Taxi Driver Online

We seem to be drifting into the past history of National Taxi Associations.

Anyone (John) was to give us uniformed forumites a rundown of the history?

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

I'll give you the benefit of what little I know, and hope that its factual. If not, i'm sure someone will correct me.

The National federation was formed around the 1960's by about six associations, I think. Manchester being one of the founder members. The very first Meeting was held at Manchester Belle Vue and the very first chairman was from the Manchester Cab Trade.

Manchester also chaired the association for six years in the 80's, under HM. It was under Harold's leadership that the Trade found an ally in Lord Renton. Harold went to see Lord renton at his home in Huntingdon and from what I can gather Lord Renton was very accommodating. Lord Renton was sympathetic to the Taxi trade and was a willing helper. I wasn't aware any money changed hands and if it was suggested to HM that it was he would deny it.

The discovery of Lord Renton came about by chance. HM's secratery was introduced to Lord Renton by John Major MP. I suspect you can see the Huntingdon Connection. The headquarters of the National Federation was situated in Huntingdon. John Major was the Conservative MP for Huntingdon and Lord Renton was also a former MP for Huntingdonshire. Lord Renton will be in his nineties now.

I think Manchester TOA used to pay three grand a year into the National Federation. I don't know about the other areas.

Natfed Ceased as an organisation in 1996. In 1997 the National Taxi association was formed and as far as I know it was formed by the same people who were in charge of NATFED, at the time NATFED ceased as an organisation.

Manchester didn't rejoined because certain people were against it. However, necessity forms strange bed fellows and because the NTA has consultative rights with the Government, In 2003 Manchester thought it would be prudent to rejoin. Manchester is now part of region 5.

Our present TODA Chairman was a regular at the NATFED AGM along with HM, who is now retired.

NATFED also produced a magazine, as far as I can remeber it was heavily influenced by what was going on in other regions and not so much about what was happening in the Northwest.

That's about the best I can do. If I'm wrong on any points then I stand corrected but I'm making it clear that any errors are not intentional.

Best wishes.

John Davies.

Now John, who do we have to ring up to check?

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IDFIMH

Thanks John

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry