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Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine olume 19 No.2 October 2022

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As usual the Captain issued his instructions on how to behave, when to speak, when to
sing, and above all, when to be quiet. A few practice bars of the choruses, and we all rose to
welcome the President and his wife to the top table in the normal manner. Grace followed
(sic!) and the hubbub of the room calmed as our repast arrived. The menu was up to the
accepted standards of the Connaught Rooms, with a strange soup of potato, chilli, coriander,
& coconut milk, followed by Salmon gravlax ‘avec’ dressing, and a main course of chicken
breast and the necessary extras. The meal concluded with a chocolate & raspberry pie and
ice cream. The food is only ever mentioned in these reports for the interest of those
unfortunate members who are unable to attend the luncheon.

The Queen’s toast was made by the President early in the proceedings. Shortly after,
came the arrival of our ‘Original Member’ Namby (aka Maurice Burton) who carefully
manoeuvred his way around the tables with his ‘Ordinary’ to take wine with the President.
The usual choruses followed.

There followed a very poignant moment when the President requested the presence of
There followed a very poignant moment when the President requested the presence of Hon
Hon Sec. Sergeant Buzfuz at the top table. As seen elsewhere in this magazine, Buzfuz has
Sec. Sergeant Buzfuz at the top table. As seen elsewhere in this magazine, Buzfuz has been
the ‘hub’ of our Club for many years, and the second longest serving Secretary in the Club’s
been the ‘hub’ of our Club for many years, and the second longest serving Secretary in the
history. The President was very pleased to present him with just the second of the new
Club’s history. The President was very pleased to present him with just the third of the
Honorary Lifetime Medal for his extraordinary service to the Club. The appropriate chorus
new Honorary Lifetime Medal for his extraordinary service to the Club. The appropriate
of “ Why was he…..’ followed with gusto.
chorus of “ Why was he…..’ followed with gusto.
Our Chelsea Pensioners with the Joseph Atto
punchbowl were then heralded to the top table
to the strains of The Old Brigade signature
theme. They then announced their respective
regiment, number and rank before taking wine
with the President. As we celebrated our
anniversary, it was worth stopping for a
moment to consider theirs. The Royal Hospital
came about thanks to the vision of King
Charles II, to provide a home for veteran
soldiers, and brought to life by Sir
Christopher Wren. It opened in 1692, some
178 years before our Club came into existence.
So, I guess they trump us for the longest
Arrival of the Punch Bowl
history, but we are always pleased to welcome
them as part of the family at our functions.