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Book a Licensed London Black Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612
Scientists have uncovered evidence for an inbuilt “sat-nav” system in the brains of London taxi drivers.
They used magnetic scanners to explore the brain activity of taxi drivers as they navigated their way through a virtual simulation of London’s streets.
Different brain regions were activated as they considered route options, spotted familiar landmarks or thought about their customers.
The research was presented at the BA Science Festival last year.
Earlier studies had shown that taxi drivers have a larger hippocampus – a region of the brain that plays an important role in navigation.
Their brains even “grow on the job” as they build up detailed information needed to find their way around London’s labyrinth of streets – information famously referred to as “The Knowledge”.
“We were keen to go beyond brain structure – and see what activity is going on inside the brains of taxi drivers while they are doing their job,” said Dr Hugo Spiers from University College London.
The scientists used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to obtain “minute by minute” brain images from 20 taxi drivers as they delivered customers to destinations on “virtual jobs”.
The scientists adapted the Playstation2 game “Getaway” to bring the streets of London into the scanner.
After the scan – and without prior warning – the drivers watched a replay of their performance and reported what they had been thinking at each stage.
“We tried to peel out the common thoughts that taxi drivers tend to have as they drive through the city, and then tie them down to a particular time and place,” said Dr Spiers.
The series of scans revealed a complex choreography of brain activity as the taxi drivers responded to different scenarios.
The hippocampus was only active when the taxi drivers initially planned their route, or if they had to completely change their destination during the course of the journey.
The scientists saw activity in a different brain region when the drivers came across an unexpected situation – for example, a blocked-off junction.
Another part of the brain helped taxi drivers to track how close they were to the endpoint of their journey; like a metal detector, its activity increased when they were closer to their goal.
Changes also occurred in brain regions that are important in social behaviour.
Taxi driving is not just about navigation: “Drivers do obsess occasionally about what their customers are thinking,” said Dr Spiers.
Animals use a number of different mechanisms to navigate – the Sun’s polarized light rays, the Earth’s magnetic fields and the position of the stars.
This research provides new information about the specific roles of areas within the brains of expert human navigators.
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To Book a Licensed London Black Taxi:
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www.londonblacktaxis.net
+44 (0)7779 336 612
Book a Licensed London Black Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612
Heron International has begun development of Heron Tower at 110 Bishopsgate in the City of London.
The unfinished Heron Tower is already set to be the tallest London attraction in the city.
Still under construction, Heron Tower near London Bridge already stands head and shoulders above Tower 42 in the City.
The new office building will be completed by the first quarter 2011. Heron Tower is a multi-occupied building which will provide world class office space, setting the standards for offices of the future.
The glass structure will stand at an impressive 246 metres when it is finished, and will be the tallest building in the UK, surpassing Canada Square’s Canary Wharf.
Its design is both visionary and environmentally focused. Heron Tower has been designed by the leading international architectural practice Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), a firm recognised for design excellence and innovation in tower buildings.
Heron Tower, for better or worse, will alter the appearance of the London skyline for years to come.
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To Book a Licensed London Black Taxi:
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www.londonblacktaxis.net
+44 (0)7779 336 612
Book a Licensed London Black Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612
Intelligent Energy, a leading clean power systems company, has developed a hydrogen fuel cell that they say will be installed into a fleet of zero emission London taxis by 2012–a programme part funded by the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board.
The fuel cell powered vehicles will include batteries to allow them to operate as hybrid vehicles for a day without refueling. Drivers of these TX4 black cabs will be able to refuel in a few minutes using hydrogen depots situated around central London.
Intelligent Energy says that the new cabs will be capable of achieving speeds of up to 75 miles per hour and faster acceleration than standard taxis, despite being emission-free. They will be able to operate in temperatures as low as -20°C. (It doesn’t get that cold in London; it only feels that way sometimes!)
“The black cab is an internationally recognised and iconic symbol of London,” said Intelligent Energy’s Henri Winand. “What better stage to prove the credentials of British innovation than on the way to the 2012 London Olympics?”
Intelligent Energy plans to develop technology to power between 50 and 100 of London’s 21,000 black taxis, a token number at best. The real question for real taxi drivers is how well will these taxis perform in day-to-day use?
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To Book a Licensed London Black Taxi:
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www.londonblacktaxis.net
+44 (0)7779 336 612
Book a Licensed London Black Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612
We were telephoned yesterday by Sarah Orchard, a producer at the BBC requesting using one of our licensed London taxi drivers for an interview for the BBC 6.30pm television news.
Special requirements were a talkative, knowledgeable and outgoing personality.
It took me exactly 3 nano seconds to choose Paul Crew.
Paul is the sort of person who has valid opinions about everything from raising a baby Rotweiller, pruning wisteria and who should be England football captain.
Indeed, it was his views on John Terry and Wayne Bridges that were so badly needed to inform and entertain his, err…I mean the general public.
Feedback from Sarah Orchard proved emphatically that Paul was the right man for the job….in fact she asked me if I could stop him talking”
Naturally, I oblidged and Paul is now top of the list for any interviews or panel shows whenever required.
By the way I am now his agent.
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To Book a Licensed London Black Taxi:
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54 PLATE SILVER TXII, Black. No adverts. Excellent condition. Full back-up and support. AA cover. Full flat, £195 per week.
P REG FAIRWAY DRIVER, Black. No adverts. Excellent condition. Full back-up and support. AA cover. Full flat, £165 per week.
As the driver of either of these taxis, you will be part of the London Black Taxis team.
We are a fast-growing, online Licensed London Taxi company. Have a look at the Our Team page to get an idea of the exciting and lucrative work that you will be a part of.
Phone Mike on 07779 336 612 to discuss the details.
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www.londonblacktaxis.net
+44 (0)7779 336 612
Book a London Black Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612
We have a dynamic and ever-growing team of Licensed London Taxi drivers. Their service and dedication is second to none. Here are a few of our recent customer comments praising our drivers:
…I am so grateful for the excellent service and reliability extended from yourself and your drivers…21st February 2010
… The cabs were pristine, the drivers were super friendly… Lyndsey and Ben Jones. 21st February 2010
…Paul was absolutely brilliant. He’s even retrieved a missing glove for us! – Anke x (In Focus Productions) 22nd January 2010
… The driver was lovely and we had an amazing, amazing day. From Lorna (Wedding Booking) 6th January 2010
… The taxi and driver was efficient and on time…From Clive 5th Jaunary 2010
…thank you and your drivers for looking after my daughter and grandaughter on their stay in London…She said your drivers were wonderfull. From Vivienne 20th December 2009
Paul was, as he was the previous time we used your service, a perfect gentleman. From Muriel, 26th November 2009
John Farmer, the driver, was superb…From Mo, 22nd November 2009.
…everyone was promptly on time and polite and the whole day went well…From Karl (Wedding Booking) 10th November 2009
…John was a great driver, and made our trip through London to Kings Cross Station really informative and fun. He really was fantastic. -From John 6th November 2009
… Terry [our driver] was great on the day-From Chris (Dene Films) 5th November 2009
..The driver was really nice and arrived early to meet my early-arriving flight. -From Charlotte 4th October 2009
… The service, you, and your driver Danny were all excellent. -From Paul 21st August 2009
..Please thank Chris, our driver, for taking such good care of me. -From Elizabeth 17th August 2009
“Your driver Paul was great! – from Cathy on 30 July 2009
Your driver David was really helpful and made the day filming the Bee Gees go without a hitch. David’s input really helped with the locations. – from James of Parallel 28 Equipe, July 2009
Want to Join our Team?
We are a fast-growing, online Licensed London Taxi company. We welcome drivers for all shifts to cover a rapidly expanding workload.
We only accept quality work and have a minimum fare of £30, though our average fare is £50. Have a look at our About Us page to see the kinds of work that we do.
The work is paid to us by credit or debit card and settled directly into the driver’s bank account by BACs payment.
We offer a unique personalised service and boast 100% customer satisfaction.
There is no circuit fee, no equipment, and no roller bond. Jobs are dispatched to you by phone, text, or email. Drivers are paid the full meter fare, less a small commision to us. Contact Mike on 07779 336 612 to discuss the details.
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www.londonblacktaxis.net
+44 (0)7779 336 612
Book a Licensed London Black Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612
The London Eye has become a world wide recognized London landmark. This year the beautiful London Eye will celebrate its 10th anniversay. To kick off the year of celebrations, Merlin Entertainment, will be offering free rides on the historic landmark. If you are lucky enough to be in London tomorrow morning be sure to queue up between 9:50 am. and 10 am. for your chance to ride the Eye for free.
It is hard to believe that this iconic landmark is already ten years old, but is is even harder to envision the banks of the Thames without it. The London Eye which was built at the end of the last decade, is the most visited paid attraction in the United Kingdom. In ten short years this attraction has become a very recognizable and loved part of the city of London. The London Eye has been in numerous films and tourists’ photos. This site is a must see when in London.
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To Book a Licensed London Black Taxi:
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Book a Licensed London Black Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612
On the 10th of December 2009, we provided two London Black Taxis to Firmenich, the largest privately-owned company in the perfume and flavor business, for their Vampire Treasure Hunt night in London.
The participants, dressed in their best vampire attire and with their faces ghoulishly painted, toured central London in style and comfort, safely ensconced in the back of one of our taxis with their Harrod’s food and champagne hampers.
Each team accumulated points by snapping ghostly photos, solving spooky clues, and collecting Dracula’s treasure.
Our drivers, Russ and John, participated as part of each team. Their mission: to deliver their teams to the end of the hunt by 8 p.m. or suffer loss of points!
The end of their Treasure Hunt took them to Fifteen, Jamie Oliver’s restaurant on Westland Place, which was booked for them by their company.
A great time was had by all, although we had later reports that one of the teams cheated beyond reason!
Dear Mike, It was indeed a fantastic evening! Thanks so much!
From Gian and Catherine of www.firmenich.com, 15th December 2009.
Are you thinking of a Treasure Hunt event in London? Go to our Taxi Treasure Hunt page for more information.
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To Book a Licensed London Black Taxi for your treasure hunt:
- by phone – +44 (0)7779 336 612
- online – use our booking form and enter “Treasure Hunt” in the Special Instructions box
- or send us a message with any questions you might have
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www.londonblacktaxis.net
+44 (0)7779 336 612
Book a Taxi for your wedding Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612
A Winter Wedding is naturally full of colour from the lights and festive decorations all around. There is a frosty and sparkly feel to an Winter Wedding. This time of year naturally lends itself to family occassions such as Weddings.
One big advantage to an off-peak wedding is the lower costs. You can save on hotel and function room bills by booking out of high season, and there is not as much competition for your desired venue. Caterers and photographers often offer similar discounts.
Another way to save is to use a Wedding Taxi instead of a limousine. Our Weddings Taxis are smart and comfortable. In addition to the traditional black taxi, we may be able to offer you a white, silver, green, blue, or red taxi (depending on our existing bookings at the time).
Here is what a few of our customers had to say about our Wedding Taxi Service:
“Thank you very much for taking my wife and her family to our wedding in Battersea Park. The service, you, and your driver Danny were all excellent. Best regards”
-From Paul, 21st August 2009
Many thanks for the prompt service, clean cab and really humorous driver. A fantastic service and far better than a boring old Rolls Royce!
-From Ian and Sandy, 1st June 2009
Winter Weddings reflect the mood of the season with flower and outfit colours in snowy whites, frosty blues, berry reds, and holly greens
Think red roses and winter ivy
And gowns trimmed in faux fur
Table decorations glowing with frosted candles
Or go for the Winter Wonderland look in frosty blues and sparkly silvers
A country house in the snow
And you…arriving in your Winter glory in a smart and stylish Wedding Taxi.
Greet your guests with warm mulled wine and home-made mince pies. And afterwards, dazzle your guests with a winter fireworks display! As the evening draws to close, the two of you step into your Wedding Taxi and drive off into the frosty night and into your new life together.
For more information, visit our Wedding Taxis page.
Or to book:
- by phone – +44 (0)7779 336 612
- online – use our booking form and enter “Wedding Taxi” plus any other requests in the Special Instructions box
- or send us a message with any questions you might have
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www.londonblacktaxis.net +44 (0)7779 336 612
Book a Licensed London Black Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612
London’s National Theatre has announced 4 new productions to open between January and March 2010.
London Assurance
Included are the return of Simon Russell Beale, Richard Briers and Fiona Shaw to the venue in a new production of Dion Boucicault’s classic play London Assurance.
Boucicault was the Irish genius of London theatre in the age of Dickens, and in London Assurance, written in 1841, he created two of the great comic roles for the English stage in Lord Harcourt and Lady Spanker, played here by Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw.
The cast will also include Richard Briers (in his first London stage appearance since 2002), Paul Ready, and Michelle Terry. The production will be designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting by Neil Austin, music by Rachel Portman and sound by John Leonard.
Really Old, Like Forty-Five
Tamsin Oglesby’s “Really Old, Like Forty-Five” will begin performances in the Cottesloe Theatre Jan. 27, prior to an official opening Feb. 3. A furious comedy that confronts head-on our embarrassment and fear about old age, it will be directed by Anna Mackmin (designed by Lez Brotherston, with lighting by Mark Henderson, video design by Mark Grimmer with Lysander Ashton, choreography by Scarlett Mackmin and sound by Christopher Shutt).
The cast: Lucy May Barker, Paul Bazely, Amelia Bullmore, Tanya Franks, Gawn Grainger, Thomas Jordan, Michela Meazza, Judy Parfitt, Paul Ritter and Marcia Warren.
The White Guard
Mikhail Bulgakov’s “The White Guard”, a play set in Kiev during the Russian civil war, will be revived in a new version by Andrew Upton, beginning performances in the Lyttelton Theatre March 15, prior to an official opening March 23.
Howard Davies will direct a cast that will include Pip Carter, Paul Higgins, Conleth Hill, and Justine Mitchell. The production will be designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting by Neil Austin and sound by Christopher Shutt.
The 14th Tale
The 14th Tale, described as a free-flowing narrative that tells the hilarious exploits of a natural born mischief growing from the clay streets of Nigeria to rooftops in Dublin, and finally to London, is written and performed by Nigerian-born Inua Ellams.
It will visit the Cottesloe Theatre for ten performances only, beginning Feb. 9 and running in rep to March 13. It is directed by Thierry Lawson, with lighting by Michael Nabarro.
Public phone/online booking for these new productions opens from Dec. 2. To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7452 3000, or visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
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To Book a Licensed London Black Taxi:
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www.londonblacktaxis.net
+44 (0)7779 336 612
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