IN THE week when footballer Bobby Moore was remembered on the 20th anniversary of his death, the people of South Norwood are about to celebrate another World Cup legend.
South Norwood Tourist Board has major plans for Picklesfest 2013 and events kick-off on March 20 with a re-enactment of the canine's discovery of the Jules Rimet Trophy.
Aptly-named Ian Bone, organiser and South Norwood Tourist Board associate, now wants to see a permanent memorial to the dog, who discovered the World Cup in a bush.
He said: "Pickles does not yet have a blue plaque because English Heritage don't seem keen, but maybe we should erect a statue.
"Along with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Pickles is undoubtedly one of South Norwood's two finest sons."
The Advertiser first revealed plans for Picklesfest last year, but now the full programme of events has been revealed.
The famous dog died in 1967 in mysterious circumstances, but a new, remote-controlled Pickles will be returning to the scene for a re-enactment.
The lovingly recreated papier mache dog will stumble across the trophy in the very same bush as 47 years ago in Beulah Hill.
There will also be a series of speakers, including 'world-leading Picklesologist' Richard Jones, as organisers hope to solve some key Pickles-related mysteries.
Mr Bone said: "Pickles' death remains shrouded in mystery. Some people say he was accidentally hanged after chasing a cat up a tree. I don't buy that explanation. The other two mysteries we hope to solve are how the World Cup found its way to a bush in Beulah Hill and who stole it.
"Unfortunately, we can't get Sherlock Holmes down to solve the mysteries because he is not around anymore."
Pickles paid a visit to Selhurst Park last Saturday and there will be representatives of Crystal Palace Football Club at the re-enactment.
The organisers also have ambitious plans for their 2016 event, which will mark the 50th anniversary of Pickles' discovery.
Mr Bone said: "We want to get the real World Cup down to SE25 for the 2016 event, which will be huge for the 50th anniversary of his discovery."
For more information about Picklesfest 2013, visit southnorwoodtouristboard.com
