News and Events

The Dickens Fellowship

The Dickens Fellowship is an international organisation which has many branches in the U.K. and all over the world. The Portsmouth Branch is well-established and thriving in this city, having many connections with Charles Dickens, not least the house in which he was born, which has been a museum open to the public for over one hundred years.

If you are interested in the novels and other works of the author, and would like to find out more about his fascinating background and life, there is no better way than joining your local branch of the Fellowship.

Mission Statement

To knit together in a common bond of friendship all lovers of Charles Dickens's writings, and to spread the love of humanity, which is the keynote of all his works.

Portsmouth – the Birth Town of Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was born on 7th February, 1812 in a small terraced house, number 1 Mile End Terrace, Landport, and lived there for the first four months of his life, before the family moved on to 16 Hawke Street, Portsea. When the house came up for sale in 1903 Portsmouth Corporation bought it, and opened it on 22nd July 1904 as a museum dedicated to the great author. It was administered in the earlier years by the Libraries & Museums Committee. In 1967 the Birthplace needed to be renovated, and its large collection of Dickens-related books, largely supplied by its first curator, Mr Alfred Seale, was transferred to the Central Library, which at that time was the one behind the Guildhall, and which is now Park Building, owned by the University.

What does the Portsmouth Branch do?

We hold regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, with the exception of February, July and August. These are held mainly in St. Luke's Church Hall, Greetham Street, and run from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m. The meetings are well-organised, and sometimes include talks, which are usually on a Dickens-related theme. We also have regular discussion and/or readings concerning our book of the year.

What else do we have to offer?

In addition to the meetings we run a number of other events, including:-

• An Annual Birthday Lecture at John Pound's Church, High Street, Old Portsmouth, on the Saturday before 7th February (Charles Dickens's birthday).
• A wreath-laying ceremony at the Birthplace Museum on the 7th February, in celebration of the birth of Charles Dickens.
• A Birthday Tea on the second Tuesday in February.
• A Church Service at St Alban's Church, Copnor on or near the 4th March to celebrate the Baptism of Charles Dickens.
• An annual outing by coach during the month of May.
• An Evensong Service in St. Mary's Church, followed by refreshments and readings from the works of Dickens in the church hall to commemorate the death of Charles Dickens. This takes place on the Sunday nearest to 9th June.
• Film shows at the University Library, University of Portsmouth, Cambridge Road, mostly the films of Dickens's novels.

Forthcoming meetings and events:

Sunday, 3th March 2013
Anniversary of the Baptism of Charles Dickens.
At 10.30 a.m. in St Alban’s Church, Copnor.
The proceedings will include a short service at the Font.

Tuesday, 12th March 2013
Talk: “’Passing on, like the shadow over the sundial’:
time, memory and setting in Little Dorrit” by Dr Tony Williams

Tuesday, 9th April 2013
Presentations/discussion of Little Dorrit

Tuesday, 14th May 2013
Presentations/discussion of Little Dorrit

Sunday, 9th June 2013
Commemoration of the death of Charles Dickens (9.6.1870)
4.00 p.m. Evensong at St. Mary’s Church.
4.30 p.m. Readings and refreshments in the church hall.

Tuesday, 11th June 2013
Bring & Buy Sale
Presentations/Discussion of Little Dorrit

Tuesday, 10th September 2013
Talk by AJP: “Dickens and Brunel”
Presentations/Readings/Discussion of Little Dorrit

Tuesday, 8th October 2013
Presentations/Readings/Discussion of Little Dorrit

Tuesday, 12th November 2013
Annual General Meeting with Bring & Buy
Presentations/Readings/Discussion of Little Dorrit

Tuesday, 10th December 2013
A Dickens Christmas Occasion

Dickens Statue Update

There has had to be one change to the conference.  Because the statue is to be more complex than we envisaged, and its casting in bronze will therefore take longer, instead of the unveiling on 13th August, as we wanted, the sculptor, Martin Jennings, will give an illustrated talk: The Challenge of  Representing Dickens, which some people believe will, given that he will have finished the full clay original and it will be at the foundry, be even more exciting. (We are of course, still working to raise the money). The new unveiling date is to be confirmed.

What does it all cost?

The Branch charges an annual membership fee to members of only £6. This is exceptionally good value for money, and covers all meetings and communication. Certain events, such as the Annual Coach Outing and the Birthday Tea, carry a separate cost, and members are informed of the ticket prices well in advance.

How do you find out more?

For further details and information, or if you would like to consider joining the Dickens Fellowship, please contact:

Geoffrey Christopher:
Tel: 023 9266 4205

Prof. Tony Pointon:
Tel: 023 9238 2241