Page 34 - PBCOctober2022

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine olume 19 No.2 October 2022
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Sgt Buzfuz Farewell Lunch @ The George

A significant lunch took place at The George in Borough High St, London on Tuesday
September 6th. to bid farewell to our illustrious Hon Sec. Stephen Downham or better
known to most as Sgt. Buzfuz.

Twelve members, of Past Presidents and officers
gathered to say adieu to our long serving (or should
that be suffering?) Hon. Sec. as he becomes a retired
member prior to his departure to Australia. As
mentioned elsewhere in this issue, Buzfuz has carried
out his role with aplomb and been the hub of the
Pickwick Bicycle Club since 1998. Regardless of the
situation or issue, he seemed to always have an answer
or solution, thus ensuring that our Club maintained
seamless continuity.

There were plenty of memories talked about over lunch,
with everyone having their own stories, especially about
the many occasions of Club luncheons, when perhaps the
after dinner speaker was either exceptionally good or
Jack Martin, Sgt Buzfuz & Samkin,
the three holders of the Honorary Life disappointingly poor. The latter didn’t occur too often.
Member Medal

Buzfuz talked about his visit to Buckingham Palace with
the Dickens family and how interested the Royal family
were in the link with our Club. There were also other
tales of his activities as Hon Sec of the Club. Time
passed so quickly but not before it was decided that the
three holders of the Honorary Life Member Medal
should be photographed for posterity. Then Winkle Snr
presented him with a copy of Dickens & Travel inscribed
by Lucinda Hawksley, the great, great, great grand-
daughter of Charles Dickens. Mr Watty then announced
that a Club blazer was being made and would be given to
Buzfuz before he left the UK. Final goodbyes were said,
and the lunch was over.
Winkle Snr hands Sgt Buzfuz
a parting gift