CHAPTER VII.
SHEPPERTON.
JULY 30TH, 1910.
This ride was taken by The Pilgrims under most favourable conditions, the weather being perfect when we started. Six of us met by the pond at Harlington, and we were told that Mr Shawyer’s party were to meet at the end of a lane in Hatton. We did not have long to wait before we saw just the heads of six other Pilgrims over the cornfields. There was a general handshaking all round, and then a most important thing happened to some of us. We were presented with our Colours or Union Jacks. These we fastened to our handlebars and then mounted our bikes with the intention of going to Sunbury. The first excitement was caused by Miss Edith Blackmore, slipping off her machine, and thus causing some of the others to do likewise, but as no damage was done, we all started off again in the best of spirits.
We crossed the Staines Road by the Church with the noted yew trees in front (mentioned, I believe, in a former report) and then on to Feltham, passing the Industrial Schools on our right. After we had left these behind (I believe the road was new to most of us), we passed the Watkin and Simpson’s seed beds which were simply a blaze of colour, causing exclamations of delight from the lady members. They were really a picture, large patches of almost every shade. We were not long getting into Sunbury, where we were all asked to dismount by the river, in order to go through the painful and trying ordeal of having our photographs taken. This caused great fun, and called for no small amount of patience from the gentlemen with cameras, for after arranging the groups, it was exceedingly difficult to get the required stillness, but this was managed at last and several snapshots were taken. Then, as none of us felt very tired, we decided to go on to Shepperton, and if possible to see Mr Pocock’s house (our unsuccessful Liberal Candidate), but this we failed to do, owing to none of our members remembering the name of it. The gentlemen here began to look about for a refreshment place, and as there did not appear to be a suitable one, it was agreed to go on to a favourite at Chertsey, not many miles distant. It was an extremely pretty ride, every now and then most unexpectedly we caught glimpses of the River Thames. All sort of remarks were passed on our flags, some not very complimentary.
We were quite ready for a rest and some tea by the time we got to the desired refreshment place, and we all quickly mounted the steps leading to the balcony overlooking the river, and took our seats. Whilst waiting, Mr Paul read us his report, and a good deal of laughter was caused by Miss Blackmore’s chanticleer hat being found with an egg and egg-cup in the bottom. It remains a mystery to be solved as to who put it there.
By this time, a huge teapot, the largest I have ever seen, was brought in with cakes, etc, and talking ceased for a while, but soon began again, as our Captain informed us that there was some business to be attended to with regard to the printing of The Pilgrims Tour Book at the end of the year. It was decided by ballot not to go beyond a certain price, and then Mr Sloley read us his report. By the time all our discussions ere ended, it had turned eight o’clock, and we had to think of returning home.
We had had several little showers whilst resting, but it had nearly ceased when we were ready for starting. Two or three of the ladies borrowed the gentlemen’s mackintosh capes, and when on their bikes, and the wind blowing them about, they looked somewhat like small balloons chasing one another. Evidently we frightened the rain, for it stopped altogether, and we were all able to get to our homes in the dry after a most enjoyable evening.
FLORENCE HEYWARD
