Page 5 - PBCMarch2012

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine. Volume 9 No.1 March 2012 5
Mr Pickwick goes to Portsmouth to celebrate
The joyous occasion of the 200th anniversary of
the birth of Charles Dickens
7th February 2012
The Event as Seen by Mr.Watty

At the appointed hour Mr Pickwick and friends Joseph Smiggers, Bullman, Old Nobbs,
Mr Brooks and Mr Watty gathered with other friends from the Solent Veteran Bicycle
and Tricycle Club. The event was to celebrate and pay respects to that great man,
Charles Dickens who, 200 years earlier, has taken his first breath in Portsmouth and
began a wondrous life of recording all that he saw around him.

He would have been proud to see Mr Pickwick resplendent astride his Hobby Horse
leading ahead of a boneshaker, 4 Ordinaries, 4 vintage Tricycles and a solid tired safety,
all on their way to the birthplace celebrations.

As the entourage approached a rustle of
excitement passed through the crowd for
many had never seen such wonderful
Victorian machines before, with riders
clothed in period costume to match! Their
presence wound back the timepiece to a
bygone age when the renowned Pickwick
Club began their adventures.

After warm words by the Mayor and a Mr Simon Callow, a wreath was laid on the front
door of the first home of Charles Dickens and the gathering moved on to further
celebrations. The riders carefully negotiated their machines through the roads and
pedestrian areas to the Guildhall Square where, serenaded by the film of ‘The Pickwick
Papers’ on a large screen, they rode
their machines and shared pleasure
with the amused passersby.

The riders then provided a Guard of
Honour for the Lady Mayor and her
guests, including Mr Pickwick, as they
made their way to the New Royal
Theatre for a Dickensian talk by Mr
Simon Callow. Immediately forthwith,
they retired to the ‘Isambard Kingdom Brunel’ for a well earned glass of ale and further
camaraderie!
It was a joyous occasion and enjoyed and appreciated by all.
Three cheers for Charles Dickens –
Hip! Hip! Hooray! Hip! Hip! Hooray! Hip! Hip! Hooray!