charlesdickenslondon
Camilla, Natasha and Great Ormond Street Hospital
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Christopher West: Posted on 16 March 2013 19:21
 Please be generous in your support for these young pharmacists, working so hard to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Archbishop Rowan Williams, himself an authority on Dickens, said "You have to grow through generosity - that is, I think, the Dickens lesson that I would want to see etched in granite across the life of this country," Charles Dickens was truly generous in his huge financial support for GOSH- they would have closed in the early days had it not been for his strong support. I'll  be there, talking about Charles Dickens's support for GOSH- hope to see
If you can't attend, please give generously via Just Giving- their |
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Christopher West: Posted on 20 February 2013 09:19
 We are collecting at Earls Court Underground Station this Saturday for GOSH and still need volunteers to help. If you can spare two hours, please get in touch with me at The same applies if you want to  send a contribution, Please help,WE NEED YOU- Many Thanks.
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Christopher West: Posted on 24 December 2012 08:25
 My next Talk, Charles Dickens And His Christmas, will be held at The George In The Strand, this Friday at 4.30 pm. Many thanks and appreciation to all the people who have contacted me during this great year celebrating 200 years of Dickens and his greatness- we now have the splendidly up to date Dickens Museum open again in Doughty Street. The recent Dickens Day for Great Ormond Street Hospital was greatly enjoyed, and we will continue to fund raise next year. I wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year in true Dickensian fashion. |
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Christopher West: Posted on 08 December 2012 14:14
 Chantelle talked brilliantly at Dickens Day For GOSH about her gratitude to Great Ormond Street Hospital. She was 15 and a Sickle Cell Survivor. When she was 4, she was diagnosed with Sickle Cell and had complications with stroke, coma, meningitis and kidney infection. Her 16th birthday is today, the 8th December and she says 'I am very grateful to Great Ormond Street Hospital for the work they do that helps children like myself". As a well deserved present, she is invited, with her sister and Mum, to the Arts Theatre, to a performance of Simon Callow in 'A Christmas Carol'.
On behalf of all our volunteers, have a splendid 16th birthday and a wonderful theatre visit! Many happy returns, Chantelle!
Please go to her blog www.chantellesdream.blogspot.co.uk to read more about her journey. You can also search for Chantelle’s Dream on twitter and facebook to stay in touch.
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Posted on 02 December 2012 12:56
  Supper Dance at Chuzzlewits
Saturday 8th December from 7.30p.m.
* Traditional Christmas Dinner (or alternative available) * Christopher West will give a short summary of the recent Dickens Day For GOSH event at the Royal Society For Medicine. * There will also be a fun, festive Twist With Dickens Quiz
* Cost £11.95 + £5 donation for GOSH
The venue is in Thomas More Square, up from Waitrose. near Fitness First. 10 minute walk from Tower Hill Tube or use 100 bus. For tickets, please email chriswandco@yahoo.co.uk or phone 02035833328 |
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Christopher West: Posted on 02 December 2012 08:56
 Congratulations Beata Raczkiewicz, Member Services Manager at Fitness First, Thomas More Square- she organised a day long spinathon cycling event, raising £260 for Dickens Day for Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was a great day, she inspired everyone with her engaging but determined smile- raising money for the world famous hospital, of which Dickens was a great benefactor. Well done, many thanks Beata. Money can still be donated to Dickens Day For GOSH, just press:
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Christopher West: Posted on 01 December 2012 08:59
 Hi everyone- well we had a truly great day- for me, the thought that so many youngsters (and not so young) went away having really enjoyed themselves and been inspired, thinking about positive issues such as personal best and excellence, was very exciting. Whether you gave a lot or a little of your time and energy, you did it, like me, for free! I am very proud to feel that so many people have enjoyed helping for the sake of it, rather than for financial reward; many of you have gone home proud and  thrilled to feel that in some small way you, like me, have helped to make a difference. Thank you, all of you, most humbly and sincerely. Of course, I'll let everyone know how much we have already raised- and I will be continuing until the end of year or January. Thank you again, so much. If you wish to donate:http://www.justgiving.com/Christopher-West
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Christopher West: Posted on 24 November 2012 22:48
 Tickets still available at the door- Christmas Fayre is free. Or donate through
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 24 November 2012 09:28
 This gorgeous young girl is my granddaughter Natasha, the inspiration for Dickens Day. Her life was saved by brilliant surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital- she was only four weeks old when admitted to GOSH, with a cyst in her throat. Days passed as these top world experts observed and tested. The situation became critical, so she was put in intensive care. Days later, her condition dramatically worsened and she was operated on as an emergency; we understand that there were seven surgeons involved! The life saving operation was successful- thank you, so much, GOSH. The cyst was eventually identified as benign, and we can now hardly see the scar. Paul was marvellous with the children and supporting Camilla. Natasha's brother Oskar and his younger sister Lola
 were so very worried, and behaved splendidly during this incredibly stressful period for all of us. I was fortunate to be with Camilla at GOSH myself, much of the time- Camilla was superb and GOSH was EXCELLENT!
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Christopher West: Posted on 23 November 2012 08:56
"The Matthews Family perform for your delight, a dramatic and musical celebration of the mid-Victorian explorers who searched for the NW Passage, the fate of HM Discovery Ship RESOLUTE, and the Wilkie Collins/Charles Dickens 1856 Christmas play collaboration, The Frozen Deep. With a cast that includes Sir John Franklin, Captain Edward "Hell Afloat" Belcher (the villain), the noble Captain Henry Kellett (the Hero), Captain James Buddington, Charles Dickens, Lady Jane Franklin (the Heroine), and Queen Victoria herself. Fun will be had by all!"
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Christopher West: Posted on 21 November 2012 23:11
 If you still haven't made up your mind about attending Dickens Day, this blog is for YOU. On Thursday 22nd Nov. I will be talking on the Robert Elms BBC London radio show about how brilliant the event will be, and how you really must come along to support us. I am due on at 1 40, so please do listen. If you have to miss coming along, please just donate what you are comfortable with. It will be a busy day, because I will also be giving a talk about Dickens Day, at Fitness First, in Thomas More Square- Beata and her colleagues are devoting a whole day to a special programme called Spinathon. raising money for GOSH, by having sponsors cycling right through the day,  so I will look forward to saying hello to them and wishing them well Come along at 6 pm if you would like to, for my Talk.
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Christopher West: Posted on 21 November 2012 13:03
 Amrit Hare is an 11-year-old boy from Leeds, who is home-educated alongside his brother, Taran, aged seven. They are taught by their schoolteacher father. In 2010, at the tender age of 8, Amrit had read the Complete Works of Shakespeare. In 2012, as a 10-year-old, he decided to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Dickens, by reading all 36 volumes of the Complete Works of Charles Dickens. He combined his reading of Dickens with a visit to Portsmouth to see the writer's birthplace; attendance at the National Dickens Readers' Day in Lancaster; a viewing of the Dickens and his World exhibition at the Bodleian
 Library, University of Oxford and seeing as many plays based on the books as he could. Amrit talks about how his Dickens reading progressed. Would he recommend the experience? Join him to find out. (We certainly will)!
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Christopher West: Posted on 21 November 2012 09:38
Chantelle, will be talking about her gratitude to Great Ormond Street Hospital. She is 15 and a Sickle Cell Survivor. When she was 4, she was diagnosed with Sickle Cell and had complications with stroke, coma, meningitis and kidney infection. She will be 16 on the 8 December and is very grateful that she she has survived this long. She says " It is a big and I am hoping to have a big celebration of my life. I am speaking here today because I am very grateful to Great
 Ormond Street Hospital for the work they do that helps children like myself". Please go to her blog www.chantellesdream.blogspot.co.uk to read more about her journey. You can also search for Chantelle’s Dream on twitter and facebook to stay in touch.
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Christopher West: Posted on 18 November 2012 16:17
Well known writer, Lucinda Hawksley, will be a guest speaker at our Dickens Day For GOSH, next Sunday, 25th November, at the Royal Society For Medicine, Wimpole Street. You may already know that she is the great great great granddaughter of Charles Dickens, so no surprise that she talks expertly on the subject. Lucinda is sitting where her famous  ancester used to sit, while eating at Rules, one of his favourite restaurants. Pictured with Lucinda, is Dominick Gerrard also performing for us, with his puppet, Scrooge.
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Christopher West: Posted on 18 November 2012 10:43
 A poem by Matthew Thompson, a young outpatient at GOSH, set to music by Christopher Schlechte-Bond. The title is "I'm So Happy To Have You There", and will be sung for Matthew, his family and friends (and, of course, the public) at Dickens Day For GOSH. They will also sing a selection of their favourite carols. The photo shows the composer holding the music, accompanied by Lucinda Hawksley, well known great great great granddaughter of Charles Dickens, and myself. We are standing in Rules Restaurant, on the actual spot where the great man ate regularly at his favourite table.
The Choristers are all university students (undergrad/postgrad)). Running for the past two years, the choir has sung some major choral works, including Mozart's Requiem, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, our next concert being a performance of Brahms' Requiem at King's College London's Strand Campus on the 2nd of December. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/kingscollegechorus!
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Christopher West: Posted on 17 November 2012 08:21
 One of the stars performing at Dickens Day will be Dominic Gerrard and his Scrooge. All the young performers and helpers are also stars, so do come and see this splendid lineup on the 25th. If you can't attend, please donate. Former Whatsonstage Award winners Tim Carroll and Dominic Gerrard re-unite in this special festive performance of Dickens’s most famous Christmas story. Adapted and performed by Dominic Gerrard, this show will transport you through Scrooge’s life as he journeys
 out, one bleak Christmas night, with the ghosts that have been sent to reclaim him Tim Carroll (who is currently directing Mark Rylance and Stephen Fry in the West End's Richard III andTwelfth Night) returns to direct this bicentennial production that incorporates puppetry and a Christmas soundscape."I was spellbound by Dominic Gerrard's one-man show of A Christmas Carol. It's the perfect way to begin your Christmas " Lucinda Dickens Hawksley " I came away transfixed and am even writing this with a smile on my face ... please please please go to see this if you can." The Public Reviews.
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Christopher West: Posted on 16 November 2012 07:14
 The drama club attached to Our Lady of The Visitation RC School will be performing at Dickens Day on the 25th November at 11am. They will perform three short scenes selected from Oliver Twist, showcasing their creative talents. This Catholic school prides itself on celebrating the arts and being a keen supporter to community. There is a programme of period drama and music right through the day. Buy your early bird ticket, or donate at
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Christopher West: Posted on 14 November 2012 19:01
 Chiswick School Theatre Company is performing 'Hard Times,' an adaptation of the opening pages of Dickens Hard Times, featuring a scene set in Coketown school. This shows Dickens’ satirical attitude to schooling in the 1800s. There will be performances and inspirational Talks taking place right through the day. If you can't make it on the day, please donate to help us raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, of which Dickens was a great patron.
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Christopher West: Posted on 13 November 2012 15:58
 Portland Place School will be performing scenes from the classic Oliver Twist at our Dickens Day event at the Royal Society For Medicine, Wimpole Street. For enquiries, please
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Christopher West: Posted on 11 November 2012 09:30
 It will all happen two weeks today. One of the schools performing is Trevor-Roberts School in Swiss Cottage. Their senior choir will be performing seasonal carols and carol-anthems: Ding dong merrily on high, Hark the herald, In the bleak mid-winter, O come all ye faithful, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, Walking in a winter wonderland, The Trevor-Roberts Chamber choir will sing What sweeter music.They will also have some pupils performing extracts from Dylan Thomas' 'A child's Christmas'. Sounds wonderful? Yes, and this is but a sample. Please book tickets asap.
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Christopher West: Posted on 09 November 2012 23:52
 We have a whole series of performers, right through the day on the 25th November. For example, Orchard House School, Chiswick, will be performing 3 songs + 2 sketches, 'Who will buy' by Lionel Bart (from Oliver Twist) Little Jack Horner - Traditional Wassail song - Traditional Monologue by Scrooge Scene from Scrooge's Counting House. This is just a sample. There will also be inspirational Talks throughout the day, a Christmas Fayre and exhibition
For tickets, or to donate if you can't attend,
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Christopher West: Posted on 07 November 2012 18:43
 We now have a fine new poster, thanks to Photini, a very talented post grad volunteer, helping with our exciting Dickens Day event, coming up on Sunday 25 th November. Tickets are now available on eventbrite and you can also donate on the site if you can't come along. Various schools and groups are performing right through the day; watch postings in the next few days to see what's going on, or better, still, just buy or donate.
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Christopher West: Posted on 29 October 2012 09:05
 We will be discussing various aspects of Dickens interest in Christmas, and his driving energy towards influencing employers, such as factory owners and the professions, to allow an official holiday for employees to rest and and enjoy a special day with the family. I refer, on my website, to his huge influence towards Christmas films and theatre productions- no surprise then, that we currently have Simon Callow appearing in Christmas Carol and Tommy Steele in Scrooge, both in major West End Theatres. So his influence is still felt very strongly felt today. How was this great man so deeply motivated and dedicated towards reform? What  drove Dickens intense energy? Just how important is he?
We will share some of the answers on Tuesday!
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Christopher West: Posted on 28 October 2012 11:01
 Tickets are now on sale for this great, fun event, celebrating 200 years of Charles Dickens. His link with GOSH was, of course, all important; the BBC did an excellent piece to illustrate this, with me as CD, reading from his work, filming at GOSH and the Dickens Museum. Please remember to tell your friends and buy tickets by clicking on 'buy tickets' below. To view film, please click here:
Charity No 235825 |
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Christopher West: Posted on 24 October 2012 22:02
 Tickets are now on sale for our prestigious Dickens Day for GOSH- so please purchase asap and tell your friends. If you are unable to attend, there is a space for you to donate, any amount will be greatly appreciated. Proceeds will be donated to the charity. We are all volunteers, working for free, and we have been able to keep costs to a minimum.Lots of schools and groups are looking forward to performing period music and drama right through the day, celebrating 200 years of Charles Dickens; there will be various inspirational Talks, Exhibition and Christmas Fayre. |
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Christopher West: Posted on 20 October 2012 10:02
 My next Talk will focus on Charles Dickens influence on Christmas- there is far more than just 'Christmas Carol', despite its well earned world acclaim. His four other Christmas books, together with numerous articles also associated, give a fascinating insight into his personality and his great pioneering spirit towards achieving a better, fairer set of living standards for ordinary people. For more details:
 This theme will be present at our Dickens Day (For Great Ormond Hospital), on November 25th, when schools and other groups will be celebrating 200 years of Dickens and his devotion to GOSH and the suffering of children. Do buy tickets and join us. |
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christopher west: Posted on 07 October 2012 09:10
 This adorable sketch has been presented to us by Jane Young, designer and Historian.It depicts, in clever Dickensian style, the link between Great Ormond Street Hospital and the sick children that were such a concern to Charles Dickens. Tiny Tim would have greatly benefited from correct treatment, and symbolises how  fortunate we are now to have the facilities offered at GOSH. We still have room for more schools, choirs and drama groups to perform, and we would love to hear from inspirational speakers who could give half hour talks.We will cherish the sketch and ensure it is displayed in a place of honour  at our
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Christopher West: Posted on 30 September 2012 10:09
This Talk will explore Charles Dickens aspirations and achievements as his life developed, from his childhood, early career, then into marriage and becoming a father, having to cope with success and eventually failing in his marriage. Despite huge setbacks, particularly in childhood, Dickens did always believe in doing his best and aspiring towards excellence. Simon Callow has pointed out that Dickens may have been bipolar- with modern understanding (as with the improvement in knowledge about disablement, following the gargantuan Paralympics) does this help us to sympathise with some of the criticism of the great man? The Talk will be presented lightly and entertainingly, and there will be opportunity for discussion and participation. Book here for tickets, also available at the bar.
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Christopher West: Posted on 23 September 2012 09:03
 This Talk will explore Charles Dickens aspirations and achievements as his life developed, from his childhood, early career, then into marriage and becoming a father, having to cope with success and eventually failing in his marriage. Despite huge setbacks, particularly in childhood, Dickens did always believe in doing his best and aspiring towards excellence. Simon Callow has pointed out that Dickens may have been bipolar- with modern understanding (as with the improvement in knowledge about disablement, following the gargantuan Paralympics) does this help us to sympathise with some of the criticism of the great man? The Talk will be presented lightly and entertainingly, and there will be opportunity for discussion and participation. |
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Christopher West: Posted on 22 September 2012 07:40
 Volunteers reminding us of the importance of Charles Dickens influence in building the magnificent Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand. We are working hard with all the work needed to organise this big event. Schools, choirs, music and drama groups are welcome
Tiny Tim reminds us just how far medicine has improved, not least thanks to the excellence of Great Ormond Street Hospital and its pioneering techniques. Charles Dickens gave so much time and effort to influence society and improve conditions, also helping GOSH with money to expand. Our Dickens Day will celebrate this with young people performing music and drama and having a great time. We also need more volunteers, so please do get in touch. Click here for more information about Dickens Day, 25th November 2012 |
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Christopher West: Posted on 06 September 2012 21:51
Charity No 235825
 This major event will be held at the Royal Society of Medicine, On Sunday 25th November, and will bring children together to celebrate Charles Dickens huge influence on legal reform, education and hospitals. There will be Dickensian music performed by schools and i ndividuals, Christmas Fayre, displays and exhibits, and a series of fun talks, cartoons and
 films, all about Charles Dickens and his London. You may know that Dickens played a great part in helping Great Ormond Street Hospital to grow and thrive- all money raised will be donated to this great hospital. Anyone interested in this exciting event, whether teachers, performers, exhibitors, sponsors, fund raisers or volunteers, please get in touch- it promises to be an excellent event.
Venue's Luxury Theatre and splendid Exhibition Hall / Christmas Fayre Space:
 The Royal Society of Medicine is at the end ofWimpole Street, opposite the rear of House of Fraser, Oxford street, London W1. |
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christopher west: Posted on 02 September 2012 11:15
 Tickets are still available for my next Talk on Tuesday. We'll be discussing different views about the great man, including some of the comments made by Claire Tomalin. Quoting from the Guardian about her excellent book, they wrote 'Refusing to judge (even though Dickens could be vindictive, self-justifying, pompous and unforgiving) she reveals his flaws with something approaching affection and presents an unforgettably rich and compassionate portrait of a prodigiously extravagant heart'. For more details, click here. |
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Charles Dickens London: Posted on 27 August 2012 09:52
 "Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do it well; whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself completely; in great aims and in small I have always thoroughly been in earnest." Charles Dickens said this towards the end of his life. We will explore what famous critics had to say, both good and bad, then measure this against definitions of excellence. Comments are welcome.
This splendid historical pub is the venue for some of my Talks about Charles Dickens. It is opposite the Royal Courts of Justice and just along from St Mary's Le Strand, where Dickens parents were married.
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Christopher West: Posted on 24 August 2012 07:42
 In my Talk, we'll discuss how others perceived Charles Dickens, his aspirations and legacy. Queen Victoria commented, shortly after Dickens died, in her diary, 'He had a large loving mind and the strongest sympathy with the poorer classes. He felt sure a  better feeling, and much greater  union of classes, would take place in time. And I pray earnestly it may'. We'll also look at some of his critics and their views.
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christopher west: Posted on 19 August 2012 09:03
 Charles Dickens sought after excellence right through his life. Even with the publication of his earliest works, he found the best illustrators available. He excelled in much of his work and effort, motivated by the fear of failure, not least financial, and also had to deal
 with huge injustice, rejection and his personal failure in marriage. But his great drive and energy spurred him on to success after success. There are so many inspirational quotes taken from his work; some favourites are 'A day wasted on others is not wasted on one's self',. 'A loving heart is the truest wisdom'. There is nothing so strong or safe in an emergency of life as the simple truth'. The power of these words help make clear why we are celebrating 200 years of Charles Dickens. For more details, click here.
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 18 August 2012 08:52
 Thanks again to Royal Society of Medicine, Wimpole Street for hosting our event. We are going from strength to strength with the organisation of this important event. A number of volunteers have come forward to help, and several celebrities have already agreed to talk to the children during the event. Please do get in touch if you are interested in exhibiting, sponsoring or fund raising. We'll be contacting schools and other organisations soon. For more details, click here.
Charity no: 235825
 This BBC Film features Lucinda Hawksley and myself showing how important Charles Dickens was in his support for Great Ormond Street Hospital. |
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 16 August 2012 08:00
 This Talk will follow how Charles Dickens became motivated and able to turn adversity into success. Even for his earliest work, when he was struggling for recognition and acceptance, he insisted on the highest quality from publishers and illustrators. Of course, he knew failure and had setbacks, but still thrust forward, to earn his place as the leading reformer of his time, second only to Shakespeare in the world of
literature, and one of the finest stage performers with his one man shows. This theme will also be celebrated in my major charity event in November, celebrating 200 years of Charles Dickens, raising funds for Great Ormond Hospital, the hospital that is very grateful for Dickens support and huge patronage. The Talk will take place at The George
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Charles Dickens London: Posted on 11 August 2012 08:55
 Sunday 25th November is now the date, at the awesome Royal Society Of Medicine at
1, Wimpole Street, W1. It will be a great day for
celebratating 200 years of Charles Dickens and his importantant link with the great Hospital.
charity no 235825
  The Day will involve schools and groups presenting Dickensian themed drama and music in the splendid
Theatre, an exhibition and Christmas Fayre, as well as a programme of Talks , films and cartoons, some
 presented by celebrity speakers. Please do get in
touch if you would like to take part, volunteer to help, or want more information.
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charles dickens london: Posted on 24 July 2012 18:16
 We now have a splendid lego
windmill and stage being built
to show a Danish programme
of fighting vikings and musical
events. I'm told that there will
be all kinds of Danish food on
offer, and lots of surprises yet to be announced.  The grand opening will be on
Friday. St Katharine Docks is
filling now with boats visiting
for the Olympics, and we
already have the Chinese Junk and the fascinating Phoenicia, so there is a great deal to see while you are here.
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 21 July 2012 07:50
Charles Dickens writings had a big
influence on the governments of both
Gladstone and Disraeli, leading to the
abolition of the outdated courts around Westminster Hall, and the building of
The Royal Courts Of Justice. Do come along
to my next Talk, where we will discuss much more about this great man's first hand experience of the law, and how his work  helped to reform it.
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 15 July 2012 08:37
 This major event, in November, will bring children together to celebrate Charles Dickens huge influence on legal reform, education and hospitals. There will be Dickensian music performed by schools and individuals, Edwardian craft, displays and exhibits, and a series of fun talks, cartoons and films, all about Charles Dickens and his London. You may know
 that Dickens played a great part in helping Great Ormond Street Hospital to grow and thrive- all money raised will be donated to this great hospital.Anyone interested in this exciting event, whether teachers, performers, exhibitors, sponsors, donors, please do get in touch on chriswand co@yahoo.co.uk. |
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 03 July 2012 09:14
 Last minute tickets are still available, so come along
and pay on arrival. The Talk is ideal for those who
haven't yet heard enough about the life of
Charles Dickens and his huge influence on literature
and social reform- he was also the most sought after
speaker of his time and was a great entertainer.
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 01 July 2012 10:49
The Embankment was created
during the 1860's, prior to which,
most of it was just part of the
River Thames. This film shows
the Embankment Gardens at
Temple, and the statue of William
Forster, the liberal reformer who
introduced elementary education
for all children, following in good
Dickensian tradition.It is also close
to the internationally famous
barristers headquarters recently
featured in the television series 'Silk'.
 This fine print shows early construction
work on London's Embankment, the earlier triumph of Joseph Bazalgette, prior to his engineering brilliance in building London's sewers, still in
service today.
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 29 June 2012 08:56
 The Strand looked so different, of course, in Charles Dickens time.  The sound of the horses hooves and the huge number of street vendors shouting for business made it almost deafening at times, not to forget
the smells of smoke and of rotting rubbish and worse. This is the London
that so inspired Charles Dickens to become the great writer, reformer and
entertainer. Tickets still available from The George In The Strand or on the
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 28 June 2012 18:07
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 26 June 2012 11:36
 This splendid Chinese Junk will be here in St Katharine Docks until at least after the Olympics. Hua Shan is the main brains behind this whole venture, bringing the first Chinese vessel up the Thames for many, many years. The boat was shipped from Hong Kong to Tilbury
 (costing megabucks), but was apparently delayed in a queue at Suez, so, just missing its pride of place in the Royal Pageant celebrations. He is the father of Alexander Hua Tian, the young Chinese event
equestrian, and husband of British wife Sarah Noble.
 Hua Shan has told me that they will be entertaining many of the Chinese Olympics team; with his son's strong links with horse eventing, who knows who some of the English guests may be? |
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 24 June 2012 06:16
 This is St Mary le Strand, the fine church where Charles Dickens parents were
married, just along from The George,
where my Talk will be held.
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 21 June 2012 07:00
 Charles Dickens mentions tea and tea shop(pe)s numerously throughout his writings; he famously quotes from the 18th century nursery rhyme 'Polly put the kettle on' in Barnaby Rudge. In Oliver Twist, Dickens uses the precise teamaking ceremony of Mrs
Corney, the matron of workhouse, to display her self-satisfaction, and
she is wooed over a cup of tea by the grasping, tyrannical beadle, Mr
Bumble, who, after her leaving the room, inspects her tea-making
implements to check that it is 'genuine silver'. Most famous among tea suppliers is, of course, Twinings. Their delightful shop and museum is next to my venue, The George In The Strand. They describe themselves as follows: 'Thomas Twining bought Tom's Coffee
House on London's Strand in 1706. The location of the shop
was perfect as it straddled the border between Westminster and the
City of London, an area that was newly populated with the
aristocracy displaced by the Great Fire of London'. - You can also taste, free of charge (and so refreshing).
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 17 June 2012 10:49
 If you aren't yet too
familiar about the
details of Charles Dickens life, this will recap the
important facts and we will
also discuss Dickensian
 London, with emphasis on
nearby Covent Garden,
Fleet Street, Strand and
The Old Bailey. This
delightful painting is of The
 Strand in Dickensian time.
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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 15 June 2012 18:32
 The Phoenicia is a fascinating replica of
sailing vessels dating back to 600 BC,
when the Phoenicians were the World's
first great maritime traders.
St Katharine Docks witnessed the heights
of GB as the latest great sea power, so
how splendid for us to see so far back
 into maritime history. Captain Phillip Beale
is totally dedicated and immersed in this
project, and an early visit may be a shrewd
idea, because it is obviously going to be a
great attraction, open until September;
very informative, with all kinds of important
historical information. Do visit, you'll love it!
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