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Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine olume 19 No.2 October 2022
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The Household Cavalry Boz (Mr Ian Dickens)

Our familiar friends from the Household Cavalry duly provided the fanfare summoning us
to table in the Great Hall. We were also joined by the regular two members from Chelsea
Hospital, the Chelsea Pensioners.. Following grace by Boz (Ian Dickens), we were seated with
boaters either removed or remaining in situ.

At each place setting, there was a Pickwickian Tote bag, a
table mat depicting our ‘Original Members’, & a beer glass.
Most importantly though, there was a clay pipe plus shag -
how fitting for a Club celebration that these iconic items, for
so long part of our dynasty, should appear before us once
again. There was also the news that after dinner we could, if
desired, adjourn to the courtyard and light up. Furthermore,
amongst the cutlery and glassware, we each found a Pickwick
bicycle bell, causing much hilarity and a cacophony of noise -
although one or two members failed to manage any sound with
their specific bell. They’d probably never ever used them on
their bikes in the past! The food was ‘par excellent’ and very
traditional, with Mushroom Soup, Beef Wellington, Bramley
Apple Tart, and followed by Stilton & Cheddar Cheese. All
accompanied by very drinkable wines.

A momentary break in proceedings was allowed before we were enthralled by Mr Gerald
Dickens who did a reading from Pickwick Papers, creating such imagination that you felt you
were part of the action as you were transported into the world of the Guildhall and the
Trial of Bardell v Pickwick. An amazing oratory of Ch XXXIV, with the voices of Sgt Buzfuz,
Justice Stareleigh, Perker, Sgt Snubbin, Thomas Groffin, Mrs Bardell, Mrs Cluppins and
many other names involved in the affair, changing as befitted the characters, and with such
consummate ease that you began to believe they were all in the Great Hall with us.