Page 3 - PBCOctober2022

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine olume 19 No.2 October 2022
V
3
Au revoir from Sergeant Buzfuz

As many of you will know, after many years my wife & I have
hoped to move to live nearer our daughter in Canberra. I have
attended my last Pickwickian lunch, at least for the time being,
but I hope I leave the Club in good spirit recovering well from
the last two years. I know I leave it in sound hands.Thirty-seven
years ago we moved into our current house and met our
neighbours, now good friends, and this move changed our lives.
Rod & Iris were some of the biggest supporters of veteran
cycling and with our family, we quickly became involved; joining
veteran cycle clubs, and eventually forming a local club where I
joined the committee and very soon became chairman. I also
became involved with the NAVCC, and was President for several years. One member of the
club was also a member of The Pickwick Bicycle Club and in due course I was invited by Mr
Brooks as a guest, to a luncheon in London. Brooks then suggested I might like to become a
member, and I was proposed, seconded and elected in 1996. I think Brooks, then secretary,
must have had certain ideas already, as within 18 months I was proposed and elected
Secretary of the Club, when he stood down. It is a post that I was honoured to accept, and
have held for over 22years.

I have greatly enjoyed my time with the Club and hope I have dealt with matters to
members satisfaction. There have been highlights, not least of which was having the honour
of being President in 2012, the year of Dicken’s 200th anniversary of his birth, and very
much enjoyed many special events. The highlight of which was a reception at Buckingham
Palace where I met the Queen & Prince Philip, other members of the Royal family, members
of the Dickens’ family, and individuals from stage & screen involved with Dickensian
productions, including Ron Moody (Fagin), who had spoken at a Club luncheon only a short
time before. The unveiling of the Dicken’s statue in Portsmouth, very close to my home, and
attendance at functions at the Dicken’s Museum in London, are other notable events I will
always remember.
My lasting memories of the Club will however be, the fellowship of the members, and I shall
take many fond memories of you characters with me.

I wish the Club well, and may it prosper over the next 150years.

With Best Wishes
Sergeant Buzfuz (now retired) / Stephen Downham