Sunshine on four wheels
If you live or work in or around Diss there
know it was time to head off to work,” says
are many reasons to be cheerful. There’s
Pat of his time at Diss’ iconic Brush Factory.
the glorious Mere and park, a vibrant and
Now a resident of Burston, Pat has never
eclectic mix of shops and businesses,
driven a car, preferring bicycles instead.
tranquil outdoor spaces and walks, a
“All I’ve ever had is a bicycle,” says Pat. “I
supportive and caring community spirit,
didn’t fancy learning to drive a car. I’ve been
and then there’s Patrick Woods. Or ‘PAT 85’
cycling all my life.”
as many of you will know him.
Pat’s current bike is, however, rather special. Unlike any of his previous models,
Flowers, feather dusters and fluffy
it’s a four-wheeler. And it’s covered in…
parrots
stuff! So, what prompted the change?
Anyone who’s bumped into Pat by the Mere,
All because of a hoover
on the market or in the park will no doubt have left wearing a smile. Festooned in
“It’s laughable really,” says Pat. “I went into
flowers, feather dusters and topped with a
the electrical shop to buy a hoover. When I
fluffy parrot, Pat’s favoured mode of
was inside the shop, I fell down and broke
transport when he’s travelling into town is
my thigh. After a long stay in hospital, and
his beloved four-wheel bicycle. And it’s this
some time convalescing, I had a follow-up
bike, and Pat’s equally colourful personality,
appointment with my consultant. He
which are guaranteed to raise a smile.
advised me not to ride a bike again. I
A local from birth, Pat has spent most of his
couldn’t bear the thought of this and of
85 years living and working in Diss and the
losing my independence. So I decided to
surrounding villages.
compromise and buy a bike that was as safe
“At 8am, you’d hear the loud hooter and
and stable as it could be. I went to Madgetts
20 Diss Matters Summer 2021
