ....who could ever forget the late big Steve's rendition of 'I lost my tart in Fat Sam's disco'... karaoke nights, heated debates mixed with the occasional visit from a celebrity such as Pat "Bomber" Roach, Paul McGann (before he became the doctor), Dennis "Minder" Waterman, Kenny 'Faces' Jones, Boy George's drummer John Moss, Kiki Dee and even Mad Frankie Fraser, all regulars at the window.

Many actors living in Maida Vale would stop at the window and get a sandwich on their way home from the theatre. 

We'd sit there till just before 3am and then file over to the Victoria Casino which used to burst around 3. 

A maths teacher we nick-named Clive Sinclaire, regular rider to Richmond who swore he had an unbeatable system, they all thought they had a system. Some nights you'd see a saddened familiar face and hear, "done me dough tonight, will you take me and I'll pay you tomorrow"....and we did.

Another regular rider was Great Train Robber Gordon Goody. He used to go to East Dulwich. 

I remember saying to him once, "which way do you prefer to go Mr Goody?"

He came back menacingly "You can go whatever way you want son, but you're only get 11 quid". 

He then sat back and read his paper.

The original hit squad was born and ran from Warwick Ave shelter. We had regular hits on the Hombres, the Talk of the town, Sports Cafe, Tiger Tiger, OnAnon and Swallow Street. 

We even had a mechanic (Norman) who used to do running repairs in the middle of the road outside. There were a few complaints from local residents (mainly from the vicarage on the corner) but most were happy to have us there, as burglaries in the area were rare.

It was a sad day when we got the news that the shelter had to close at night,  but to our surprise, along came the original Royal Oak Cab Cafe', waitress service, pool tables and a 24 hour shop, fuel pumps and a hand cab wash, the fun was to continue.

There are still 11 Cab Shelters scattered around central London but most are in danger of disappearing.

       Johnny Anderson was Mr Royal Oak.

I nick-named the original Royal Oak "The Anderson Shelter" and got the idea for my first ever blog after talking to John about promoting the trade on Twitter. 

Unfortunately, both the Royal Oak and the new Royal Oak are now sadly gone and the only 24 hour dedicated Cabbie eateries and rest stops are the Kings Cross Taxi Centre -in Bookers car park, Camley Street- and Great Southwark Street. 

It will be a shame to see our historical cab shelters disappear, but drivers seem to prefer the chains of coffee shops and fast food restaurants, so it's possible, they will eventually go. 

Remember, when the go, they go for good!

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Part 4 ? They're about to Call Time at the Last Chance Saloon.... By Dave Davies

No charges against Tory MPs over election spending

No criminal charges are to be brought against Conservative MPs or officials in relation to allegations of spending irregularities in the 2015 general election campaign, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

One file, relating to the victorious Tory candidate in Thanet South, Craig Mackinlay, remains under consideration.

Craig Mackinlay still remains under consideration

But the CPS cautioned that this should not be taken as an indication of whether charges will be brought in this case, which was referred more recently than the others.

The CPS head of special crime Nick Vamos said that prosecutors considered files from 14 police forces, but determined that – while spending returns may have been inaccurate – there was insufficient evidence to prove that any candidate or agent was dishonest.

Conservative Party chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin said: “These were politically motivated and unfounded complaints that have wasted police time. We are glad that this matter is finally resolved.”

The Conservative candidate for Lincoln, Karl McCartney, who was interviewed as part of the investigation, said: “This whole saga amounts to no more than a politically-motivated witch-hunt.

“It is clear that those who lead the Electoral Commission who followed and allowed this action to take place are politically-motivated and biased – actions that have rendered this organisation wholly unfit-for-purpose.”

Police investigations into the 2015 Tory campaign centred on allegations highlighted by Channel 4 News and the Daily Mirror that expenses relating to busloads of Conservative activists sent to key seats were reported as part of national spending rather than falling within the lower constituency limits.

In March, the Conservative Party was fined a record £70,000 by the Electoral Commission for “numerous failures” in reporting its expenses for the 2015 General Election, and three by-elections in 2014.

Answering questions after a speech in Leeds, Mr Corbyn said he was “interested and surprised” by the CPS decision, but would have to look at the details of it.

“Quite clearly the Electoral Commission is independent, the Crown Prosecution Service is independent, the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent, they have to make a judgment on it,” said the Labour leader.

“But our election laws must be enforced and must be adhered to, there are strict spending limits for a reason, so that money can’t buy power, only votes in the ballot box should be able to get power.”

Mr Farron said: “The observation I would make of the Conservative Party is it appears to have stayed the right side of the law by the letter of it, but has driven a battle bus and horses right the way through the spirit of it. It’s a shame, in one sense, it would appear there is a cloud hanging over British politics.”

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Five Teenagers Jailed Over Spate Of Terrifying Attacks On Taxi An Private Hire Drivers In Redbridge.

(L-R) Jeremy Mbwese, 19, Jay Koabo, 18, Jayden Atkins, 18, and Gavneet Johal, 18, were jailed for conspiracy to rob. (Credit: Met Police)

Terrified Taxi and Private Hire drivers in Redbridge had knives held to their throats whilst their property and cash was stolen during a series of horrifying attacks.

Drivers across the borough and in Havering were left terrified by the 22 incidents which saw two women set up the attacks under fake bookings organised by them.

Upon arriving at the location, they were ambushed by one of the men jailed today and subjected to “to severe acts of violence and intimidation” before being forced to hand over cash and jewellery.

In total, the teens got away with approximately £2,000 in cash and property including mobile phones, sat navs, car keys and a wedding ring from a victim’s finger.

Most of the drivers were physically assaulted with one receiving a knife wound to the face.

The Recorder broke the story in September 2015, when several drivers told this paper they were quitting their jobs over the attacks for fear of their lives.

Five teenagers were sentenced and jailed for a total of 29 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, including two from the borough.

A 17-year-old teenage boy from the Seven Kings area pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and was jailed for six years.

Gavneet Johal, 18, of Oakwood Gardens, Seven Kings, was also jailed for three-and-a-half year, for her part in setting up the attacks.

Jayden Atkins, 18, of Estuary Close, Barking, received five-and-a-half years’ imprisonment and Jay Koabo, of Crescent Road, Dagenham, was jailed for eight years.

Jeremy Mbwese, 19 of Cairo Road, Walthamstow, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and was jailed for six years.

Officers at Ilford police station launched Operation Taxa to deal with the spate of robberies between August 3 and September 29 in 2015.

Following an extensive investigation by Ilford CID, officers raided homes across four London boroughs and arrested the suspects.

Evidence including mobile phones, sat navs and a photograph of the wedding ring was recovered - unfortunately the ring itself has never been found.

Det Cons Jon Mercer, the investigating officer from Ilford Crime Investigating Department, said the teenagers had never shown any remorse for their calculated attacks. 

He said: “The youths responsible went to great effort planning the robberies and carefully selecting their intended victims. 

“The victims were, by virtue of their own livelihood, extremely vulnerable and placed in situations that can best be described as terrifying. 

“Lone drivers were subjected to gratuitous physical assaults whilst having a large knife held to their necks during times of darkness and in secluded areas.

“Not only did the victims lose personal items of property and cash, the psychological damage they suffered is irreparable.

“The defendants have shown no remorse and the jail term received by each not only demonstrates the gravity of their crime, but is also a reflection on their attitude towards these offences against hard-working members of the community.”

Source : Ilford Recorder 

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Former TfL manager caught with child pornography walks free from court

A former Transport for London manager has walked free from court, despite being caught with pornographic videos featuring children as young as five.

Nino Amoroso's Facebook profile describes him as a Learning and Development Manager for Transport for London, it also includes photos of him posing with celebrities.

Police raided Amoroso's home last year in east London after intelligence showed he was downloading indecent images of children, according to Court News UK.

When they arrived, Amoroso showed police a hard drive which contained almost 300 pornographic films which involved young children, as he admitted he knew why the police we visiting.

The prosecution said he used the "material for sexual gratification," but he denied sharing the material or making it.

Defending Amoroso, Clayton Bridge said the man used the pornography as a means of escape from his unhappy marriage and health concerns.

The former transport boss admitted to three counts of possessing indecent images of children.

The man was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Amoroso now has to pay a surcharge of £140 and take part in a 40-day rehabilitation programme.

Nino Amoroso's Facebook and LinkedIn profiles and photos with celebrities have now been removed completely 

Source :  http://talkradio.co.uk

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Why Didn't The Mail Print The Whole Story ? ... Part 3, Seek And Ye Will Find.

This is why the mail exposed Cameron and Osborn?

There's an old saying "Seek And Ye Will Find".

David Cameron asked Daily Mail owner to sack Paul Dacre over Brexit | Politics | The Guardian

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But don't take our word for it... click on the link above and read the story for yourself in the Guardian. 

Former prime minister David Cameron pressed Lord Rothermere to ‘rein in’ editor Paul Dacre before EU referendum.

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