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BIRD'S EYE VIEW

6th March 1964, Page 111
6th March 1964
Page 111
Page 111, 6th March 1964 — BIRD'S EYE VIEW
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

By The Hawk

Prime Minister as Guest 7 If the Socialists get into power at the election, there is more than a chance that the London Transport Managers Club will bring off a real coup and have Harold Wilson speaking to them. Desperate for facts about Labour's transport policy—aren't we all?— the T.M.C. last winter invited George Strauss (official spokesman on transport matters) to speak. He hedged. Last week they invited Bessie Braddock. She hedged.

Now I can reveal that the London T.M.C. wrote to Harold Wilson—and got what I consider to be a genuine offer. The Socialist leader wrote back at considerable length, regretting that he could not find time before the election. But, he said, he would be willing to reconsider the matter afterwards.

No Policy Can it really be that the Socialists have no transport plans laid? Mrs. Braddock said several times that they had to take account of changing conditions. Speaking to her afterwards one or two people got the distinct impression, however, that no plans were available for Socialists to talk about.

Next President? It seems highly likely that

Albert Searle (who recently was presented with a silver cigarette box for his services) will be the next national president of the Transport Managers Club. It is London's turn to nominate a candidate, and they have named Albert. We will know for sure after the T.M.C. annual conference in Blackpool on April 10.

Ride a Tyre! Anybody going to the 1964-65 New York World's Fair? If so it looks as if they will see some very interesting sights. One of these will be a tyre—but a tyre with a difference—the difference being that it is to be 80 ft. high and will carry a total of 96 passengers! The tyre being built by the United States Rubber Company, is being fabricated of Vibrin polyester resin reinforced with glass fibre. It is to be moulded in sections which will be built onto a steel framework encasing the moving mechanism, and a coating of coloured polyester resin will give the appearance of rubber—and white-walls. Barrel-shaped gondolas will move around the circumference of the giant tyre. each gondola having a carrying capacity of four.

L.D.O.Y. at Southall I, for one, applaud the news that, despite the fact that the R.H.A. cannot sponsor it, there will after all be a London round of the L.D.O.Y. competition. With the A.E.C. works at Southall as the venue (complete with its excellent catering services which

are to be made available, plus help from some of the top transport minds at Schweppes, Shell-Mex and Tate and Lyle —not forgetting the professional hauliers who are taking an interest) it looks as though at long last this will be an event worthy of the capital.

For several years past, the burden for running this round had fallen upon Ron Waite (late of the R.H.A.) and a handful of willing helpers who did their best with very little encouragement from local authorities or the police. One of the biggest headaches was to find a suitable site for the competition. The new committee had the choice of three grounds—Wimbledon Stadium, the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich and A.E.C. at Southall. A.E.C. was chosen because of the excellent facilities there. It's going to look funny though, to see a load of " foreign " vehicles, such as Leylands and Fords, running around the A.E.C. works!

Surprise, Surprise! The announcement of the engagement of John Ambler, a director of the Atlas Express Co. Ltd., to Princess Margaretha of Sweden appears to have come as a big surprise to all and sundry. Apparently even Mr. Ambler's fellow directors knew nothing of the romance. John Ambler (39) as well as being prominent in transport circles in this country, is also a man who has wide knowledge of the Continent. It is interesting to recall that in an article in The Commercial Motor on October 13, 1960, describing the activities of Eurofreight Ltd.—which he created—John was described as "one of the most enterprising and vivid personalities in British transport today ". No less true in March, 1963, I'll warrant.

understand that the wedding is likely to take place this autumn in Stockholm!' I'm quite sure that everybody in the industry wishes John Ambler and the Princess lasting happiness. But one thing puzzles me. How was it that John's fellow director, security-conscious Jack Brown didn't know anything about all this?


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