Go to the Archive indexCyclemotors make forays into the arts very rarely; not many operas have a part for a Norman Nippy. Nevertheless, inspired by Bob Champ’s list of screen rôles for the VéloSoleX, I have come up with these:
Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett was staged at the Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and the production saw one of the characters (Canon Throbbing, I think) riding onto the stage on a Honda—you know, the one with the engine in the back wheel, a P50 isn’t it? First night was Wednesday 16 October 1985.
Entertaining Mr Sloane. The 1970 film adaptation of Joe Orton’s play featured a BSA Winged Wheel, and in a reasonably large part too. None of this leaning against the railings in the background nonsense.
The Beckoning Lady by Margery Allingham. Not strictly a cyclemotor, but a machine much-loved by NACC members so I feel justified in including it. Towards the end of the book there is a telephone conversation between Albert Campion and Magersfontein Lugg:
‘ … Tell ’em I’m coming. I’ve got a lot to do down there, and if you’re right on this lark there’ll be a bit more.’
‘So there will.’ Mr Campion sounded non-committal. ‘It’s important, though, because I’ve got an idea.’
‘Chalk it up.’ The flat voice was derisive. ‘ ’Old on to it, Don’t let it escape yer. That’s what the bloke said ’oo ’ired me my transport.’
‘Good heavens, what is it? Equine?’
‘No. One of them little motor-scooters you can drop by parachute. A Sealy’am.’
‘Corgi. My hat Lugg, are you all right? Be careful.’
‘That’s what they all say.’ Lugg was heavily amused. ‘I got a percession o’ motors be’ind me all follerin’ to see me blow up. A very ignorant type of person in’abits these parts. Under-entertained. Every now and again I show ’em - look, no ’ands! Wot yer.’
Mr Campion hung up and went into the dining-room.
A couple of chapters later, Lugg re-appears in the narrative:
Mr Lugg, despairing of any other method of attracting his employer’s attention, edged his way through the cigar and brandy fumes in the barn, and touched him on the shoulder.
Mr Campion rose at once, leaving the civilised warmth, and came out into the meadow.
‘What happened?’ he demanded.
‘Fell ’orf.’
First published: October 1994