Report from Dave Hearn.
Sunday, the 18th of May saw the 104th Cyclists’ Memorial Service on Meriden Green.
The weather was kind, with plenty of sunshine, but perhaps a little chilly when the sun went behind a cloud.
A healthy attendance of 250 or so gathered on the green prior to the service at 11.00AM.
It was our pleasure to be joined this year by Hannah Foster from Cycling UK and by the incoming Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Annette Mackenzie, both of whom laid wreaths together with half a dozen or so from some of the various cycling clubs and groups present.
As is customary, music was provided by the Bulkington Silver Band, who as usual were excellent and much appreciated.
Once again Nick Bryan provided the public address system.
Prior to the laying of wreaths, the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation was made by Hannah Foster to John Sullivan. It is no secret that John celebrates his 90th birthday this year, but the certificate was awarded because this was John’s 70th consecutive visit to Meriden to attend the Memorial Service. John travels from Poole in Dorset each year and had arrived at Meriden in a new cycling jacket on the rear of which proudly announced this was his 70th visit. We are all sure his award was greatly deserved and that he is highly delighted with it.
The service was led by the Reverend Tim Brooke, a retired vicar from Coventry as the vicar of Meriden was away and unable to attend. Tim is a cyclist and set a perfect tone for the service, as was proved by the many thanks he received afterwards. He had not attended the service before as of course he would have been busy taking a service in his own parish on Sunday mornings prior to his retirement.
Following the service, the Meriden Women’s Institute served tea, coffee, and homemade cakes in the Village Hall.
The hard work of organising the service is over for the time being until we begin to think about the 105th Cyclists’ Memorial Service.