Back in October I received a letter from the “Torch Trophy Trust” inviting me to travel to London to receive an award for outstanding voluntary service to the Welsh Cycling Union.

It came as a really pleasant surprise and it was obvious Rae Hughes had been working behind the scenes. With the WCU and the Trust sharing expenses it made it possible for Keri and myself to make it a day out together which we seldom seem to get other than on cycling events or perhaps at an antiques auction.

We decided to use the trains which while it was the best option for a day out we managed to miss both outward and return by 5 minutes! It was quite a novelty as the last time I went to London by train it was pulled by a steam locomotive!. However some things don't change because after arriving and a nice lunch we boarded an old AEC double decker, of which many are still surviving from the 50's. and journeyed to Trafalgar Square via all the shopping streets getting ready for Christmas.

After a while it was time to make our way to the Queen's Club, West Kensington, the only address we had which I realised by asking directions was the Club famous for the sport of tennis.

At the reception I checked through the list of recipients and was pleased to find that another cyclists was being honoured for services to the sport in the South-East, Norman Wright accompanied by his wife and coach Mark Wyer. This helped make the evening even more memorable as we immediately got on really well and as is my usual ploy booked them for this year's Junior Tour of Wales which is now in its 21st year.

The ceremony was introduced by Jimmy Hill (the one with the big chin who used to introduce Match of the Day for some ball game?) and the trophies were presented by the Duchess of Gloucesster and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Jimmy Hill made play of Rae's build up for me and was, I’m sure, expecting me to emerge on a zimmer frame when he quoted that I was the "last remaining member of the original Welsh Cycling Union Committee". The Duchess was really charming and Bobby is still just one of the boys and so easy to talk to, a conversation which took in the Junior Tour and we spoke about training school children for sport which he is very interested in. Together with some good wine and food it made an excellent climax to a really great day for which I am both honoured and proud.

John Richards