Seven-year-old Archie meets Wills and Harry as Cycling UK celebrates Queen’s 90th birthday

Archie and his mum Shona were among the dozen people who sat at Cycling UK’s table on Sunday (12 June) as The Mall hosted its largest-ever street party to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations.

In terms of the weather, it was more a case of long to rain over us. But the inclement conditions in London at the start of the mammoth event failed to dampen the spirits of the 10,000 guests who attended – especially Archie.

Archie, from Ash, on the Surrey-Hampshire border, said: “It was awesome to meet Prince William and Prince Harry and have my photograph taken with them. They were really nice.”

The Cycling UK table was hosted by David Cox, Chair of Council, and his wife Suzanne. Joining Archie and Shona Forse as guests were Roy and Joyce Spilsbury, Liz Daniels and Mark Brough, of Cycle Bristol CTC, Graham and Susan Wallam, of Coventry, plus Ruth Youngs and Roger Hill, from Loughborough – who won the ticket competition we ran for Cycling UK members through our weekly CycleClips e-newsletter.

David Cox said: “We were all wet through before we even got to our table, but cyclists are used to that! Eventually it dried out in time for The Queen and the Royal Family to emerge and meet all the volunteers from 600 charities that enjoy Royal patronage.

Above: Now it’s Prince William’s turn to have a chat with lucky Archie

“It was a family occasion with the Royals meeting the crowds and swopping handshakes, chats and selfies before The Queen and Prince Philip drove slowly past.

“Archie managed to bag both Prince William and Prince Harry for a chat and photo opportunity – that’s surely a 6,000 to 1 chance in Celebrity Challenge!”

Archie’s mum Shona, a Warrant Officer in the British Army, said: “It was an absolutely fabulous day. We went up to London on the train and it was pouring with rain. But once we got on to The Mall and joined nearly 10,000 other guests for the Patron’s Lunch, we hardly noticed the weather because the atmosphere was so fantastic.

“Even though we were all soaked through, everyone was friendly, happy and smiling – and the rain stopped after a while anyway. For Archie to meet the Princes, and to see The Queen and Prince Philip slowly drive by at such close quarters, smiling and waving, was amazing. We felt really quite special.”

Shona helps to run Ash Velo Community Cycle Club and leads the family rides which keen cyclist Archie regularly attends. The club was set up in January this year by Susan Keywood, Cycling UK’s Cycling Development Officer for Surrey and Hampshire.

Archie’s meeting with Prince Harry was even televised on Sky News on Sunday evening – which his mum only discovered when a friend sent her a message and picture on Facebook.

Shona is a member of the Adjutant General’s Corps stationed as the Regimental Administration Warrant Officer, dealing with HR and administration for 22 Field Hospital in Ash Vale.

She added: “I like being active and, being in the Army, you have to be. I got into mountain biking in 2012, London Olympics year, and haven’t stopped cycling since.

Above: Joyce and Roy Spilsbury in their finery for the Patron’s Lunch...after the rain had stopped!

“When my husband Johnny saw me coming back home covered in mud, grinning from ear to ear, after my off-road rides, he wanted to join in too, so quickly followed suit with mountain biking.

“We obviously do lots of family rides as well with Archie, who has been brought up on bikes and loves cycling – even completing a 10-mile ride with the club just the other day.

“It was an incredible experience attending the Patron’s Lunch and I’d like to thank Cycling UK for inviting us. We were thrilled to be asked and will never forget the day.”

At the other end of the age scale from Archie was 81-year-old Roy Spilsbury. Among his many accomplishments as a lifelong cyclist, Roy played a major role in the founding of CTC Cymru and has served as its secretary and vice-chairman.

He has also given long service as a Cycling UK Right to Ride representative, and co-founded the Cycling North Wales website, which he has developed into a unique and popular site with nearly a quarter of a million page impressions a year.

Displaying a link with Cycling UK’s illustrious history – the Queen’s grandfather, King George V, became CTC’s first Royal Patron in 1910 – Roy had a CTC centenary musette around his shoulder, with a Winged Wheel just visible.

Above: Cycling UK Chair of Council David Cox and wife Suzanne enjoy the party atmosphere in the rain

Guests, who started the day in wet-weather gear, enjoyed a hamper-style lunch at tables positioned along the full length of The Mall.

As Union Jack flags fluttered everywhere, there was a parade giving an interpretation of recent decades, with a gospel choir singing Beatles numbers from the 1960s, various marching bands, dancers and, for the benefit of youngsters like Archie, people dressed up as various farm animals riding tricycles. Also making an appearance were a fabric Royal Yacht Britannia and a kestrel puppet held aloft by marchers.

As David Cox said: “Some of it was a little bizarre but it was all very jolly!”

David added: “The Patron’s Lunch was an iconic event recognising the unrelenting support and service The Queen has given to the community over her 63-year reign.

“Our volunteers on the Cycling UK table came from around the country, with an age range spanning 74 years. We included campaigners, club riders, women’s cycling, inclusive cycling – with an adapted recumbent – and family rides.

“I got talking to volunteers from Bowls England, the British Horse Society – one also a regular cyclist – and the Croquet Association. The overall impression left by a fantastic day was of the large number of cheerful and willing volunteers who contribute to British national life in such a variety of ways, which is something worth celebrating.”