1 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM The 2010 Eastbourne Dickens Fellowship Conference Photo Essay by Herb Moskovitz Friends of Dickens, New York City The Eastbourne Dickens Fellowship has shown us that practice makes perfect. Eastbourne has hosted seven annual conferences, the most any branch has hosted, and this year they gave us a perfect conference. Many of the activities were centered in the Chatsworth Hotel and the Mansion Hotel, which was next door to the Chatsworth; two Victorian beauties overlooking the English Channel.
2 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM This is the Chatsworth. The opening reception on Wednesday, July 21, was highlighted by a visit by the Lady Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Carolyn Heaps. She promised fireworks afterwards, accompanied by a band playing the 1812 Overture and she delivered. All because Dickens was born in 1812, no doubt.
3 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM On Thursday, July 22 nd, we went to Dickens World in Chatham. Street theatre, animatronic figures, 4D cinema, Dickensian ghosts and a thrilling boat ride are highlights of this Dickensian experience. The proprietors conferred with members of the Dickens Fellowship, especially Thelma Grove, so they got all the Dickens facts and figures correct. After our time in Dickens World we went to Gad s Hill Place, where we had tea and a tour of the building that was once Dickens s home. The school is building a new school building and Dickens s home will become a museum. Herb Moskovitz from the Friends of Dickens in New York was thrilled to visit the Dickensian and Shakespearean site again. (photo by Maggie de Vos.)
4 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM President Grahame Smith gave his keynote speech after dinner. (All of the meals were scrumptious.) Gerald Dickens and Liz Hayes performed scenes from childhood, combining selected Dickens writings about children and Robert Schumann s Kinderszenen on Thursday evening. Following three excellent lectures on Friday, July 23 rd, we traveled to Pevensey where
5 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM we saw the ruins of a Roman Fort that dated from about AD 290, and built on top of that, a Norman Castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1066. Here we see Cathy Thompson and Lee Ault from Canterbury, exploring the historical site. After also touring a 12 th century church and a 16 th century courthouse and jail we had tea at the Castle Cottage Tea Room.
6 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM Mike and Su Quinn, Barbara Zimmerman from New York and Herbert Savory from Durham all enjoyed the treats.
7 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM On Friday evening, the entertainment was a Magic Lantern show, given by John Burgess and his wife, Thelma. The highlight of the evening was a slide show of Martin Chuzzlewit. Following the AGM and an excellent lecture by Tony Pointon we traveled to Brighton on Saturday to see the Royal Pavillion.
8 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM Jens, Birgitte and Mikkel Lund from Denmark are joined by Professor Michael Slater from Central.
9 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM Geoff and Joan Dicks from Central rest after touring the massive building. The annual Banquet was held Saturday evening. At the head table were Professor Michael Slater, Angela Smith, President Grahame Smith, Lee Ault, Michael Rogers and Thelma Grove. Professor Slater gave the Toast to the Immortal Memory.
10 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM Michael Rogers was amused by a plastic piggy bank with Mr Micawber s famous quote about money printed on its side. All the delegates received piggy banks. Mary Jane Mallonee from Friends of Dickens in New York asked Michael Slater to sign her copy of his new critically hailed biography of Charles Dickens.
11 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM Following three more excellent lectures on Sunday morning, we traveled by open top bus to Beachy Head, the highest point along the coast with much history to tell. The winds and changing weather will be remembered for a long time. The entertainment after our Traditional English Sunday Lunch (but served at dinner time) was led by Romy McCabe and Cliff Bendall.
12 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM Malcolm Andrews and Allan Clack from Central, and Tony Pointon and Sue Healey from
13 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM Portsmouth, added to the mirth. At the end of the evening, Joint Honorary General Secretary Lee Ault thanked Maggie de Vos for all the hard work she did that led to such a successful conference. Herbert Savory from Durham closed the evening with a funny poem written especially for the conference, with Chris Mcloughlin translating it so that the delegates could understand it.
14 of 14 11/11/2010 8:47 PM -- By Herb Moskovitz Friends of Dickens, New York City