TCO11 FOR WEB by Chris North

12 20

EE D

C O

THE ONLY MAGAZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE ON THE KNOWLEDGE

KNOWLEDGE COLLEGE Learn something new on your tea break

CHRIS ACKRILL

talks of his first Christmas card from Camden Council

UPDATE YOURSELF on news with Collins Maps

SEE

WI £10 N 0 HO W

ON PAG E

News from TfL on Pages 34 & 35

THE ONLY MAGAZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE ON THE KNOWLEDGE

It’s December already and that means Christmas time is upon us. The cold snap is a cabbies dream but roads can be covered in ice or rain. Our members are already tweeting before I wake from a night shift (that seems to be getting longer and longer) informing all our twitter followers that you guys have either no chance of getting out or to be careful whilst out on your bikes. You will soon learn that these cabs are no 4x4’s and slide all over the place!!!! I myself enjoyed the experience of being the other side of the glass after attending the annual ‘social’ where yours truly and a few other green badges went out on the ‘razzle’! Yes I dusted off the dancing shoes and mistletoe pants and headed into those fashionable haunts which I so often drop off to. Despite the temptation of heckling a driver from the other side of the glass with so many of the one liners I heard in the last 12 months or bartering with offers to the driver to get the fare knocked down (that’s covered in the x rated articles that don’t get printed ), I headed to the clubs to expand my knowledge of the night life scenes (or at least that’s what I told the misses!). Our contributors have definitely been in the Christmas spirit. Chris Ackril certainly made me chuckle reporting on another one of our nemesis’ - The Borough Councils. I guess they somehow have to pay for their Christmas Parties! Moggy has made some good points; her hubby is nearing the end of the knowledge so she does have a slight advantage of his mistakes, albeit they have learned the K by two different methods. I am sure her pointers will help you out over the festive period. And one of our lads got his rec whilst another scored at 28’s – big shout of congrats to those two lads! The point sheets have been received well, or at least for the K students . We have had some really kind comments not only about their clearness but also comments about the ‘cause’ whereby we will drop the price as the membership goes up. It is equally important for you K students to give the positive feedback to the guys in the office so they know you really do appreciate what they are doing for you all. We also have a good laugh when you guys send us in a funny image or comment as placed our News page. On top of the point sheets we’ve added our very own ‘stats sheets’, which includes a learning method my own CallOver partner designed and it served him and I well. He was juggling working life, family life (including responsibility of children) and the Knowledge all at once. Not everyone can do the Knowledge full time and this system helped him remember points he knew, set downs and turn arounds. He also had another way of learning the Blue Book whilst sitting at his office desk being paid by his employer (which I note a school is now selling something similar). Ask him nicely and he will probably dust it off and send it out to our members! Basically as you are always told, there is no right or wrong way of learning the knowledge. You have to find your own way and stay with it. The schools do a great job and offer various ways of learning – it’s up to you to sort out what suits you best! We have also had a huge response to the job advert, which shows you are all supporting the team at CallOver. At present the places have been filled but as you guys seem to be cracking on with the appearances so well, there will be more positions coming up. So keep emailing your details in and we will add you to the list. We have an update on the exclusive map offer that you can only get from the CallOver. We know you have been chatting about, so turn to page 26 and bring yourself up to date. Thank you for being so very supportive in our first year! Please keep sending in details that will help you all whilst on your journey to becoming part of this exclusive green badge club. That’s all from me, so lastly I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Be lucky and most of all be safe out on streets!

Frankie Peet

Our Team Editor Frankie Peet Contributors Chris Ackrill Tom Whitbread Moggy Robert Lordan Mr. Lance John K Boy Membership info@thecallover.co.uk Design and Production Grant Poole-Adams 01245 850949 www.thecallover.co.uk info@thecallover.co.uk THE ONLY MAGAZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE ON THE KNOWLEDGE

5 Bolding Hatch Business Centre Bishops Stortford Road Roxwell, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4LF Tel : 01245 850949

facebook.com/pages/TheCallOver

twitter.com/TheCallOver

No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without prior permission from the publishers. Whilst every care is taken at the time of print to ensure that details are correct, the publisher is not liable for any errors or omissions to articles, listings or advertisements or for the contents of advertisements. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Almost there! If you are almost out then the punctures, damp spark plugs and the seemingly impossible journey called the Knowledge of London is almost over, just a ﬁnal push and away you go. Take a moment to think of all the effort you have put in to get the badge that is going to make such a difference to you and your families lives, what would you do to protect it? Nothing? Well stop reading and hope for the best or read these extracts from a cautionary tale about one of your own who had just passed out when suddenly, it looked as if it had all been for nothing.

“I Joined the LTDA the first week I got my licence but I never realised how important that decision would be.” Our new member had the misfortune to be involved in a fatal accident and the police issued a summons for causing death by dangerous driving. Our member was now facing possible imprisonment and loss of the licence he had worked so hard to get.

CCTV cameras A meeting was which overlooked the arranged with the LTDA legal department scene of the accident, commissioning a and during the months Consultant Forensic LTDA that followed, the Pathologist and the undertook a huge services of a consultant amount of research to combat the prosecutions accident investigator and a qualiﬁed vehicle case against him. This examiner to prepare included obtaining a comprehensive images from two re-enactment of privately owned

the accident. This would counter the comprehensive prosecution case against our member prepared by a specialist police unit. The outcome of this dedication and professionalism shown by the LTDA resulted in a ‘Not Guilty’ verdict.

Can you imagine the outcome if the protection, dedication and expertise of the LTDA had not come into play, it would have been a very different story indeed. So sort out your drive, sell the moped and then give us a call on 020 7286 1046, tell us you have got your badge and bill and leave the rest to us. We will be happy to welcome you into the best taxi trade in the world and the 9000+ members of the LTDA family.

Don’t wait until it’s too late - join the LTDA. Call 020 7286 1046 NOW! 11098-LTDA_Callover_Ads.indd 1

05/07/2012 13:53

12 13:53

THE ONLY MAGAZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE ON THE KNOWLEDGE

In this Issue Pg 7 | WHERE IT’S AT

Pg 37 | MOGGY’S MENTIONS

Do you know your statues?

Christmas is coming!

Pg 13 | CHRIS ACKRILL

Pg 40 | £100 WINNER

Chris get’s a christmas present!

Who is this month’s lucky winner?

Pg 22 | APPEARANCES - 21’S

Pg 41 | PUZZLES

How would you have called these runs?

Make a cuppa and try our puzzles

Pg 26 | COLLINS MAPS

Pg 45 | CLASSIFIEDS

EXCLUSIVE NEWS from CallOver

The perfect place to find a bike or taxi!

DO YOU WANT TO WIN

£100?

777 - 9311 - 0001

PLEASE PAY:

THE SUM OF:

£100 SIGNED:

Need a little extra cash this month? Why not enter our competition to win £100 to help you out? All you have to do is wear a CallOver hi-vis vest and register on our website. If you haven’t already got one you can pick one up from A&N Taxi Repairs, 2a Three Colts Lane, Bethnal Green, E2 6JL (while stocks last) We have some CallOver spotters out looking for you and if yours is the bike registration they spot, we will be in touch to let you know how you can collect your prize. Good luck!

Our stylish range of scooters is streets ahead of the competition. Practical, fun, easy to ride, and most importantly affordable.

PS125i VISION 50

0% APR Representative

SH125i

0% APR Representative 2 years finance

2 years finance

PCX125

0% APR

2 years finance, with £99 deposit

S-WING 125 SH300i

2 Years Affordable Finance

REPRESENTATIVE

VISION 110

3 Years Affordable Finance

Finance is only available to persons aged 18 or over subject to status. Credit provided by Honda Finance Europe Plc., 470 London Road, Slough, Berkshire SL3 8QY.

FREE Knowledge Board and an £80 Crash Helmet with every new scooter purchased Please mention this advert - No cash alternative

Sales, Service, Helmets, Clothing, Accessories HGB Motorcycles 69-71 Park Way, Ruislip Manor, Middlesex HA4 8NS

Tel no: 01895 676451 www.hgbmotorcycles.co.uk

www.geton.co.uk

WHERE

IT’S AT! Why not cut out and keep these pages, test yourself and let us know how you get on. Don’t forget to check future issues for more listings of need to know hot spots. Any ideas? Tell us what you think would be helpful for future listings. Email us with your suggestions: info@thecallover.co.uk

STATUES 2 SEAHORSES LONDON BRIDGE/FISHMONGERS HALL EC4 2 SWANS STATUE BATTERSEA BRIDGE ROAD SW11 3 HORSES STATUE MINCING LANE EC3 ACHILLES STATUE PARK LANE/HYDE PARK W1 ADMIRAL HORATIO NELSON MEMORIAL TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2 AEROBIC FIGURE LEAMOUTH CIRCUS E14 ALBERT MEMORIAL KENSINGTON GORE SW7 ALFRED HITCHCOCK MEMORIAL CROMWELL ROAD SW5 ALFRED THE GREAT STATUE TRINITY CHURCH SQUARE SE1 ALLIES STATUE NEW BOND STREET W1 AMERICAN EAGLE GROSVENOR SQUARE W1 ANIMALS AT WAR STATUE PARK LANE W1 AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL HYDE PARK CORNER W1 BADEN POWELL STATUE QUEENS GATE SW7 BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL VICTORIA EMBANKMENT SW1 BATTLE OF CABLE STREET MEMORIAL DOCK STREET E1 BEAU BRUMELL STATUE JERMYN STREET SW1 BENEDICT ARNOLD MEMORIAL WINDOW BATTERSEA CHURCH ROAD SW12 PARLIAMENT SQUARE SW1 BENJAMIN DISRAELI STATUE BIG TABLE HAMPSTEAD HEATH N6 BILL FAUST AND ADAM MEERE MEMORIAL COMMERCIAL ROAD E1 BLITZ MEMORIAL SERMON LANE EC4 BOADICEA STATUE WESTMINSTER BRIDGE SW1 BOER WAR MEMORIAL HIGHBURY FIELDS N5 BOMBER HARRIS MEMORIAL STRAND WC2 BOY OF GLUTTON GILTSPUR STREET EC1 BOY WITH A DOLPHIN STATUE OAKLEY STREET SW3 CAMDONIAN STATUE LINCOLNS INN FIELDS WC2 CANADA WALK LINCOLNS INN FIELDS WC2 CANADIAN WAR MEMORIAL CONSTITUTION HILL SW1 CAPTAIN COOK STATUE THE MALL SW1 CATHERINE BOOTH STATUE CHAMPION PARK SE5 CHARLES DE GAULLE MEMORIAL CARLTON GARDENS SW1 CHARLES JAMES NAPIER STATUE TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2 CHARLES PORTAL STATUE VICTORIA EMBANKMENT SW1 CHARLIE CHAPLIN STATUE LEICESTER SQUARE WC2 CHINDIT MEMORIAL VICTORIA EMBANKMENT SW1 CHRISTOPHER COLOMBAS STATUE BELGRAVE SQUARE SW1 CLAPHAM TRAIN DISASTER MEMORIAL SPENCER PARK SW18 CLEMENT ATLEE STATUE COMMERCIAL ROAD E14 CLEOPATRAS NEEDLE VICTORIA EMBANKMENT WC2 CLIVE OF INDIA MEMORIAL WESTMINSTER ABBEY SW1 COADE STONE LION WESTMINSTER BRIDGE SE1 CORDWAINERS STATUE WATLING STREET EC4 CORNISH REBELLION MEMORIAL CHARLTON WAY SE3 COUPLE STATUE TOOLEY STREET SE1 CRIMEAN WAR MEMORIAL WATERLOO PLACE SW1 CYPRUS STREET MEMORIAL CYPRUS STREET E2 DIVING WOMEN STATUE PICCADILLY CIRCUS W1 DR JOHNSONS STATUE STRAND WC2 DR SALTERS DAYDREAMER STATUE BERMONDSEY WALL EAST SE16 RUSSELL SQUARE WC1 DUKE OF BEDFORD STATUE DUKE OF KENT STATUE PARK CRESCENT W1 DUKE OF YORK STATUE CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE SW1 DULWICH WAR MEMORIAL COLLEGE RD SE21 DWIGHT EISENHOWER STATUE GROSVENOR SQUARE W1 EAGLE STATUE NARROW STREET E14 EARL HAIG MEMORIAL WHITEHALL SW1 EASTER ISLAND STATUES ESSEX ROAD/NORTHCHURCH ROAD N1 EDITH CAVELL STATUE SAINT MARTINS PLACE WC2 EDWARD I STATUE HIGH HOLBORN/TOP FLOOR WC1 EDWARD VII STATUE WATERLOO PLACE SW1 EISENHOWER STATUE GROSVENOR SQUARE W1 ELEANOR CROSS STRAND/STATION FORECOURT WC2 EMPTY PLINTH TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2 LOWER ROAD SE16 F.A. ALBIN MEMORIAL GARDEN FENNER BROCKWAY STATUE RED LION SQUARE WC1 FIELD MARSHALL ALAN BROOKS MEMORIAL WHITEHALL SW1 FIREMANS MEMORIAL SEXTANT AVENUE E14 FLEET AIR ARM MEMORIAL VICTORIA EMBANKMENT SW1 FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE STATUE WATERLOO PLACE SW1 FLYING BOMB PLAQUE GROVE ROAD E3 FOCH STATUE BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD SW1 FRANCIS BACON STATUE SOUTH SQUARE/GRAYS INN WC1 FULL STOP SLIPSTREAM STATUE TOOLEY STREET SE1 GANDHI STATUE TAVISTOCK SQUARE WC1 BREWERS HALL GARDENS EC2 GARDENER STATUE GEORGE & DRAGON STATUE SAINT JOHNS WOOD CIRCUS NW1 GEORGE WASHINGTON STATUE TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2 GETTING BACK ON THE RIGHT FOOT STATUE SOUTH WHARF ROAD W2 GIRL & DOLPHIN STATUE SAINT KATHARINE’S WAY E1 GIRO THE NAZI DOG GRAVE CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE SW1 GLADSTONE MEMORIAL E3 BOW ROAD E3 GOLDEN BOY MEMORIAL GILTSPUR STREET EC1 GOLDERS GREEN WAR MEMORIAL FINCHLEY ROAD NW11 GRENADIER GUARDS MEMORIAL HORSE GUARDS PARADE SW1 GUARDS MEMORIAL HORSE GUARDS ROAD SW1

GUARDS MONUMENT WATERLOO PLACE SW1 HORSE GUARDS AVENUE SW1 GURKHA SOLDIER STATUE HERCULES STATUE ORMONDE PLACE SW1 GOUGH SQUARE EC4 HODGE STATUE HOGARTH & HIS DOG STATUE CHISWICK HIGH ROAD W4 HOLACAUST MEMORIAL GARDEN HYDE PARK W2 HORSES OF HELIOS STATUE PICCADILLY CIRCUS W1 HUGH DOWDING STATUE STRAND WC2 HUGH MYDDELTON STATUE ISLINGTON GREEN N1 INSPECTOR STEPHEN DODD MEMORIAL HANS CRESCENT SW1 INTERNATIONAL MEMORIAL TO THE WORLDS SEAFARERS ALBERT EMBANKMENT SE1 ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL STATUE TEMPLE PLACE WC2 JACOB STATUE QUEEN ELIZABETH STREET SE1 JAMES WOLFE STATUE BLACKHEATH AVENUE SE10 JAN CHRISTIAN SMUTS STATUE PARLIAMENT SQUARE SW1 JAWAHARLAL NEHRU STATUE INDIA PLACE WC2 JOHN F KENNEDY MEMORIAL MARYLEBONE ROAD NW1 JOHN WILKES STATUE NEW FETTER LANE EC4 JUBILEE PLINTH FULFORD STREET SE16 KARL MARX MEMORIAL HIGHGATE CEMETERY EAST N6 KNOWLEDGE STATUE LIBRARY SQUARE E1 LADY WITH A GREYHOUND STATUE AVONDALE SQUARE SE1 LEWISHAM WAR MEMORIAL LEWISHAM HIGH STREET SE13 LIFFE TRADER STATUE WALBROOK EC4 LIVINGSTONE STATUE KENSINGTON GORE SW7 MACHINE GUN CORPS MEMORIAL HYDE PARK CORNER W1 MAHATMA GANDHI STATUE TAVISTOCK SQUARE WC1 MAN WITH OPEN ARMS STATUE WEST INDIA AVENUE E14 MARC BOLAN MEMORIAL GIPSY LANE SW13 MARC BOLAN MEMORIAL QUEENS RIDE SW13 MARCHIONESS DISASTER MEMORIAL CATHEDRAL STREET SE1 MASSEY SHAW MEMORIAL HIGHGATE CEMETERY EAST N19 MASTER OF SUSPENSE BUST POOLE STREET N1 MEETING PLACE STATUE SAINT PANCRAS STATION NW1 MEN PLAYING DOMINOES STATUE CLOVE CRESCENT E14 MERCHANT SEAMENS MEMORIAL TRINITY SQUARE EC3 MICHAEL FARADAY STATUE SAVOY PLACE WC2 MONUMENT WAY HIGH ROAD TOTTENHAM N15 MOUNTBATTEN MEMORIAL HORSE GUARDS ROAD SW1 MOZART STATUE ORANGE SQUARE/EBURY STREET SW1 NANCY’S STEPS MONTAGUE CLOSE SE1 NATIONAL POLICEMENS MEMORIAL HORSE GUARDS ROAD SW1 NELSON MANDELA STATUE PARLIAMENT SQUARE SW1 NELSONS COLUMN TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2 NEW ZEALAND MEMORIAL HYDE PARK CORNER W1 NTL TOWER CRYSTAL PALACE PARADE SE19 OLIVER CROMWELL STATUE SAINT MARGARETS STREET SW1 PEACE PAGODA THE PARADE/CARRIAGE DRIVE NORTH SW11 PEOPLE OF LONDON MEMORIAL SAINT PAUL’S CHURCH YARD EC4 PETER PAN STATUE HYDE PARK W2 PHILIP LAWRENCE MEMORIAL LANARK ROAD W9 PRINCESS DIANA MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN WEST CARRIAGE DRIVE RING SW7 QUANTUM CLOUD STATUE EDMUND HALLEY WAY SE10 QUEENS GARDENS SW1 QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL QUESTION MARK STATUE KING WILLIAM WALK SE10 RAF MEMORIAL VICTORIA EMBANKMENT SW1 RAINBOW MURAL PORLOCK STREET SE1 RICHARD GREEN STATUE EAST INDIA DOCK ROAD E14 RICHARD I STATUE OLD PALCE YARD SW1 RIFLE BRIGADE WAR MEMORIAL GROSVENOR GARDENS SW1 ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL GROSVENOR SQUARE W1 ROPE STATUE SCLATER STREET E1 ROWLAND HILL STATUE KING EDWARD STREET EC1 ROYAL ARTILLERY BOER WAR MEMORIAL HORSE GUARDS PARADE/THE MALL SW1 ROYAL ARTILLERY MEMORIAL GROSVENOR PLACE SW1 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE MEMORIAL LINCOLNS INN FIELDS WC2 ROYAL FUSILIERS MEMORIAL HOLBORN EC1 ROYAL MARINE FOUNTAIN HORSEGUARDS ROAD/THE MALL SW1 ROYAL MARINES MEMORIAL THE MALL SW1 SAMUEL PLIMSOLL MONUMENT VICTORIA EMBANKMENT WC2 SEAGULL STATUE NARROW STREET E14 SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL GARDEN GROSVENOR SQUARE W1 SHAFTESBURY STATUE (EROS) PICCADILLY CIRCUS W1 SHAKESPEARE MEMORIAL LEICESTER SQUARE WC2 SHERLOCK HOLMES STATUE MARYLEBONE ROAD NW1 SIX ROCKS ANCHOR & CHAIN SALMON LANE E14 SLICE OF REALITY STATUE RIVER WAY SE10 SOURCE MONUMENT NEWGATE STREET/STOCK EXCHANGE EC4 STILL POINT AUSTIN FRIARS SQUARE EC2 STREATHAM WAR MEMORIAL COMMON NORTHSIDE, STREATHAM, LONDON SW16 SUBMARINERS MEMORIAL VICTORIA EMBANKMENT EC4 TANK REGIMENT MEMORIAL WHITEHALL PLACE SW1 THE BIG BLUE CANADA SQUARE E14 THE CENOTAPH WHITEHALL SW1 THE WEDDING CAKE QUEENS GARDENS(QVM) SW1 THREAD NEEDLE STATUE SCLATER STREET E1 THRONE OF THE ANCIENT KINGS STATUE KING WILLIAM WALK SE10 TOMB OF THE EARTHLY KINGS KING WILLIAM WALK SE10 TRAFFIC LIGHTS TREE HERON QUAYS CIRCUS E14 THURLOE PLACE SW7 TWELVE FACES OF MAN TWO CHERUBS ON THE PHONE TEMPLE PLACE WC2 TWO PUPILS STATUE DUKE OF YORK SQUARE SW3 TYBURN TREE MEMORIAL EDGWARE ROAD W2 VIOLETTE SZABO MURAL STOCKWELL TERRACE SW9 VISCOUNT SLIM STATUE WHITEHALL SW1 VORTEX STATUE LAMB STREET E1 WALAMBURG STATUE GREAT CUMBERLAND PLACE W1 WARM EMBRACE STATUE WRENS LANENDING E14 WEEE MAN SCULPTURE POTTERS FIELDS SE1 WELLINGTON STATUE CORNHILL/THREADNEEDLE STREET EC3 WILLIAM BOOTH STATUE CHAMPION PARK SE5 WILLIAM HUSKISSON MEMORIAL GROSVENOR ROAD SW1 WILLIAM IV STATUE KING WILLIAM WALK SE10 LOVE LANE EC2 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE STATUE WILLIAM WALLACE MEMORIAL WEST SMITHFIELD EC1 WINDOW CLEANER STATUE CHAPEL STREET NW1 WINSTON CHURCHILL MEMORIAL PARLIAMENT SQUARE SW1 WLADYSLAW SIKORSKI STATUE PORTLAND PLACE W1 WPC JANE ARBUTHNOT HANS CRESCENT SW1 YOUNG DANCER STATUE BROAD COURT WC2

Bacons Motorcycles Established since 1983

739-741 Eastern Avenue Newbury Park Ilford, Essex, IG2 7RT bacon_motorcycle@btconnect.com www.baconsmotorcycles.co.uk

The Kymco Agility City 125 is ideal for the knowledge, with 16inch wheels, disc brakes front and rear, fuel gauge, electric and kick start, two stands, clock, halogen headlight and a LCD Speedo and of course great fuel economy.

Kymco Agility City 125 Including: Knowledge Board, Topbox, L plates, Open face helmet, Full tank of fuel, 1 year road tax, free of charge local delivery, 2 year parts and labour warranty and 10% off any accessories for 1 month (from purchase date)

KNOWLEDGE DEAL OTR

ÂŁ1,899.00

Other models are available with the knowledge deal as this is not a limited offer; it is available until 31/1/13 please call for further details. KYMCO. Founded in 1963 after breaking away from Honda. The company built its first complete scooter in 1970 and began marketing under the "KYMCO" brand name in 1992. Kymco has become the largest scooter manufacturer in Taiwan, and the fifth largest scooter manufacturer worldwide. Being the UK top selling dealer and with over a 100 sold for the knowledge we can assure excellent reliability.

0208 252 6020

WHERE TO GET YOUR COPY Transport for London

TAXI PRIVATE HIRE

Taxi & Private Hire Knowledge Examination Waiting Area Palestra 4th Floor 197 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8NJ

A&N

LTDA

A&N Taxi Repairs

Radio Taxis

LTDA

2a Three Colts Lane E2 6JL

Unit 4, Bush Industrial Estate Station Road N19 5UW

Taxi House, Woodfield Road W9 2BA

ALSO AVAILABLE AT WizAnn

Greater London Motorcycles

Edinho Motos

Unit 1, 42 Watts Grove E3 3RE

101e High Street, Edgware Middlesex, HA8 7DB

34 Quixley Street, Docklands E14 9PU

Computer Cab Knowledge School Advantage House, Mitre Way Industrial Estate W10 6AU

Belmay Knowledge School 137 Ormside street SE15 1TF

The Double K Knowledge School Unit F17, Birch House, Birch Walk, Off Fraser Road Erith, Kent, DA8 1QX

The London Knowledge Lawrence Trading Estate, Askew Farm Road Grays, Essex, RM17 5XE

Rankins Knowledge School Karibu Education Centre 7 Gresham Road SW9 7PH

Knowledge 4 U 97 Dunbridge Street E2 6JG

Fever Cab Spares Collect from Shoe Repairs 28 Liverpool Street EC2M 7PD

Bacons Motorcycles 739-741 Eastern Avenue Newbury Park, Essex, IG2 7RT

Chas Bikes 113 Kennington Road SE11 6SF

Johns of Romford 46-52 London Road Romford, Essex, RM7 9QX

Steads Bikes 181 -183 South Street Romford, Essex, RM1 1PS

Knowledge Practice Tooting Baptist Church Longley Road, Tooting, Wandsworth SW17 9LD Tuesday & Thursday, 11am - 5pm

Elite Knowledge School Unit AX, 11-17 Fowler Road Hainault Business Park, Hainault Essex, IG6 3UJ

A13 Taxis 15a River Road Barking, IG11 0HE

EE FRCOPY DE

THE O

CALLO NLY M

Cricklewood Carriers Midland Arches London, NW2 6NJ

FOR T

HOSE

ON T

AGAZ IN

HE K

VER

NOW LED

KNO

Learn WLED so G tea br mething ne E COL eak LEGE w on your

Magris Cafe City Airport

WHY NOT

SUBSCRIBE?

Get it hot off the press before we distribute to our drop off points Save fuel and money by getting CallOver magazine delivered to your door! See page 47 for full details

CHR

talks of IS ACK RIL card fr his first C hr om C amde istmas n Cou ncil

UPD ATE ws with YOUR

on ne

Collin

s Map

SELF

W ÂŁ1 IN 00 SE

PART

1: Dan vers A

nswer

s ques

tions

on th

PA GE

e kno wledge

HO W

Late November and I’m anticipating the first Christmas card of the year. I open a white envelope sent from the London Borough of Camden. Perchance the envelope contains a seasonal message sent to the regulars who work the rank at St Pancras? Maybe a card depicting a snowy scene of a hansom cab negotiating icy Hampstead Village. Or even a Victorian water colour depicting grim-faced men in coats, scarves and mufflers; shuffling their feet and rubbing their hands on a cold North London rank. But no, there are no kind words thanking me for my sterling work serving the good people of Camden. I get a few nice colour photos of my cab, but for this I am asked to pay £131. A Merry Christmas to you too! I hadn’t been in trouble for a while, so I shouldn’t complain too much. I’ve not been caught speeding for a good two years: since I was photographed racing home with my KFC Bargain Bucket one Sunday, by a camera I pass twice a day just yards from my home. I must say, the Northamptonshire speed awareness course I attended was enjoyable and interesting. Ironically, soon after the event, the council turned off all of the cameras – and half the streetlamps – to save money I’m extra careful at box junctions now and haven’t been done in about a year. It’s not easy. Crossing junctions on Euston Road and Shaftsbury Avenue takes a lot of planning (scene of two of my box junction crimes – the other was Liverpool Road by Sainsbury’s). Take it too fast and you can get caught in the yellow box if the traffic moves slower than anticipated. Take it too slow and it’s taken as sign of weakness by other drivers, who will pull in front of you from another lane, leaving you, the innocent and courteous driver, in the danger zone. I’ve been lucky with parking tickets over the past year too. My current offence rankles though, as it was my own lack of observation that caused it. It’ embarrassing too, because as an ex-Knowledge Examiner I really should have known I couldn’t turn left into Calthorpe Street from Phoenix Place. My anger was then compounded by worry, as Eyre Street Hill, Warner Street, Phoenix Place and Calthorpe Street was my cut through of the week. I’d done it three times recently and worried I’d be getting two more nasty letters through the post. Thankfully, on reading the PCN notice properly I noticed I’d been caught by a CCTV car rather than a static camera, and unless they’re holding back so they can surprise me on Christmas Eve I seem to have got away with the other times. I’ll pay within fourteen days and only pay £65. A few more of these and I’d be enjoying a semi-skimmed Christmas, brooding over the money I could have spent on other things. Often we’re pressured into doing things that we feel aren’t right. Stopping on zig zags or waiting for people at cash points make us nervous but are sometimes unavoidable. A strange one recently when Trafalgar Square and surrounding roads were closed for filming. At the lights at Victoria Embankment and Northumberland Avenue a hotel doorman came running over in suit and top hat. I hesitated as Northumberland Avenue was blocked off. He didn’t worry as he set about removing the No Entry signs and got in the back. He had the confidence of someone who knew what he was doing so I went along with it. Once in Northumberland Avenue he muttered something about having Police permission to go through the regular No Entry at Whitehall Place. I earned quite a nice job from the Corinthia but wondered what merriment this might cause in court at Christmas: “Well, m’lud, the nice Eastern European gentleman said it was all right...he seemed to know what he was doing – said he had Police protection. He was wearing a top hat so I knew he was respectable...” Well, a Happy Christmas to one and all. Next year should be interesting bearing in mind the issues around the London Taxi Company. We’re said to be getting two new models of taxi in 2013, but I’ll believe it when I see it. I’ll be sad to know this could be my last TX. I’ve picked up two families recently where the kids were excited with their treat of riding in a traditional London taxi. I hope to be providing such treats for many Christmases to come.

Chris Ackrill

BOX JUNCTION

CHRISTMAS

56 DAYS

DIARY OF A

KNOWLEDGE BOY Would you have done the same? Tell us how you would have run it or get in touch and let us know about your latest appearance.

Last Appearance

First run asked

Second run asked

YMCA Central to Bloomsbury Street Hotel

Ibis Hotel Stratford To Theatre Royal Stratford

Leave On Left �� Great Russell Street Right �� Coptic Street Right �� Streatham Street Right ��Willoughby Street Left �� Great Russell Street Set Down On Right

Leave On Left ��Romford Left ��Deanery Road Left �� Litchfield Avenue Right �� Romford Road Forward �� Stratford Broadway Right ��Great Eastern Road Right ��Salway Road Set Down On Left

Last Appearance

Third run asked

Fourth run asked

Finsbury Park Station to Crouch Hill Station (SDOL)

Goldsmith College Student Union to Greenwich University Student Union

Leave On Left ��Station Place Left �� Stroud Green Road Left & Right �� Trinder Road Right �� Shaftesbury Road Right ��Crouch Hill Set Down On Left

Leave On Left �� Dixon Road Left �� Lewisham Way Right �� New Cross Road Forward ��Deptford Broadway Forward �� Deptford Bridge Left �� Greenwich High Road Right �� Stockwell Street Left �� Nevada Street Left ��King William Walk Set Down On Left

Score Run 1

8/10

Run 2

8/10

Run 3

0/10

Run 4

6/10

Dropped Points Run 1

no dropped points

Run 2

no dropped points

Run 3

no dropped points

Run 4

no dropped points

d hts an g u o h T ces After earan p p A d using ts on ack roun e b g it r in a p T n’t s un. I did

R Station in! ry Park u y on aga b r s r a in c F d e n h t a s it a t which w ry forge e today ell best t m w t s h o O c ! One run a int Thomas’s!! S Rock &

THE ONLY MAG

AZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE

Date

ON THE KNO WLEDGE

Time

21/05/12 8.30am 18/07/12 11.00am 05/09/12 10.45am

SCORECARD Grade

C C D

Examiner

Date

* Date and time not exact

Time

THE ONLY MAG

AZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE

Grade

ON THE KNO WLEDGE

Examiner

COLTS CABS L I M I T E D

128 Three Colts Lane, London, E2 6JN

THINKING OF GOING PART-TIME? IS YOUR CAB IN OVERHAUL? IS YOUR CAB BEING REPAIRED?

HARRY H ARRY N NASH ASH

PRESENT P RESENT THIS ADVERT TO RECEIVE AN EXTRA 10% OFF SELECTED ACCESSORIES

MOTORCYCLES & SCOOTERS

020 8748 2837

391 KING STREET HAMMERSMITH LONDON W6 9NJ

INTRODUCTION OFFER

£400 OFF RRP

WE HAVE

TXI • TXII • TX4

AVAILABLE TO RENT ON A DAILY BASIS HIRINGS AVAILABLE FROM 1 DAY TO 1 YEAR TOTAL FLEXIBILITY RENTALS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM £95 P/W T E L E P H O N E :

020 7613 0684 020 7613 0630

VOX

RRP £1699 DISCOUNT PRICE £1299* Capable of travelling up to 200 miles on one gallon of unleaded petrol, the new Vox 110 scooter from Peugeot offers robust, practical and economical everyday transport. Peugeot's design team updated the traditional 'step-thru' concept, giving the Vox a stylish modern front grille, cast alloy wheels and 220mm front disc brake. Government first registration fee and vehicle excise duty are not included and will be charged at the prevailing rate. Prices correct at time of print - Errors and omissions excepted.

Kingston & Wimbledon Taxis Lucas & Cygnus meter agents, cabs to rent from £140 per week with RAC breakdown. Garage open Monday to Saturday, plus we have spare cabs available 24/7 so you are never off the road. We also do overhauls, tyres from £26.50 +VAT, running repairs, buy & sell cabs, all batteries from £75 +VAT, TX2 timing chains fitted for £389 +VAT, non fault accident repairs/free cab.

FREE

KNOWLEDGE BOARDS WITH ALL BIKES

The Dell, Clayton Road, Chessington, KT9 1NN Just off the A3, at the Hook turn off 0208 391 1600 sales@taxigarage.co.uk

WWW.TAXIGARAGE.CO.UK

t: 020 7378 1667 SALES & SERVICE 13 CRUCIFIX LANE LONDON BRIDGE LONDON SE1 3JW

The CallOver

December 2012 For the first time ever, one of the biggest finance companies are putting cabs in to auction because of the LTI debacle. It is still hoped that a buyer will come in and save the Iconic Black Taxi but as said in our last issue there are some good deals out there on second hand TX’s so if you are able to buy once you have passed out, now is the time!

Thought you might like to see my cat studying hard!

20 12

BE R

COP Y

FRE

N OV

ZINE

FOR TH

ED WL NO

RL ER GI BUTTis like for a girl

TS ! EE SH ERE ils NT R Hfull deta r

I PO

see

wledge What it the kno studying out passing

6 fo

CALLOVER FOR THOSE ON

and

pag

We are looking for a limited number of students to use/test the future launches of our exclusive deals. If interested, make sure you are known to us and registered. Currently we have a number of limited products that are given away free in exchange for feedback. If you have any ideas which are not out there and you want to share your Knowledge please contact the team.

THE ONLY MAGA

TH OSE ON

C EMB

LEDGE E KNOW

E OV

ER F

V CALLO

CO P

NLY

GA MA

E REOPY

GAZIN LY MA

THE ON

CT O

E ZIN

Sadly a recent East London Knowledge school had to close because it’s premises were no longer made available to them by a large Taxi provider. Hopefully there will be a buyer of the original LTI that will carry on the brand and this smaller competitor remembers what it did to this knowledge school and its students which are its future potential customers!

THE KNOWLEDG

WHERE IT’S

AT Helpful listings to improve your knowledge!

STEN WE LI ted Postcode ues As req codes listed a and are

N EK THorner

IN ris’s C Ch

NEED A BRE

AK? Learn whilst you relax with our quiz pages

WINlucky enough to be a point I have recently got my rec and was WIN £100 £100 collector in the early stages when CallOver launched them. W Having sat with the team I see with my own eyes £the effort 10IN that those guys put in to every issue of the magazine0 that I wish was there when I first started some 4 years ago. I was also lucky enough to sit with the people in the background and was genuinely surprised when I realised I had mistook what I thought was an inadvertent physiological lift that comes with each issue they produce to those on the Knowledge as it is not inadvertent (by accident at all) in fact it is very deliberate because they are still relatively fresh off the Knowledge and give that lift we all need whilst learning but at the same time bring that spark of humour. A special thank you from me who hope to be featured in a future article – The View of a Butter Boy. SEE

HOW TO

SEE HOW

latest S NEWate you with the T We updand twitter feeds

EN CI

IE FF

stories

FIRST IMPRES

PAGE ON Moggy

SIONS

gives us a few tips for coping with appearances

We are running our points during the festive season so be sure to exercise those well fed brains over the holiday period.

ON PAG

I-

XTA ? U W HO E YO AR

s 33

ws Ne

m fro

n fL o

Pag

3 on Page & 3 ws from TfL Ne

News from Tfl

on Pages 32 &

PA GE

28 DAYS

DIARY OF A

KNOWLEDGE BOY Would you have done the same? Tell us how you would have run it or get in touch and let us know about your latest appearance.

Last Appearance

First run asked

Second run asked

Covent Garden Station to Le Gavroche Restaurant

K West Hotel to Blue Elephant Theatre

Leave On Right ��Long Acre Left �� Endell Street Left �� Shelton Street Right .................................Mercer Street Comply ��Seven Dials Leave By �� Earlham Street Left ��Shaftesbury Avenue Right ��Great Windmill Street Forward ��Lexington Street Left �� Beak Street Right �� Regent Street Left ��Conduit Street Right ��St. George Street Left �� Maddox Street Forward �� Grosvenor Street Forward ��Grosvenor Square

Forward �� Upper Grosvenor Street Forward �� Grosvenor Gate Right �� Park Lane Right ��Brook Gate Forward ��Upper Brook Street Set Down On Right

Leave On Left ��Richmond Way Left �� Sinclair Gardens Forward �� Sinclair Road Right ��Maclise Road Forward ��Beaconsfield Terrace Road Forward ��Blythe Road Left ��Hammersmith Road Forward ��Addison Bridge Forward �� Kensington High Street Right ��Warwick Gardens Left ��Pembroke Road Right ��Earls Court Road Left ��Cromwell Road Right �� Knaresborough Place Forward and Left ��Courtfield Gardens Forward �� Courtfield Road Right ��Gloucester Road Left �� Stanhope Gardens Forward ��Harrington Road Right �� Old Brompton Road Left ��Pelham Street Forward ��Sloane Avenue Left ��Draycott Place Right �� Cadogan Gardens Left ��Symons Street

Comply �� Sloane Square Leave By ��Hobein Place Left ��Pimlico Road Forward �� Ebury Bridge Left ��Warwick Way Right �� St. Georges Drive Left ...................................................... Lupus Street Forward ��Bessborough Street Forward �� Drummond Gate Right ��Vauxhall Bridge Road Forward �� Bessborough Gardens Forward ��Vauxhall Bridge Forward ��Bridgefoot Forward ��Vauxhall Cross Forward �� Kennington Lane Right �� Durham Street Left �� Harleyford Road Forward �� Kennington Oval Forward ��Harleyford Street Forward ��Camberwell New Road Left �� John Ruskin Street Right �� Bethwin Road Right ��Thompson Avenue Set Down On Left

Last Appearance

Third run asked

Fourth run asked

Sir John Soane’s Museum to Freud Museum

Bermondsey Station to Swedish School

Comply �� Lincoln’s Inn Fields Leave By ��Remnant Street Right ��Kingsway Forward �� Southampton Row Forward �� Russell Square Forward �� Woburn Place Forward ��Tavistock Square Forward ��Upper Woburn Place Forward ��Eversholt Street Forward ��Camden High Street Left �� Delancey Street Left �� Parkway Right �� Prince Albert Road Right �� Albert Terrace Left ��Regent’s Park Road Left �� Primrose Hill Road

Left ��Adelaide Road Right ��Finchley Road Bear Right �� College Crescent Forward ��Fitzjohns Avenue Left �� Nutley Terrace Left ��Maresfield Gardens Set Down On Left

Leave On Left �� Jamaica Road Left �� Abbey Street Left ��Tower Bridge Road Comply ��Bricklayers Arms Roundabout Leave By ��New Kent Road Comply ��Elephant & Castle Leave By ��St. Georges Road Bear Left ��Lambeth Road Comply �� Lambeth Circus Leave By ��Lambeth Bridge Comply �� Millbank Circus Leave By �� Horseferry Road Left ��Greycoat Place Right �� Artillery Row Left ��Victoria Street Right & Bear Left ��Grosvenor Gardens Left �� Hobart Place Forward �� Eaton Square

Right ��Belgrave Place Left ��Chesham Place Forward ��Pont Street Forward ��Beauchamp Place Left ��Brompton Road Forward �� Thurlow Place Forward �� Cromwell Gardens Forward �� Cromwell Road Forward �� West Cromwell Road Forward �� Talgarth Road Right �� Queen Caroline Street Left �� Hammersmith Bridge Road Forward �� Hammersmith Bridge Forward �� Castlenau Right ��Lonsdale Road Set Down On Right

Score Run 1

7/10

Run 2

7/10

Run 3

7/10

Run 4

7/10

Dropped Points Run 1

no dropped points

Run 2

no dropped points

Run 3

no dropped points

Run 4

no dropped points

d hts an s g u o h T ce After earan p p A y happy n o 8’s reall s 2 t n e o g p u olite Tar me 2-0 er was p

in puts g! Exam nce, this ra a e p e too lon p r next!!! a e h t is h t t in n to he in on O asn’t a ! w g w I a o e d n k e li r rd seems ave sco rking ha fast and oon to h keep wo m y r o e e t h v t t s o r a g e Ov rance w hy! Just t! Appea n smoot ra e c n with tha ra pea whole ap and the

THE ONLY MAG

AZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE

ON THE KNO WLEDGE

Date

8-6-11 10-8-11 14-10-11 9-12-11

Time

9.00am 9.45am 11.00am 1.00pm 28’s 22-2-12 8.30am 23-3-12 9.45a m

SCORECARD Grade

C D D C

Examiner

Date

C C

* Date and time not exact

19 19

Time

THE ONLY MAG

AZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE

Grade

ON THE KNO WLEDGE

Examiner

taxidrivertraining.org.uk

LONDON BLACK CAB DRIVER TRAINING

6 hours of training £280 Test fee £92.94

taxidrivertraining.org.uk

LONDON BLACK CAB DRIVER TRAINING

0208 309 7550 taxitraining1@btconnect.com

A LONDON

CHRISTMAS STORY

It is widely accepted that Charles Dickens was one of the greatest ever writers to chronicle London and, as the festive season approaches, I always enjoy returning to ‘A Christmas Carol’; his seasonal masterpiece which was written in a matter of days and first published on 19th December 1843. At its core, A Christmas Carol is the tale of a once decent man who has gradually become twisted and corrupted by the pursuit of money, spurning true love in favour of a lust for all things fiscal. This moral fairy-tale is spiced up with lashings of Christmassy imagery… and of course a group of persuasive ghosts, who guide the wretched miser towards a glorious redemption. Like most of Dickens’ novels, A Christmas Carol has its roots firmly planted within specific London locations. In the very opening lines, we are told that “Scrooge’s name was good upon ‘Change for anything he chose to put his hand to.” “Change’ is a shortened nickname which Victorian Londoners gave to the ‘Royal Exchange’; the important hub of commerce (now converted into a luxury shopping mall) which overlooks Bank Junction. Ebenezer Scrooge himself works right in the heart of the city; his dismally chilly counting house being tucked down an alleyway off of Cornhill. Scrooge doesn’t have very far to commute; his soon to be haunted home being based moments away on Lime Street- number 45 to be exact. In the book, Dickens describes Scrooge’s City dwelling as being: “A gloomy suite of rooms, in a lowering pile of building up a yard, where it had little business to be…the yard was so dark that even Scrooge, who knew its every stone, was fain to grope with his hands.” It is at this creepy location that Scrooge has his first taste of the hauntings which will soon follow… as he goes to enter his house, the ghostly face of

his long-deceased partner, Jacob Marley, briefly materializes on the door knocker… Of course, Lime Street has changed dramatically since the days of Dickens. Today, the winding road is home to the ultra-modern Lloyds Insurance building… Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s downtrodden clerk and proud father to his sickly son, Tiny Tim, lives north of the city in Camden Town. Although Camden is now famed for its trendy market and lively bars, it was a very different area indeed in Dickens’ time. Back then, Camden was a poverty-ridden slum. The area towards the east, around what is now Agar Grove was particularly notorious… in 1851, Dickens described it as being: “A complete bog of mud and filth with deep-cart ruts, wretched hovels, the doors blocked up with mud…the stench of a rainy morning is enough to knock down a bullock.” On a lighter note, many film versions of A Christmas Carol have been produced over the years… one of the most joyous being the ‘Muppet’ version, starring Rotherhithe’s very own Michael Caine! Like Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, the Muppet Christmas Carol also found a home in Camden… If you head to the junction of Oval Road and Gilbeys Yard, you’ll find a block of apartments called The Henson. These flats were converted from the ‘Creature Shop’; the studio where many of Jim Henson’s Muppets were lovingly created; including the cast who took part in the affectionate retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story.

Robert

21 DAYS

DIARY OF A

KNOWLEDGE BOY Would you have done the same? Tell us how you would have run it or get in touch and let us know about your latest appearance.

2 Last Appearance

Last Appearance

Second run asked

First run asked

Shepherds Tavern to St Giles Hotel

Dalgarno Gardens to Dolphin Square

Leave On Left �� Shepherds Street Left �� Hertford Right ��Curzon Right ��Trebeck Street Left ��Shepherd Street Right ��White Horse Street Left �� Piccadilly Forward �� Piccadilly Circus Leave By ��Shaftesbury Avenue Left ��Dean Street Right �� Old Compton Street Left �� Charing Cross Road Right ��Tottenham Court Road Diversion Left �� St Giles High Street

Leave By �� Balby Road Left ��Highlever Road Right ��St Quinton Avenue Left �� North Pole Road Left �� Wood Lane Right ��South Africa Road Left �� Bloemfontein Road Right �� Uxbridge Road Left ��Conningham Road Right �� Goldhawk Road Compy �� Roundabout Leave By �� Goldhawk Road Right ��Chiswick High Road Left �� Chiswick Lane Right ��Dorchester Grove Comply ��Hogarth Roundabout Leave By ��Burlington Lane Forward �� Alexander Avenue Left �� Edensor Road Right into forecourt

Left �� New Oxford Street Right �� Tottenham Court Road Right ��Great Russell Street Left �� Adeline Place Left ��Bedford Avenue Set Down On Left

Last Appearance

Third run asked

Fourth run asked

Tea Trade to Chelsea Wharf

Lambs Passage to Financial Times

Leave on Right �� Shad Thames Left �� Maguire Street Left ��Gaisnford Street Right �� Shad Thames Forward ��Tanner Street Right ��Druid Street Left �� Crucifix Lane Forward ��St Thomas Street Right ��Stainer Street Left �� Tooley Street Forward ��Duke St Hill Left �� Borough High Street Right ��Southwark Street Left �� Lavington Street Left ��Great Guildford Street Right �� Union Street Forward �� Cut Forward �� Bayliss Road

Right ��Spur Road Left ��Station Approach Road Right �� Westminster Bridge Road Forward �� Westy Bridge Forward ��Bridge Street Comply ��Parliament Leave ��Broad Sanctuary Forward �� Victoria Street Left ��Buckingham Palace Road Right ��Pimlico Road Forward ��Royal Hospital Road Right �� Chelsea Embankment Forward ��Cheyne Walk Left �� Lots Road Set Down On Left

Leave By �� Lambs buildings Left �� Eroll Street Left �� Whitecross Street Left ��Beech Street Forward �� Chiswell Street Right ��Finsbury Pavement Forward �� Moorgate Forward ��Princes Street Forward �� Bank Junction Forward ��King William Street Forward �� London Bridge Left �� Fish Street Hill Right �� Upper Thames Street Left �� Queen Street Place Forward �� Southwark Bridge Set Down On Left

Drop

ped P oints

Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4

no drop

ped po

no drop

ped po

no drop

ped po

no drop

ped po

ints

ts and h g u o Th ces After earan p p A ham etc ts on e Conning e g n r a a C T rove so ne Du

hester G Wood La nd Dorc wanted a e t h u , n scored o b 4 a ts on ru round uare w in q h o S rt p a in g h 4 o H er, olp ed member estminst el, dropp dens - D e t r r W o a t r H G o e n v s o o e n ld il Dalgar him, cou f ran this rn - St G scored 7 t a gave ea Whar rds Tave a ls e h e h h w p e C ambeth h ’s L t S d f . r e tha 7 r a r h d fe e W r pre de wanted arks sco hat him uld have o d. Tea Tra w e w t im n e h h a lost 3 m e t w u t he but gav mbeth b him wha w points at or La h fe t a 6 gave r e d h e it p e es, drop ds sa id ncial Tim afterwar a in F e assag Lambs p 6. scored a

THE ONLY MAG

AZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE

ON THE KNO WLEDGE

Date

9-12-10 16-2-11 14-411 10-6-11

Time

8.00am 9.45am 9.45am 8.30am

28’s

16-8-11 9.00am 12-9-11 12.00pm 14-10-11 12.30pm

SCORECARD Grade

B C B B B B D

Examiner

Date

Time

18-11-11 11.00 am 16-12-11 9.30a m

21’s

23-1-12 8.15am 22-2-12 9.00am

* Date and time not exact

THE ONLY MAG

AZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE

Grade

D A C D

ON THE KNO WLEDGE

Examiner

SUBURBS After Thoughts

RUNS ASKED Number 1: Cricklewood to Colindale Number 2: Heathrow Terminal 1, 2 & 3 to Brentford

I cannot even explain how it feels to be holding my green badge as I write this, I actually feel like I have won a medal, I guess I have! The last year I have been doing the knowledge full time so I knew this was it and I have finally reached my goal. My family are very pleased too I guess I can now buy things for us as a family instead of worrying about problems on the bike. I have picked up my cab, which I am renting I have gone for a TX2, as that is what my Dad drives so I have followed in his footsteps. I now just have to work out, what hours are best for me, my Dad tells me this is where the learning actually starts.

Number 3: Stratford to Woodford Green Number 4: Lewisham to Sidcup Number 5: Putney to Hampton Number 6: Heathrow Terminal 5 to Hayes Number 7: White City to Perivale

Taxi Hire London

020 7033 6638 Taxi Hire London 2a Three Colts Lane Bethnal Green • London E2 6JL

The nine suburban sectors are: Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham and Redbridge Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham Bromley Croydon Merton and Sutton Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames and Richmond upon Thames Ealing and Hillingdon Barnet, Brent and Harrow

• Professional service • • RAC cover • • Backup taxi’s available • • Excellent condition • • Recently passed out drivers welcome • • First week’s rental FREE for drivers just starting out, just mention CallOver • • Competetive weekly rates • • Special rates available for long term drivers •

Belmay Knowledge School 137 Ormside Street London SE15 1TF

OPTION 1 £7.50 per Day

ing, Don’t R just drop in!

OPTION 2

£20.00 per Week

OPTION 3

£60.00 per Month

Elite Knowledge School of Motoring Ltd

07565 955069 London’s Largest Licensed Taxi Driving School • Lessons arranged at times to suit you, including evenings. • A choice of locations for your lessons, Bethnal Green or Goodmayes. • A test centre of your choice – Goodmayes, Barnet, Hendon, Isleworth, Tolworth, Croydon and Borehamwood. • We give you An Assessments Lesson. • 3 x 2 Hours Lessons one of these at the Test, centre of your choice.

Opening Times Monday - Thursday 8am - 6pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Tuition also Available Daily Classes 11am - 12.30pm 2pm - 3.30pm

• Plus use of Taxi for Test. • We can also offer rental arrangements. • Plus a meeting with London Taxi Company. • You will be provided with the Highway Code, Cabology and Drivers Handbook.

Belmay Knowledge School Drop In Centre with Individual Call Over Booths Green Badge Knowledge students welcome Have you ever thought of being a Licensed London Taxi Driver? Then this can be your facility to learn "The Knowledge"

WE WANT YOU TO PASS YOUR TEST 1ST TIME

For more information, please call Garry or Dave on 07565955069 We will always return calls.

R E V O L L CA LAS

DGE AT E L W O N K THE

can accept no Ltd 2012 rtholomewnting. Never theless, the publishersed. The representation © Collins Ba pri y cau or loss thereb at the time of

ct nse Grid believed corre tail given, or for any expe is the National fice. on this map of this map are Stationar y Of nges in the de way. The grid The contents Her Majesty’s omissions, cha of a right of of or r nce olle ors de ntr err evi Co for th is no of the tpa on foo issi responsibility rm or pe ck h the of a road, tra rvey map wit Ordnance Su taken from the

SO HERE WE GO... As detailed a good few editions back, we were working on an exclusive offer where we could bring back to life the ‘Knowledge Atlas’ which stopped getting published simply because there were not enough of them sold as an A3 atlas. After discussing needs and musts with our own knowledge guys and girls, we have the now got exclusive rights to reproduce what was formerly known as the ‘Knowledge Atlas’ except this time we have made it durable for all weather and more importantly made it A4 size so it fits on your boards or in your carrier boxes. The map details one way systems and is up to date (or will be in time for January 2013) so make sure you don’t miss out on next years must have.

The owner of this product has given us the exclusive rights to reproduce it for the Knowledge but as they supply the ordinance survey to other mapping companies you are probably already using its detail when you plan your days/weeks runs! Think how much you will save on colour ink during your time on the Knowledge! We can also supply the map on A3 size for all you students that have the larger boards. We are going to run it centre fold over the coming months so you can laminate month on month so eventually you have a full map to pen your runs on when calling. It is the must have for every student especially during a rainy London! So far we have only given them to the point collectors and our delivery guys (all obviously on the Knowledge) as a little Christmas thank you. If you would like more details on the most durable map available whilst out on your bikes do visit www.thecallover.co.uk

ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR INTERESTS

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR The CallOver 27

THEY CALL THIS

A QUIET NIGHT

I was still serving my time as a butterboy, which seemed to last until the day before you retire, when this incident happened.

go no further due to a bomb explosion, I said, “Don’t be silly it was some youngsters, who caused the fire.” It was then the police officer escorted me to the restaurant, waited while I got paid off then escorted me into Soho Square, where I was introduced to some well dressed police officers. These were from a squad, dealing with all bombing and terrorist’s activity.

My passenger had requested to be dropped at Soho Square, so I was fighting my way through the evening rush hour traffic from the City of London to the West End. On a journey like this you need to just listen to your music and not let the heavy traffic cause you to get short tempered.

I was questioned at some length and then told to report to West End Central police station the next afternoon; this was after I had convinced them that it was not a bomb. They said they thought that it may have been a bottle of white spirit made into a Malotov Cocktail, as they had found another one under a car a bit further around the square ready to be lit.

So I was in a good mood, watching the pedestrians scurrying backwards and forwards checking shop windows for bargains or trying to dodge the traffic whilst crossing the roads. Nowhere in my mind was what I was going to experience in the next 30 minutes. I turned left off Oxford Street into Soho Street, then left into the top of Soho Square and stopped by the kerb. The passenger was collecting his belongings as I was looking around the surrounding area, especially to a group of youths behind the cars which had the rears parked against the kerb and centre park area. These youths seemed to be relieving their bladders against the boot of one car exactly adjacent to my taxi, laughing as though this was a jolly jape.

The car that was the original target was burnt out and it also destroyed the cars alongside. It was then that I decided that I would never buy a two door car, as the speed the fire had caught hold and exploded the petrol tank, nobody in the back seat would be able to get out alive. The next day I had to spend 3 hours at West End Central, answering questions and completing statements. All these hours of lost work and no money educated me into keeping my mouth shut.

It was then I noticed a flame on the roadway under the car boot, I yelled at my passenger to get back in the taxi, as he was half in and out of it. He looked at me as though I was mad, I shouted, “Look that car is on fire.”

You may think that this is not very British, but it is my neck on the line, if you have to go to court and your details are given out to all of the defendants.

He jumped back in and I drove very quickly to the other side of the square, within those seconds the flames had grown into a roaring bonfire. As I applied the brakes the petrol tank exploded and the boot of the car shot open.

Those days of driving around having bombs going off everywhere, was not very nice. It was at this time that my wife and I decided to go and see the Ideal Home Exhibition although this was a worrying time. We were on the upper level and had just passed a corner which had a rubbish bin, as we got about 50 to 60 foot away we heard a dull thud and a rush of wind blew against our clothes. It was a bomb and once again I was lucky, but another Dial-a-Cab driver who was a friend of mine, was just passing that corner with his child. The child received rather nasty leg injuries as they were thrown down the alleyway, luckily it was not fatal for them.

The passenger paid me off and I made a quick exit down Greek Street as the fire engines were racing out of their station in Shaftsbury Avenue, it was all happening so quick. But this was the time London was on high alert due to the bomb attacks, in the last month 4 times I had just gone past a location by a minute or two when a bomb went off. I was becoming very worried that my chances were being cut down and the next one may have my name on it.

So whilst you are out working always be aware of what is happening around you, it just could save your life.

As I reached Shaftsbury and Rupert a punters hand shot up and I was off to Kensington, through the heavy traffic again. It was as if my guardian angel was not working that night, as my current passenger alighted a couple ran up to my taxi in all their finery and asked to be taken to a restaurant in Frith Street near Soho Square.

If I do not get a chance may I take this time to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year.

Tom Whitbread

As I drove up Frith Street could see a couple of police officers in the road by Bateman Street. They stopped me and said I could

SIMRO LONDON TAXI RENTALS TXI’s from £150 PW TXII’s from £160 PW TX4’s from £200 PW T&J Taxi rescue backup Quality cabs, Air conditioned VIT O ME S AND AVA TROS ILA BLE

07534 125 454 07703 275 701

JACABS Everything for the Taxi Driver CAB RENTAL

TX1, TX2, TX4 FULL AND HALF FLAT

24HR FLEET BACK UP

Black Cab Only hailocab.com/drivers

Get signed up by real drivers.

MENU PRICING

FOR SERVICING AND DIAGNOSED FAULTS

FULL TYRE SERVICE

MAINTENANCE, SERVICE, TRACKING AND GEOMETRY TO LTC STANDARD

BODY SHOP AGENTS FOR TAXIWORLD SERVICE MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS Dersingham Road Garage Ltd Contact: Dersingham Road david@jacabs.co.uk Cricklewood 020 8452 2724 NW2 1SP All major Credit Cards Accepted

Call 020 7928 0907 or visit us at 51 Gt Suffolk St, SE1 0BS.

BUY THE BEST

No.1 SUPPLIER OF LONDON TAXI KNOWLEDGE SCOOTERS

Clo

10% OFF

thin g with & acc this esso ri leaf let es

Buy a Scooter,

we can supply complete with C.B.T Training, Helmet & Clothing

10% Deposit

upto 36 months

APR

John’s of Romford

46-52 London Road, Romford, Essex RM7 9QX

01708 726048 • 01708 727069

sales@johnsofromford.co.uk • www.johnsofromford.co.uk

CALLOVER

CHRISTMAS OUTING

Image via london.diarystar.co.uk

Christm

The festive period invariably results in frustrating journeys around London! There’s always a hold up here, a Christmas market blocking the way there, and you can’t help but wonder why you bothered going out in the first place. Having said that, The CallOver team needed an outing and a little treat, after the successful launch of our point sheets in November.

as in Co vent Ga mber 201 rden 2 – 2nd Ja nuary

7th Nove

FREE EN 2013 TRY ormatio n at: ww w.visitlo ndon.com

More inf

By the time we’d torn them away from Rudolf and co, we were ready to roam the Apple market stalls. It was the perfect opportunity to get some Christmas gifts that are a bit unusual and unique. After the extensive exploration of about every little corner of Covent Garden we probably could have given a few knowledge boys a run for their money, and were definitely ready to start drinking.

We hopped on a train and headed over to Liverpool Street. As if tempting fate we opted to bundle into a cab for the journey to Covent Garden, and yes it took a while. We made the most of it though, and played spot the knowledge boy. It was great to see you all out and about in the CallOver hi vis vest, even the numpty with his vest on inside out! Covent Garden has got something for everyone all year round but it’s one of my favourite places at Christmas. You’re greeted by a 30 foot reindeer topiary wearing a hat. How many times can you start a story with that sentence? Then, you’re free to wander the cobbled streets and spoilt for choice when it comes to attractions.

The night ended in Joe’s bar, the underground twin to Navajo Joe’s Mexican restaurant, with a lot of very strong cocktails. Turns out we weren’t sure which way was home after one too many drinks, so it was back in a cab for the journey to the station. As if to top off a great outing, the cabbie was one of our magazine subscribers and was chatting away about how much he loved the mag! We love to hear you like what we’re doing so thanks very much!

We wandered into the central market and paused to take in the Christmas decorations. The huge red and silver baubles hanging from the ceiling are pretty impressive, and the hustle and bustle going on around you hits you with a wave of festive spirit straight away. As we kept exploring we were suddenly aware that the girls were bee lining off on a tangent. Yes they’d seen the real reindeer and yes they were excessively excited!

All in all, the CallOver team thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we would definitely recommend Christmas Covent Garden to you lovely lot.

THE ONLY POINT SHEETS

CALLOVER FOR THOSE ON THE KNOWLEDGE

CALLOVER STAT SHEETS There is a misconception that the CallOver are aiming to contend with knowledge schools which was never and is not our objective. Yes we are doing point sheets but only because we were asked by so many of our loyal members, mostly of whom that can’t/don’t attend schools for one reason or another .We appreciate that it may influence certain matter within the existing knowledge schools available for students to choose from however, as we have stated from the outset, our aim/mission is to act on behalf of the 1000’s of you loyal students / members that are trying so very hard to become a member of the exclusive Green Badge owners club. Therefore we will continue in our aim to support the improvement for all students and also support all parts of the knowledge including the schools as much as they continue to support YOU! We have invested in computer systems and programs that we hope can aid those currently on the knowledge or thinking of joining. We have tried to centre our efforts around programs that all students / members are likely to have access to, either at home or at work. Take for instance the example overleaf, this program is excel based and was designed by one of the CallOver founders whilst he was learning the Knowledge. He very cleverly derived a way in which he

could sit at his office desk whilst on the early stages of the Knowledge, it appeared, to his then employers, that he was tapping away at his keyboard making them wealthier when in fact he was testing himself by making his own notes on points, set downs and turn arounds etc which he had manually noted from point sheets after he had run them on his bike. It also allowed him to use this system when the weather was as it is now and unable he was to go out and actually do the runs. It was with great amusement that he recently read a tweet after he put a live run up on twitter and one of our members got his maps out at work and ended up getting his knuckles wrapped because he believed the boss was out for the afternoon and returned unexpectedly! We will keep sending out the information to our subscribers but if you would like to receive the data so you can make your own notes as our founder did, then please feel free to contact the CallOver team. Another little gem the same founder had mentioned in the editors letter was the 320 runs which were displayed one line at a time at the press of a button, again on a regular computer pro-

gram that most people have. He would sit at his desk constantly testing himself. Due to the constant advancement of computer programming we are currently updating it but if you would like to test the program please contact us.

YOU PAY

Much of what we are doing, we hope, will be beneficial to you members but remember it was used by our founder members and their learning preferences. It is important to remember some of what we are sending out may not suit you but another one of our developments, such as the maps we negotiated exclusivity on (noted earlier in the magazine) will be of benefit to you.

£5.00

YOU PAY

£5.50

YOU PAY

We hope you can adapt the example overleaf and it helps you with your journey whilst on the Knowledge.

BY POPULAR DEMAND...

£6.00

YOU PAY

£6.50

YOU PAY

£7.00

YOU PAY Callover Weekly Stat Sheet E1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Whitechapel Station

Whitechapel Road

Blue Moon Academy Lamb Street Brushfields Street East Anglia University Gravel Lane Gravel Lane Shoreditch House Club

Mile End Road Commercial Street Commerical Street Middlesex Street Middlesex Street NO Bishops Gate/Commerical Street White Kennet Lane Ebor Street

NOTES Example LoL : Only next legal left turn is Cambridge Heath Road and first Right is Sydney st

YOU PAY

E10

1 Lea Valley Ice Rink 1 Sherrin Road

Lea Bridge Road

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1

Limehouse Police Station ASDA E14 New Providence Court Mudchute Station Poplar Coroner's Court Branch Road Greenwich View Enterprise Business Park Tiller Leisure Centre Docklands Rowing Club The Gun P.H Tiller Leisure Centre

West India Dock Road East Ferry Road East Ferry Road East Ferry Road Poplar High Street Commercial Road Millharbour Millharbour Tiller Road Westferry Road Coldharbour Tiller Road

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Brushfield Street Candle Factory Dalston Junction Station Hackney Town Hall Haggerston Station

Commercial Street Mare Street Kingsland High Street Mare Street Lee Street

Cape House Accomadation Cat & Mutton P.H Cecilia Road

Dalston Lane Broadway Market Dalston Lane

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Claremont Square Moorfields Eye Hospital Portal Restaurant Karl Marx Memorial Library Saddlers Well Theatre Lambs Passage Gee Street Court Fortune Street Montcalm Hotel Golden Lane Gee Street Court City & Guilds Electoral Commission Haberdashers Hall Sundial Court Slaughter & May Sundial Court Exmouth Market Old Finsbury Town Hall City University YMCA City Cottons Restaurant Rookery Hotel

Amwell Street Cayton Street St Johns Street Clerkenwell Green Rosebery Avenue Bun Hill Row Gee Street Whitecross Street Chiswell Street Fortune Street Gee Street Giltspur Street Lambs Passage Westsmith Field Chiswell Street Bunhill Row Chiswell Street Rosoman Street Rosebery Avenue Northhampton Square Errol Street Exmouth Market St Peters Lane

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1

Liverpool Street Station Hoxton Hotel Rivington Bar & Grill Sushi Samba Armourers & Braisiers Rivington Bar & Grill Salisbury House Brewers Hall Liverpool Street Station NSPCC Barbican Tower 42

Liverpool Street/Harwich Lane Great Eastern Streeet Rivington Street Heron Tower/Bishops Gate Coleman Street Rivington Street Finsbury Circus Aldermanbury Square Harwich Lane/Liverpool Street Curtain Road Silk Street Old Broad Street

1 2 2 1

Custom House Sugar Quay Plantation Place The Gherkin

Water Lane/Lower Thames Street Lower Thames Street Fenchurch Street St Mary Axe

Ruckholt Road

E14

EC1

EC2

EC3

www.thecallover.co.uk

£7.50

Have you subscribed for next month?.....................

£8.00

COMING IN NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE...

THE MUCH AWAITED THE EXCLUSIVE Q&A WITH THE HEAD EXAMINER AT TFL Questions include...

Not only does she sit the other side of the glass but she also sits the other side of the table...

• How do you prepare for testing the students? • How has the Map Test improved when it was changed? • What date did you pass out? • How long did it take you? • What advice would you give students to progress themselves on the knowledge?

The much awaited questions asked by YOU the future cabbies currently pounding the streets of London, will be in next month’s issue... The questions asked by YOU are answered by the head examiner...

Make sure you get the first edition of The CallOver of 2013 and start the year on the front foot.

You asked and we delivered...

Transport for London CUSTOMERS ENCOURAGED TO PLAN AHEAD THIS FESTIVE SEASON CONGESTION CHARGE From Tuesday 25 December until Tuesday 1 January inclusive, the central London Congestion Charge will be suspended and motorists will not have to pay.

and Ealing Broadway via West Acton and Ealing Common (for District and Piccadilly lines). There will also be no services between Hainault and Woodford. Fairlop, Roding Valley, Chigwell and Grange Hill stations will be closed.

ROADS Under the London Permit Scheme, TfL manages roadworks on its network to reduce their impact on road users. Over the Christmas period roadworks will not be taking place close to London’s shopping centres and other busy areas. On other parts of the network, traffic levels will be lighter than usual, making this a good time to carry out essential maintenance and utility works. The works being carried out over the Christmas period include utility works at Bishopsgate (A10) and Camomile Street (A1211) and Seven Sisters Road (A503) at Finsbury Park. Road users are advised to check for disruptions on the TfL website www.tfl.gov.uk/livetravelnews

On the District line, there will be no service between Earl’s Court and Kensington (Olympia). Upminster Bridge and Kensington (Olympia) stations will be closed. Cannon Street station will be closed on the District and Circle lines.

BARCLAYS CYCLE HIRE Barclays Cycle Hire bikes will be available for hire throughout the festive period although some docking stations may not be in use particularly on New Year’s Eve. For the latest information on docking station availability, users should check online at: www.tfl.gov.uk/barclayscyclehire

There will be no service on the Northern line between Charing Cross to East Finchley and Edgware. No service between Kennington (via Bank) and East Finchley and Edgware. Mill Hill station will be closed.

CHRISTMAS EVE, MONDAY 24 DECEMBER A Saturday service will operate on the bus network with some exceptions. Routes 521 will operate a reduced weekday service. Route X68 will operate a normal weekday service.There will be no night buses and on 24 hour routes, buses will operate until just after midnight.

There will be no services on the London Overground network, however, some interchange stations will be open.

On the Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, Farringdon station will be closed. There will be no service on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate before 10:45 and after 19:00. There will also be no Chiltern Railways service.

The Waterloo & City line will be closed.

Services on the DLR will operate between 08:30 and 23:30. However, due to engineering works replacement, buses will operate between Canning Town and Beckton, and Tower Gateway and Bank until Sunday 30 December.

A Saturday service will operate on the Tube, with reduced services on all lines after 19.00, and last trains at Sunday times. Some stations will be closed, so passengers are advised to check the website.

A Sunday service will operate on London Tramlink between 08:30 and 17:00 with additional services between East Croydon and Wimbledon.

On the DLR, a modified service will operate finishing around 23:30. NEW YEAR’S EVE Revellers who want to see in the New Year in central London are advised to plan ahead and be prepared for large crowds, particularly if they want to watch the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Each year the display at the EDF Energy London Eye attracts a capacity crowd, who have a long wait in the designated viewing areas along the Thames. There is limited space with the viewing areas likely to be full by 9pm or 10pm. Access to each zone will be closed as soon as it is full. The display can also be watched live on television and people with young children may wish to consider celebrating nearer to home. For more information go to www.london.gov.uk/nye.

London Overground will operate a Saturday service with last trains departing around 21:30. On London Tramlink, a Saturday service will operate, but with a reduced timetable from 20:00. CHRISTMAS DAY, TUESDAY 25 DECEMBER There will be no services running on the Tube, London Buses, DLR, London Tramlink or London Overground. BOXING DAY, WEDNESDAY 26 DECEMBER A normal Sunday service will operate on buses. This year, all 24 hour buses will enter service earlier by 06:00.

NEW YEAR’S DAY Buses will operate a Saturday service throughout the day. A reduced Tube service will operate on all lines between 05:00 and 11:00, every 10-20 minutes in the central area and every 20-30 minutes on the branches. For the rest of the day, a reduced service will operate with last train at Saturday times.

From 08:30, a reduced service will operate on all Tube lines with last trains at Sunday times. Some engineering works will be taking place which means some stations or short sections of lines will be closed. Marylebone and South Kenton stations on the Bakerloo line and North Ealing station on the Piccadilly line will be closed.

On the DLR, services will operate every 15 minutes until midday when a 10 minute frequency will operate until 00:30. A Saturday service will operate on the London Overground. A Sunday service will operate on the London Tramlink from 04:30.

There will be no service between North Acton and Ealing Broadway on the Central line. Replacement buses will operate between North Acton

MERCEDES VITO TAXIS • SERVICING AND REPAIRS CARRIED OUT WHILE YOU WAIT

• BRAKE PADS AND DISCS REPLACED USING GENUINE PARTS

• RUNNING REPAIRS AND DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS CARRIED OUT

• LOW COST MENU PRICED SERVICING FROM £105.00+ VAT USING GENUINE MERCEDES BENZ PARTS AND FULLY SYNTHETIC OILS

• QUALIFIED MERCEDES TECHNICIANS • REPORT AND CHECKS CARRIED OUT ON REAR STEERING • AIR CONDITIONING SERVICING

A&N TAXI REPAIRS

• WE GUARANTEE TO BEAT ANY PRICE LIKE FOR LIKE

0207 033 6638 2a Three Colts Lane Bethnal Green E2 6JL Mon – Fri 7am – 7pm • Sat 8am – 3pm

CRIMBO

IS COMING!

Hello Knowledge Disciples! So, fireworks have fizzled out, Halloween has spooked, and X Factor is nearing its inexorable dismal climax. This can only mean one thing – Crimbo is coming! As I write, Family Mog is busy planning, preparing, primping, present-gathering and doing many other things not just beginning with P in order to make our usual Christmas Chaos happen. A BRAND NEW OLD SLEIGH Christmas has kind of come early for me this year. I say kind of, because I paid for my own new present. I have... drumroll please... a lovely new scooter of my very own, kind of. I say kind of again because it’s not new, just new to me. In fact it’s not new at all – it’s 12 years old. Mr Moggy and I realised since I’ve been pointing hard that we simply cannot share the lovely LC, trusty as she is, and my off- road bike is just too heavy for pointing. It was ok for runs, but I find myself too exhausted before I get too cold, and that’s saying something. It almost killed me trying to do a solid day’s pointing. My poor clutch hand was screaming bluer murder than my numb blue toes! After much fuss I bought the one thing I could see that had any element of cool to it – a blue C90 Cub called Elvis! He’s in fairly good nick, is as cheap as chips, easy to care for – perfect. I have to admit though, the motorway stretch of my Knowledge Commute, can be a bit hairy - the wind can pretty much stop you dead, or lift you sideways, or give you a comedy terminal weave, but I don’t have to go that far. I was inspired by The Knowledge film (1979 – seventies kitsch and a must for all Knowledge Boys and Girls), but I haven’t yet put any Bunny Girl stickers on it! So far I love the little Cub, I already have a huge affinity for him, and I will keep you posted with how I get on. Seeing as not so long ago I swore blind I wouldn’t be seen dead on a scooter and now I relish every one of the 7 brake horsepower (downhill), I realise yet again the Knowledge has changed me in more ways than one. A WORD OF CHRISTMAS WARNING It’s not all sleigh rides and candy canes though – I recently had a brush with the Law that brought me back down to earth with a scary bump. Last week, returning in a friend’s car from a girly day shopping with obligatory pub lunch, we were pulled over by the Fuzz, I think because she was faffing around changing lanes. As we pulled up, she looked at me, eyes wide with fear, and said “I’ve been drinking, this is it!” My heart skipped a beat as I remembered the seemingly harmless small glass of wine at lunch. I heard the inevitable “I can smell alcohol on your breath…” and saw the stark word FAIL on the breathalyser. She looked at me in terror as she was arrested, placed in a van and taken to the nick. It felt so horrible. As I waited for some news in the police reception,

I thought over and over again what it would mean to lose my licence. My current job, all my hard-fought Knowledge work would be gone, And with it my cabbie dreams, then my mortgage – it’s serious as that when you’re faced with it. Thankfully, after what seemed like years, (45 mins actually), she came bursting out having blown well under the legal limit on the big machine in the station, shaky but free to go. That stressful non-event has made a big impression on me though you just DON’T know how alcohol will affect you. There is no way of telling how many units YOU can have, one drink could be too much, even affecting you the next day. At the risk of sounding preachy, please remember that over Christmas! MOTIVATING SPIRITS As if you didn’t have enough to do fattening your goose and cleaning your chimney ready for the Man himself to descend, there is the small matter of your continuing studies. My callover partner and I are happily in agreement that during this period there will inevitably be more parties and therefore hangovers, family and therefore arguments, cooking and therefore cleaning up. In short, there will not be as much time for meeting up, but we have devised a plan to ensure we keep motivating each other. Here are our tips for keeping on top of things: • Don’t be afraid of being knocked back – if you have a few spare hours always text to see if the other is free – for every three times it can’t be done the fourth might be perfect. • Make a concerted effort to meet up regularly – absolutely at least once a week for us part timers,more if you are full time obviously. • More work will have to be done on our own so try to set goals together so you can at least feel guilty about fessing up if you don’t reach them! • Don’t beat yourself up for enjoying yourself – if only for just this one time of year remember that any hiatus is only temporary. In January everything will calm down and you can get back on it like car bonnet! • Make the most of the quiet roads on bank holidays, and who knows, the Knowledge might give you the perfect excuse to get out of the house and away from the in laws! All that’s left is to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! – You never know, Santa might just bring you a green badge! Mog

01277 231 714

01277 231 814

callover@westburyconsultancy.com

W: westburyconsultancy.com

Westbury Consultancy

Chartered Accountants

What we offer... 

Free initial consultation worth over £150.00. This can be done over the phone or in the comfort of our offices.



Assistance with all registration with HM Revenue & Customs including CWF1 & CA5601 and a free income and expenditure record system.



Preparation of all accounting records from the information supplied to us.



Free tax review by a senior partner to ensure all allowances are fully utilised to make sure you are, and continue to be tax efficient.



Final review of the annual accounts and tax return. Online submission to HM Revenue & Customs.



We return a file containing everything you should store in case of an HMRC enquiry.



We are qualified to write to banks, building societies and other lenders to help assist with any personal borrowing you may need. We can also assist and deal with any loss of earnings claims due to road accidents etc.



We will deal directly with HM Revenue & Customs on your behalf in the event of any enquiry, leaving you to work and live without the worry.

Would you like a fare to choose an unlicensed mini cab over you? Westbury are registered and regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales so you can be assured that your finances are in capable hands.

Would you drive your cab without insurance? Westbury have a full professional indemnity insurance policy, ensuring no matter what happens you are always covered.

Would you drive your cab after an alcoholic drink? Everyone has an opinion at the pub, but would you rely on it? You can call us for free advice if there is anything you are unsure about.

CALLOVER READER EXCLUSIVE OFFER First year tax return is free for all Callover readers* Fixed fee of £239.00 for 5 years for sole traders Fixed fee of £584.00 for 5 years for limited companies To obtain this great deal simply contact us via the following:

T: 01277 231 714

E: callover@westburyconsultancy.com

Terms & conditions apply. * First year is chargeable should you leave before completion of the second years accounts. All prices are inclusive of VAT.

Autumn Budget: What effects you? As you may have heard recently in the Autumn budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that the personal allowance (the amount you can earn tax free) will increase to £9,440.00 from 6th April 2013.

How Tax-i-fficient are you? In this months accounts section we catch up with Westbury Consultancy Chartered Accountants to ask what is the purpose of an accountant? Last month we were inundated with ques-

provide the required documentation in or-

tions from readers asking what is the pur-

der to obtain the borrowing.

pose of an accountant.

One of the main reasons why a number of

An accountant is not required by law and an

people use an accountant is for peace of

individual can complete there personal tax

mind. When an accountant obtains your

return themselves. However any good ac-

figures they will ensure all the relevant ex-

countant will know the correct allowances

penses are claimed and build up a file with

and expenses which you can claim to ensure

detailed schedules of both income and ex-

you pay the lowest amount of tax . Yet at

penses. These will provide a quick summary

the same time ensure you claim only allowa-

for earnings year on year. You are also able

ble expenses to avoiding any potential con-

to appoint an “agent” to HM Revenue &

flict with HM Revenue & Customs.

Custom which will allow your account ant to

Accountants will not only prepare and submit your Self Assessment Tax Return to the relevant authorities, they should provide

be the main point of contact should any queries arise, which allows you to concentrate on earning money.

Within the budget they also announced that they are cancelling the 3.02 pence per litre fuel duty increase that was planned for 1 January 2013. The 2013-14 increase will be deferred to 1 September 2013 – meaning fuel duty will have been frozen for nearly two and a half years.

Edward Slater FCA Westbury Consultancy Edward Slater has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales since 1974. He is now offering his expertise to all Callover readers on a monthly basis and is open to all your questions, no matter how trivial they may seem! Please forward any question to info@thecallover.com. We will then anonymously select questions to be answered each month by Ed.

ongoing support and key advice regarding items such as purchasing, leasing or even hiring a Taxi, which in turn should save you more money than any fees charged by the accountant. In the current climate, obtaining funds from a bank or building society is becoming more and more difficult. If you are applying for a mortgage or finance many lenders will, as a matter of course, require an accountants reference or certificate to confirm your earnings and ability to service the payments. If you complete your annual Self Assessments Tax Return yourself you may not be able to

Question from the knowledge... Q: Should I open a separate bank accounts when I pass out? As a sole trader, there is no obligation to open a separate bank account to manage your business finances. However in our experience keeping your business records separate from your personal current account will reduce any confusion when completing your Self Assessment Tax Return, which in turn will keep your accountancy fees as low as possible. If you are one of the many people who are selected by HM Revenue & Customs for an investigation, keeping separate records will ensure they are easily able to see the business records in one place without them potentially, getting confused with your personal records.

CAN YOU GUESS

THIS MONTHS WINNER?

IS THIS YOU? The registration below has been spotted by our team, but sadly the owner was not registered with CallOver! Is this you? Then get in touch at info@thecallover.co.uk

HN54 NMA 40

THE

KNOWLEDGE COLLEGE

POLICE STATIONS MATCH UP THE HALL NAMES WITH THEIR CORRECT ADDRESS! Upminster •

•

55-59 Church Road, ASHFORD Middlesex TW15

Kennington •

•

168 High Street, Banstead, Surrey SM7

Ashford •

•

6 Ripple Road, Barking, Essex IG11

Banstead •

•

5 Frobisher Passage, LONDON E14

Barking •

•

23 Tarling Road, LONDON E16

Plaistow •

•

Carey Way,Wembley, Middlesex HA9

Canning Town •

•

Bromley Road, Catford, LONDON SE6

Carey Way •

•

193 Ballards Lane, LONDON N3

Catford •

•

49 Kennington Road, LONDON SE1

Finchley •

•

12A Holmes Road, LONDON NW5

Tottenham •

•

101 Ladbroke Road, LONDON W11

Winchmore Hill •

•

444 Barking Road, LONDON E13

Kentish Town •

•

The Terrace, Shenley, Radlett, Herts. WD7

Canary Wharf •

•

252-258 Uxbridge Road, LONDON W12

Notting Hill •

•

18 West Ham Lane, LONDON E15

Shenley •

•

101 Streatham High Road, LONDON SW16

Woodford •

•

251 Mitcham Road, LONDON SW17

Tower Bridge •

•

398 High Road, Tottenham, LONDON N17

Shepherds Bush •

•

56 Tottenham Court Road, LONDON W1P

Stratford •

•

209 Tooley Street, LONDON SE1

Streatham •

•

76 Trinity Road, LONDON SW17

Tooting •

•

223 St. Mary’s Lane, Upminster, Essex

Tottenham Court Road •

•

1 Warwick Place, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8

Trinity Road •

•

49-51 Kennington Road, LONDON SE1 7QA

Uxbridge •

•

96 High Road, LONDON NW10

Vauxhall •

•

15 Queen’s Road, LONDON SW19

Willesden Green •

•

687 Green Lanes, LONDON N21

Wimbledon •

•

509 High Road, Woodford Green, Essex

THE

KNOWLEDGE COLLEGE

WORDSEARCH SQUARES ONES TO LOOK OUT FOR Addington Bedford Cambridge Bishops Dolphin Empire Gordon Graphite Harpley Holliday Ivory Lucas Mortimer Norfolk Orange Rangers Sunlight Trevor Woburn

TRUE OR FALSE?

1. Is the Mamma Mia show being shown at Lyceum Theatre

4. Pollocks Toy museum is located on Whitfield Street, W1

2. The Loft is the restaurant that is in the Mercure Hotel

5. Saint Lukes Hospital is located on View Road, N6

3. Christchurch Square is located at Victoria Park Road, E9

6. Snow Hill Police Station is in postal code area of EC2

THE

KNOWLEDGE COLLEGE

CROSSWORD CLUES

1 2

ACROSS

2. W hat Road would I find Barclays St John’s wood branch (NW8) 3. What road is Barrio North Bar located 5. I f I’m leaving Hallgate Road (NW8) what road am I entering onto 6. What street is Waterloo East Station located 7. When leaving Grosvenor House what street is the first left? 8. What restaurant is located at 58 Great Marlborough Street 9. What is the name of the hall located next to the Royal Music Acadamy in Marylebone 11. I f leaving Acadamty court on Chancery Lane what is my first legal left turn 12. Where is southbank international school located

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

DOWN

1. W here is Wellington Hotel (SW1) located 4. W hat street is New Camdem Chapel located 8. W hat street is the first left as you leave Royal China Club 10. W hat street do you use to drop the Old Vic on left

CAN YOU SPOT ALL 4 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PHOTOS?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

REA D INC ERSHIP EVE REASIN R G NOW Y MON TH! EVEN DIS BET

Want to advertise?

TRIB

UTIO TER N! a

See p

ge 11

THE ONLY MAGAZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE ON THE KNOWLEDGE

01245 850949

info@thecallover.co.uk

TRUE OR FALSE ANSWERS 1. FALSE Novello Theatre 2. TRUE 3. TRUE 4. TRUE 5. FALSE Woodside Avenue, N10 6. FALSE EC1

THE KNOWLEDGE COLLEGE ANSWERS CROSSWORD (ACROSS) 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

CIRCUS ESSEX HALL SANDELL MOUNT BIBIGO DUKESHALL

11. HIGHHOLBORN 12. GREATPORTLANDPLACE

(DOWN)

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

1. VINCENTSQUARE 4. PLENDER 8. BLANFORD 10. WEBBER

Classifieds BIKES FOR SALE

TAXIS FOR SALE

Yamaha Cygnus NXC125 125CC scooter £2,699 New unregistered, Supplied with Carrier, Box and Clipboard, 12 Months road tax, 24 months warranty 12 months RAC cover, £99 deposit, 0 Miles All keys, service book, owners book and registration document. Part exchange welcomed Free local delivery, nationwide from £99 08446 638 184

Taxi TX1 1998 R-reg £1,800 TX1 Silver Cab/Taxi 1998 R-reg Taxed for 6 months and mot till November 2013. Has a very good Nissan engine with an automatic gearbox and overdrive. Overall taxi is in good shape inside and out, I have posted pictures for your convenience. 7 seater, disabled ramp, electric windows, A/C, central locking, private plate. 155,000 miles. This cab has wedding hire potential. Great business tool, advertise your business for free, versatile family transport, economical to maintain and insure, carries as much as a van. Used as daily transport at this current time. 07956 820 391

Honda SH 125 £1295 09 model, top box, knowledge board, FSH Phone richard on 07988 750 331 Yamaha Cygnus X, 125cc, 2009 Perfect Knowledge Bike £1,150 I’m selling bike as I’ve completed the Knowledge of London and no longer require it. I bought it from new and it’s been a great work horse for me. I used it not just for the Knowledge but also to commute in to town. It’s due an MOT but I didn’t get it done as the bike hit the 3 year old mark after I’d finished using it. I have been told it’ll pass no probs and I had no problems with it since I bought it. I’m chucking in all the extras listed above as I won’t need them now. 07944 123 070

2008 London Taxi TX4 £13,995 HPI Clear, Registered 12/2008, 140000 Genuine miles Owned since new so only had one owner Full Comprehensive Service History (Maintained at LTI all its life) Just had major service including cambelt and gearbox oil change. The taxi has been owned by myself since new and has been well looked after. Its had no expense spared, serviced regularly and had everything done. It is in good condition and is still being used. 07813 214 669

TO ADVERTISE HERE SEND YOUR DETAILS TO: info@thecallover.co.uk 45

Directory Diff Doctor

SPECIALISTS IN LICENSED TAXIS

• Repair Taxi Diffs • Half shaft bearings while you wait Tel: 020

8556 3134

Unit 11, Period Works, 1 Lammas Road, London E10 7QT

CABS TO RENT (Mitcham Based) ‘N Reg to 09 Reg 24-Hour AA Recovery • Spare cab available NEW DRIVERS WELCOME

Call Danny on

01737 556193 or (M) 07956 463040

TA X I C R A S H R E P A I R S

HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT?

THEN LOOK NO FURTHER!

Our team of specialists are here to help!

TEL: 020 7739 2435 46

SUBSCRIBE HERE Simply fill out your details, then post this coupon back to the address below to receive CallOver delivered directly! First Name:

THE ONLY MAGAZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE ON THE KNOWLEDGE

Surname:

Bike Reg No: Stage Age Group

Map

56 Days

28 Days

21 Days

Suburbs

-25

25-35

36-45

46-55

56+

Address:

Postcode: Email: Please complete these details. You can drop this form into A&N Repairs (See page 36), subscribe online at www.thecallover.co.uk or send it by post to: CallOver Subscriptions, Unit 5, Bolding Hatch Business Centre, Bishops Stortford Road, Roxwell, Essex, CM1 4LF

THE ONLY MAGAZINE

CALLOVER FOR THOSE ON THE KNOWLEDGE

ARE RECRUITING! Need a part time job, just to give you that little bit extra every month. Well CallOver are recruiting, and we are looking for a K boy or girl who will be able to work a couple of days a week. CallOver is growing bigger every week so give us a call and it might just be your lucky day! Doing a job that fits around the knowledge sounds to good to be true... but it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t we promise! Contact our team on info@thecallover.co.uk and we will be able to go through further details. 47

1665 Westminster Ad A4 15.11.12:Layout 1

15/11/12

14:35

Page 1

The Westminster Taxi Policy

This policy is managed by local agents and branches who have all been involved in the taxi trade business in some form. For details of your nearest office please telephone us on:

0845 373 1336 Or visit our website: www.mywestminsterinsurance.com

Westminster Insurance is a trading name of Tradex Insurance Co Ltd. Tradex Insurance Company Ltd is regulated and authorised by the Financial Services Authority No. 202917. Registered Office: Victory House 7 Selsdon Way London E14 9GL. Registered No. 2983873. 1665/151112