Page 9 - PBCMarch2017
P. 9

9
            Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine          Volume 14             No.1 March 2017

                 The 146th

          Annual Garden Party


         Our December event was compromised this year
    by the Southern Rail dispute, making travel from the
    South  a  testing  &  risky  affair.  Fortunately  the
    weather  was  fair  to  us  all  and  the  Grand  Connaught
    Rooms  was  a  hive  of  preparatory  activity  as  members  arrived  for  the  11am  AGM  start.
    Important  business  this  year,  for  with  some  sadness  Dismal  Jemmy  (Bob  Upton)  had
    decided to retire and we were required to elect a new Captain. There were four candidates,
    who each gave an account of themselves, but by a clear sprint Vice Captain, Dr Payne (of
          rd
    the 43 )/(Tim Stevens) was elected to the role. He duly thanked us for placing this burden
    upon him, and then rushed away to ensure all was ready in the Grand Hall for our 1 o’clock
    gathering. Treasurer Jack Martin again re-assured us of the continuing financial status of
    the Club. One additional action of the committee was to make Peter Magnus (Keith Robins)
    an Honorary Member for his extraordinary activities on behalf of the Club.

        Adjourning to the hubbub in the anteroom it wasn’t long before our friends from the
    Household Cavalry once again summoned us to table. Our new Captain made his voice and
    intentions clear that we should do instructed when he spoke. So we had our choral practice
    – albeit different words to those prescribed on the menu. So life continued much the same
    as ever. Most guests were in place for the arrival of our President and his principle guest.
         The gathering then welcomed the original member (this year it was Brother Maudlin)  to
    the  President’s  table,  as  lunch  commenced.  The  food  continues  to  be  excellent  at  this
    luncheon, with this year’s selection of Smoked Salmon Roulade, Mozzarella with Parma Ham,
    the  now  always  twice  cooked  (?)  Turkey,  and  concluding  with  Plum  Pudding,  Mince  Pies  &
    coffee. The seating plan was slightly different to normal, to accommodate the late ticket
    applicants,  and  so  space  was  in  short  supply  for  both  guests  and  catering  staff,  which
    impacted on the service at times.
   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14