Page 15 - PBCMarch2018

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 15 No.1 March 2018 !15
A Toast to our Honoured Guests 2017

Gentlemen! My name is Joseph Smiggers and it is my great pleasure to have been entrusted
by our President, Mr Samuel Pickwick Esq, to toast our honoured guests. Firstly, a very warm
welcome to each and every one of our guests. Some of you are familiar faces, but many will be
experiencing our hospitality for the first time.
As you look around at your host and the other Club members, you will be struck by three
things: - their immaculate uniform of straw boater and black & gold tie, together with their
name badge, even some gold & black jackets or waistcoats. Some are even wearing medals
signifying that they have been honoured with being President of this illustrious Club. Their
behaviour reflects our concern that all guests should be able to enjoy the fellowship of this
gathering, and be able to listen clearly to each of our speakers. Some may look as though they
were one of the original members from 1870. Sadly, they are mere contempories. Their
rugged, well-worn looks reflect the seriousness with which they take their training, and the
preparation required to ensure that their guests have a day to remember.
And now gentlemen, it is my great pleasure - indeed honour, to introduce to you a small
selection of our honoured guests at this 147th celebration of the Pickwick Bicycle Club;
On table D: Mr Dave Parry, guest of Job Trotter, is retiring after 25 years in the cycle
trade. On table B: The Honourable Mr Crushton is enjoying the company of: Simon Wear, CEO
& Founder of “Shift Media” and of “Play Sports Network”; Darren Gough, retired England
cricketer, presenter of “Drivetime” show for “Talksport”; Ashley Palmer-Watts, Michelin Star
Chef at “Dinner with Heston Blumenthal”; Wayne Brown, Managing Director of “Play Sports
Group”; Colin Sturgess, Director Sportif for “Madison Genesis”. (A professional cyclist with a
long palmares including gold and bronze medals in the individual pursuit at the 1989 and 1991
track world championships. He was inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame in
2010.); Dom Langan, CEO “Madison Group” and team principal “Madison Genesis Racing Team”.

On table H: Mr Warren is entertaining: Johan Museeuw, retired Belgian professional road
racing cyclist from 1988 to 2004. Particularly successful in the cobbled classics, where he won
both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix three times, and was road world champion in
1996. He also achieved two individual stage wins in the Tour de France and two national road
championships as well as several classic races. In 1996 he was awarded the Velo d’Or- awarded
annually to the rider considered to have performed the best over the year. On table P: The
Red-Headed Man is in the company of Eugene Anker, England Manager for the UK Acrobatic
Flying Team.
Our principal guest, and today’s speaker, is award winning comedian Gary Marshall. I’m told
he has a dry and wicked sense of humour delivered in a relaxed manner.
Gentlemen, If handsome is as handsome does, then today our visitors are very beautiful!
Please be upstanding and toast our guests.