Page 12 - PBCMarch2020

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 17 No.1 March 2020 12

The 149th Annual Garden
Party…..

Having chaired the AGM
and ensured it finished on
The Household Cavalry round up the time, I was unable to enjoy
drinkers from the Hercules Pillars the build up of expectation
within the surroundings of
the Grand Hall, since I had
my Presidential role to fulfil of welcoming key guests, the
Household Cavalry and others in an ante-room. It was then time
to follow instructions from Buzfuz and with the principle guest, The scene is set
make our way to the top table. Captain Payne had the assembled
gathering in order having practiced the familiar refrains, and
then called upon me to say grace. Once again I had been given a ‘schedule’ highlighting that
whenever I chose to speak, I should keep it short. No fun being President.

Welcoming everyone to the luncheon I drew attention to this being the beginning of our
celebratory 150 Anniversary year, and that I felt it was important to remember the six
th
founder members who had gathered at Hackney Downs back in 1870, and provided us with a
raison d’etre for our presence today. The usual chorus followed, and then hardly were we
seated, when the one of the catering staff managed to knock over Justice Stareleigh’s
(only) bottle of red wine and as it spread across the table towards said member and guest,
she asked “What shall I do?” Very politely it was suggested that another one should be
brought with due haste, along with some napkins to absorb
the red lake. With that slight hiatus just resolved, the
sound of the Post Horn by one of the Household Cavalry
trumpeters announced the arrival of the Original
Member with his Ordinary. He, Charles Fitz-Marshall
(Andrew Donald) duly approached the top table and we
took wine. Such is the role of President that taking wine
is to be repeated throughout lunch for various reasons,
with the cross toasting of all committee members and
Past Presidents, and those who have recently ridden a
Arrival of The Original Member bike. In addition this year I made special mention of
three members whose cycling feats deserved extra
comment.