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Rochester and Chatham

Branch or Affiliate: 

Branch

Year of Affiliation: 

1903

Country: 

United Kingdom

City: 

Rochester & Chatham

Website: 

http://www.dickensfellowship.org/branches/rochester-and-chatham
Steve Martin
15 Weald Close, Istead Rise
Gravesend, Kent DA13 9JX

 

EVENTS LISTING - 2013

 

Rochester-Chatham Branch

The Rochester & Chatham Branch was founded on the 26th of May 1903 and became the 13th Branch of the Fellowship; it is now one of the oldest and one of the most respected Branches in the Dickens Fellowship. Rochester and Chatham have close links with Dickens, who spent his childhood years in Chatham and his later years at Gad’s Hill near Rochester. Both connecting towns are featured in many of his novels. Rochester has two Dickens Festivals a year and Chatham is the home of Dickens World, the indoor theme park. A further connection is that our Branch President is Gerald Dickens, the Great, Great, Grandson of Charles Dickens.

Meetings – are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month, normally in the Education Room of Dickens World (entrance via The Six Jolly Porters, with wheelchair access and facilities for the disabled.)

Subscription - £10 year, joint membership £15. This includes access to all Branch meetings, as well as all other Dickens Fellowship Branches (UK and World Wide). It also includes free admission to the Charles Dickens Museum in Doughty Street, London, reduced entry fee to Dickens World, and reduced subscription to the journal ‘The Dickensian’.

Contact – Steve Martin on 01474 834164 e-mail-stevemartin54@hotmail.com

We have an interesting and varied programme of talks and social events and you don’t have to live in Rochester or Chatham to be a member. We would be very pleased to hear from you wherever you live, and be assured that a warm welcome awaits you.

 

Speakers List  2013
 
  • 17th January 2013. Ian Porter - Dickens London
  • 21st February 2013. Gerald Dickens (TBC) and birthday celebrations.
  • 21st March 2013. Odette Buchanan - Mills and Broom
  • 18th April 2013. Dr. Ann Kneif - The life of a Victorian Courtesan
  • 16th May 2013. David Cufley - Rat Catchers - occupations, professions & Industry
  • 20th June 2013. Mrs Toni Mount - They Dared to be Doctors
  • TBA July 2013. Summer outing TBA.
 
All meetings will be held in the Education Room at Dickens World in Chatham unless notified. December venue TBC.
 
For further details contact the Chairman, Mr John Knott 01634 862688, or the Secretary, Mr Steve Martin, on 01474 834164.

The Rochester & Chatham Branch are urgently fund raising towards the £100,000 required to save Dickens Swiss Chalet, in which he wrote five of his novels. Donations should be made payable to 'The Rochester & Chatham Dickens Fellowship (Chalet Fund)' and sent to 27, Amethyst Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME5 9TX England'

More on the Dickens Swiss Chalet