Report of the Rochester Pickwick Club Year ended Sep 2025

September The AGM was held and the yearly report was presented, also the officers

were appointed for the forthcoming year.

The RPC event for September was a visit to Restoration House in

Rochester. The House and gardens (2.5 acres no less ) were magnificent as

was the weather. After some 2 hours walking and exploring round both (and

well done David (Dodson) for climbing all those stairs so soon after your op.

We then had a brisk walk back to the Gordon Hotel where we tucked into

fish and chips supplemented with mushy peas, bread and butter finishing

with tea and coffee. A great day and possibly to be repeated next year.

October Unfortunately the scheduled visit to Sittingbourne greyhounds had to be

cancelled however it will be scheduled for next year as the Club thoroughly

enjoyed last year's event.

November This was a sad month for Rochester Pickwick Club as we lost one of our

best loved members (Ken Webber). Unexpectedly struck down with a stroke

Ken was taken from us, just like that, “oooh arrrrrrr” …….he will be greatly

missed.

in late November, Chris & Chrissie went to the local Primary school (in

costume) to give a talk on Dickens books and Victorian culture to the year 5

children who are studying Dickens .

December December was a very busy time. On the 1st of December the Club joined at

the Three Crutches to switch on the Christmas Tree lights. With the weather

being inclement we decided to eat first and listen to the pianist. A

sumptuous 3 course meal meal was provided by Rob (the host of said pub)

with the cost being £10!! The weather had not let up so it was decided that

we would sing inside the pub, accompanied by the pianist with all the other

pub goers joining in….a great night.

The following day was not so good as it was the day of Kens funeral. The

number of members attending was virtually 100% with us all wearing club

ties. The whole funeral went well as did the wake. One could say it was a

“proper job” and a fitting send off and I am sure that Ken would have

approved.

The 6th & 7th December saw the yearly Dickensian festival. RPC had a table

at the Festival Ball and although the overall numbers were down the

atmosphere was good and dancing was prolific.

Unfortunately the weather deteriorated (storm Darragh) to such a degree

that the festival was cancelled. Undaunted some RPC members met up on

the Saturday, and along with the Town Crier and other costumed characters

managed to make a parade down the High Street (despite the wind and rain)

much to the obvious enjoyment of the public who also had turned up. RPC

then regrouped, along with other costumed characters, outside the TIC and

entertained the crowd for half an hour with Christmas carols, after which

they retired to the ST. Georges Vaults to dry out. Thanks to Katy for

organising this venue. Katy also organised the evening meal at “Jaggers” A

new venue for RPC but just as good, if not better than the Sol Y Sombre. I

am sure that we will visit Jaggers again in the future. On the Sunday a few

members braved the elements in costume and reported that they also had

short singalongs down the High Street with other costumed characters

again, The after festival dinner also went ahead back at the Gordon. This

meal was well attended with 22 members and ladies, plenty of banter and

lots of laughter with “You are my sunshine” being sung with great gusto to

Tony Setter as it brought back happy memories for him. Tony then

presented a small music wind up music box (that played the same tune (to

all the Ladies), nice touch Tony.

The following week, the Chairman and Mrs Wells visited a local primary

school, in costume, to have a session with year 6 pupils to talk about

Dickens and Victorian Times as this forms part of their curriculum. Some

extremely good questions were raised by the pupils and it was a delight to

have been invited to give the talk.

January At the beginning of January we held our annual dinner. The Chairman and

wife were unable to attend (as they were in Australia) however Pickwick

(Tony) stood in and orchestrated the evening to perfection I hear.It was well

attended by 24 members and wives. The meal (7 courses) was excellent, the

entertainment (organised by Pickwick (Tony) was also excellent. 45 minutes

of song and music covering many decades with songs that we all knew. At

one point the whole gathering joined in with much gusto much to the

merriment of the entertainers, but who also were very appreciative of our

vocal talents. Thanks to Smiggers, Clubber and their ladies for decorating

the tables. A great night was had by all.

February Was a quiet month, having no events or meetings

March RPC had their management meeting at the Conservative Club. The schedule

of events for 2025 dates and activities were agreed

April In early April we were to have our first costumed management committee

meeting at the new venue of The Three Crutches, unfortunately this had to

be postponed at very short notice, so we ended up at Rowlands, thanks to

El Presidente.

Also in April saw the RPC attending a visit to Small Hythe Place at

Tenterden. Although the party participating was smaller than usual (6

attendees) everyone enjoyed the house and gardens and

the weather was fairly kind to us. The chosen hostelry for the day was the

Lemon Tree where had previously been to last year and again, once

ensconced the gathered throng enjoyed a hearty meal and great

companionship.

May In mid May more bad news as we received the news that our President,

Cyril Baldwin had passed away and that his funeral would be sometime in

June. In late May 10 of us visited Battersea Power Station and went up a

chimney in Lift 109 (109 being the height in feet). Superb views of London at

that height and also a good view of the Chelsea Flower Show. For some it

was their first taste of this attraction which is quite awesome. We moved

onto a bar, the Control Room B situated within the complex. It still retains

many of the old control panels which was interesting and the drinks menus

were in the form of “blue prints”, service was prompt and the drinks were

expensive! From here we moved to an Italian restaurant by the river,

however as it was cool outside we elected to eat indoors. It was Pickwicks

65 Birthday so mark the occasion we all sang “Happy Birthday” and later on

also”Here’s a health”, much to the enjoyment of fellow diners, one of whom

came up to congratulate us on our singing. They told us that we were so

good that they thought that we were from Wales! Undaunted, Giuseppe

brought over a “birthday cake” and Pickwick just managed to blow out the

single candle! Great fun and laughter was had by all.

June Saw us at the NON Dickens festival day…there was a great turnout of the

Pickwickian’s alongside several other groups (totalling some 150) to parade

up and down Rochester High Street. The weather was kind and the feeling

was that we should do it again next year. The day concluded at Jaggers with

a meal.

The following week saw RPC at the the Three Crutches attending an

“Afternoon Tea” supplied free of charge by the proprietor in the garden of

the pub. In return we were were photographed enjoying the feast of

sandwiches and scones for his publicity posters. We also performed two

sessions singing old songs for the assembled audiences. Thank to Ray and

Debbie for supplying the song sheets. Once again a great afternoon which

all 17 of us enjoyed.

On the 10th June we held a management meeting at the Conservative Club

in Gillingham.

On the 16th June all our members attended the funeral of Cyril in costume,

along with our ladies. We presented a “Guard of Honour” for him at the

crematorium and later at the wake which was held at the Upchurch golf

club.

July Three Crutches was the chosen venue for the costumed meeting

of RPC, the meeting went very well with a hearty (and well priced meal) with

7 members attending. The Proprietor donated a bottle of vintage Port for

the “Round Robin” and also spoke of ideas that he has for next year. Watch

this space and thank you Rob…much appreciated.

A week later, we met with our ladies for the annual Sunday lunch at the

Leather Bottle, Cobham 12 members (including our latest member Steven)

attended. Enjoyable lunch…some hearty singing and although prices have

increased somewhat, a good time was had by all.

August On a very warm afternoon in August the members along with their wives (22

in total) gathered at the Chairman’s house for afternoon tea. We welcomed

our newest member, Steve and his partner Debbie after a welcoming snifter

at the bar (served so eloquently by Katy, complete in mob cap and apron). A

delightfully chilled chat followed under shade in the garden ensued and

then, tea was served in the dining room. A beautiful spread of quiche,

sandwiches, scones, tarts and cake not forgetting of course the tea! After

eating the party moved into the garden and the conviviality continued with

chatter and laughter (and more drinks). After a while the entertainment

started (a coconut shy this year). The ensemble were split into 4 teams of 5

members and or wives. Each team name was named after a pub that was

mentioned in Pickwick Papers. With the scores being all tied it was the Bell

Inn that triumphed on the day with Katy being the last to throw and getting

the winning hit. With that it was back to chat interspersed with a few songs

sang with hearty gusto, then with the sun going down members departed,

carrying their nuts, a great day was had by all.

From the above, the past year has seen us enjoy a very active year with many events

taking place, several of which we also enjoyed along with our ladies.

Thanks must go to Charles for organising this years events, Brian, Les and ladies for

dressing the tables for the Annual dinner and Katy for running the bar and clearing dinner

plates at the afternoon tea and lastly thanking you, the members for attending the events

for without you these could not take place.

Please do not forget that membership of the RPC is as you know is a “privilege” and not a

“right” and as such relies on consistency of support although I would urge you to identify

at least one potential candidate each to join us, we have plenty of room for Associate

members who hopefully would ensure continuity of the Club well into the future. Thank

you fellow Pickwickians for your support over the last year.