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Christopher West: Posted on 16 December 2012 12:39
 Certainly, Charles Dickens influenced the revival of Christmas as the national holiday that we know today. The success of A Christmas Carol was overshadowed by another writer copying the story and publishing. Dickens was furious and sued for compensation; he won his case, but the defendant declared bankruptcy, so Dickens was left to pay his costs, which virtually wiped out the profits from A Christmas Carol. Dickens recalled “the expense, and anxiety and horrible injustice of the Carol case,” adding to his bitterness about the legal profession. This experience influenced Dickens in his writing of Bleak House, which helped to improve the system and eventually to the  building of The Royal Courts Of Justice. Hear more at my next Talk, Introducing Charles Dickens And His Christmas, at The George In The Strand on Friday 28 th December at 4.30 pm.
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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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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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charlesdickenslondon: Posted on 06 June 2012 08:07
 What a wonderful Queen! And husband, Prince Phillip.
This evening's Talk at 6 pm will share much more
about Her Majesty and we will continue the celebration
by talking about Her links with Charles Dickens, also
with her great grandmother Queen Victoria. We will be
eating together after the Talk finishes, at 7.30 pm.
 The George On The Strand, opposite The Royal Courts
Of Justice. Otherwise, do come along and pay on  arrival, there should be space available.
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