The Dickens Fellowship Conference 2010

Panoramic View of Eastbourne by David Iliff

Panorama by David Iliff

The 104th conference of the Dickens Fellowship will be held in Eastbourne from 21st to 26th July 2010. Based at the Chatsworth Hotel on the sea front, it will also use the adjacent Mansion Lions Hotel for lectures and additional accommodation.

Single, twin and double rooms will be available, all en-suite. Most have sea views and these will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

Details of the conference programme are given below. This will be updated as arrangements are confirmed.

Booking terms and charges are given on the booking form linked to this page. To make a booking, please print out the form, complete it and send it with your remittance to the address given.

Please address any queries to Maggie de Vos: dickens2010@googlemail.com

Provisional Programme of Events

Thursday 22nd July
7.30 - 8.30 am Breakfast  
9.00 am Day trip to Dickens World, Chatham
  OR Bloomsbury Group Tour
  • ** Involves some walking to reach the sites and there are steps to be climbed! **
  • Visit to Charleston Farmhouse and Berwick Church
  • Viewing of wartime murals painted by Duncan Grant, Quentin and Vanessa Bell
  • Lunch in country 'pub' and tour of other places frequented by the Bloomsbury Group
6.30 pm Dinner  
8.00 pm Evening entertainment
  • Gerald Dickens
Friday 23rd July
7.30 - 8.30 am Breakfast  
9.00 am Two lectures
  • Professor Tony Pointon
  • Dr Joanne Eysell
11.00 am Coffee break  
11.20 am Lecture
  • Professor Jacky Bratton
12.30 pm Lunch  
2.00 pm Coastal tour
  • Pevensey medieval village with Roman and Norman castles
  • Boat trip to Sovereign Lighthouse and along the coast via the white cliffs and Beachy Head
6.30 pm Dinner  
8.00 pm Evening entertainment
  • Victorian slide show with items probably seen by Dickens himself
  • Given by a 'Legal Eagle' on legal cases 1830-1840 that may have interested or influenced Charles Dickens
Saturday 24th July
7.30 - 8.30 am Breakfast  
9.00 am Annual General Meeting  
11.00 am Coffee break  
11.20 am Lecture  
12.30 pm Lunch  
2.00 pm Visit to the Royal Pavilion, Brighton
7.00 for 7.30 pm Banquet  
Sunday 25th July
7.30 - 8.30 am Breakfast  
9.00 am Two lectures
  • Professor John Bowen
  • Dr Tony Williams
11.00 am Coffee break  
11.20 am Lecture
  • Professor Jenny Hartley
12.30 pm Lunch
  • Traditional Sunday roast
2.00 pm Coastal trips
  • By horse-drawn coach along the promenade
  • and/or by open top bus to Beachy Head (weather permitting)
4.00 pm Evensong
  • at Trinity Trees Victorian church
6.30 pm Dinner  
8.00 pm Evening entertainment
  • Victorian Old Time Music Hall
Monday 26th July
By 11.00 am Breakfast and departures
  • Delegates to check out by 11.00 am
Charles Dickens
Chatsworth Hotel

The Chatsworth Hotel, Eastbourne
.. venue for the 2010 Conference