Page 27 - PBCMarch2014

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 11 No.1 March 2014 27
Two years on and the statue is unveiled…….

riday 7th February 2014 saw a large gathering
in the square in front of Portsmouth Guildhall
Fto witness the unveiling of a statue to Charles
Dickens, just two years after the celebrations to
commemorate his birth.

Preceding the event a number of Victorian machines
of the Club and Southern Vets Bicycle & Tricycle
Club, were observed riding merrily around the
Square, drawing much interest from the passing
public. The presence of the Club was evident from
the striped blazers to the boaters, again drawing
questions and surprise as to our origins.

With appropriate music from a brass ensemble (no rap music!) the event got
underway just after mid-day with an introduction from Prof Tony Pointon, who, on
behalf of the Charles Dickens Statue Committee & Dickens Fellowships, handed
over the statue to the Lady Mayor of Portsmouth. A Mayor, she accepted the
statue on behalf of the City of Portsmouth.

Edward Fox Charles & Oliver Dickens