IN THE NEWS


PLYMOUTH CABBIE’S LAST FARE AFTER 40 YEARS IN THE CITY


The cabbies had clubbed together to raise £235 for Mickey and bring it to him with a retirement card. Mickey, 64, told the Plymouth Herald: “It was quite a surprise, but taxi drivers are a band of brothers. It was a nice send-off from the boys.


Cabbies say goodbye to Mickey Lavis. Photo courtesy of the Plymouth Herald


You’ll never guess who he’s had in the back of his cab... Actress Ruth Madoc and comedians Russ Abbott and Les Dawson.


But Plymouth black cab driver Mickey Lavis has had to retire after 40 years behind the wheel due to painful arthritis in his


feet, hands and elbow. Mickey was expecting one of his former col- leagues to pop in for a cup of tea with him and his wife Sue at their home, but you could have knocked him down with a feather when not one but ten cabs turned up in con- voy, tooting their horns.


“I’ve always rented a taxi and used it for work and as our own vehicle. I’ll put the money towards a little car so we can still get around.”


Cabbie Scott Alston said: “Mickey was very pleased to see us and comforted to know we are still thinking of him. He has always had a funny story to tell and a smile on his face. There is a lot of camaraderie among black cab drivers.”


AGE NO BARRIER TO CARMARTHENSHIRE TAXIS


Two senior taxi drivers from Llanelli have been given permission to carry on driving. Carmarthenshire Council’s conditions of licence for hackney carriage and private hire drivers requires them to be aged


between 21 and 70. But according to the Llanelli Star, 70-year- old John Griffiths, of from New Dock, and 71-year-old William Clement, from Llan- gennech both had their licences renewed after they produced


medical certificates confirming they were fit to carry on driving. Mmm...Just as well this result was posi- tive, as the legislation does not provide for a maximum age restric- tion for drivers - only minimum. - Ed


DERBY DRIVER TRAPPED UNDER CAB FEARED HE WOULD DIE


A taxi driver said he was convinced he was going to die after he became trapped underneath his vehicle. Neighbours rushed to Jim Taylor’s rescue after his taxi fell on him as he attempted to carry out repairs. The yellow cab was being held up by jacks, but they slipped when Mr Taylor whacked its starter


motor with a hammer. The vehicle fell down on to Mr Taylor’s chest, leaving him trapped underneath the pas- senger side outside his home in Sinfin. Mr Taylor told the Derby Telegraph: “After it had fallen on top of me I couldn’t breathe. I thought I’d had it. The firefighters told me the taxi weighs two and a half tonnes and that,


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had it not been for my large frame, I would be dead.” Mr Taylor said he was under the taxi “gasp- ing” for air for five minutes. Neighbours managed to lift the cab off him using a piece of wood so he could wriggle out. The 47-year-old was taken to hospital. He escaped with “heavy bruising”.


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