charlesdickenslondon

History Of The Docks

05/14/2013 17:18:00

Today's Marina is thriving and picturesque, close to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London; a fine place to visit with its cafes and restaurants, bustling with activity and delight. But the story goes right back to the 11th century, the Ancient Hospital and Church, patronised by Royalty, giving way for the famous Docks, which imported and exported the World's most luxurious items at the height of Empire and then its gradual decline, war damage and closure, to rise again phenomenally, a catalyst to begin the regeneration of Docklands, inspiring new planning for London Docks, the DLR and Canary Wharf. Do get in touch if you have old photographs or memories- part of the book will describe today's community and the recent past.

Charles Dickens And His London Talk 9th April

04/07/2013 09:17:00

Today's Adelphi Theatre opened in 1858- its predecessor,

of the same name, was a cramped, poorly designed place,

but was very significant because many of Charles Dickens

works were staged there. The first was called The Christening,

described as a comedy burletta, which opened in October 1834

(Dickens was then aged 22). Many more followed, including

adaptations of Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old

Curiosity Shop and A Christmas Carol. Hear more about

Dickens London in my next Talk, Charles Dickens And His

London. Tickets still available behind the bar at The George On

The Strand, or contact me at chriswandco@yahoo.co.uk.

More details available, click here.

Mary Anne and Larry leave St Katharine Docks for Canada

04/01/2013 12:13:00

This lively couple will be missed by many of the

friends made while they birthed here at St K Docks.

Larry hails originally from the UK, becoming an airline

pilot and captain with Air Canada, while Mary Anne

is Canadian, with a music teaching background (at

Ottowa University) and an insatiable appetite for

baroque music. Following retirement, they watched

their beloved Traversay III being built, then sailing it

around the world for the last nine years. They stayed

here for six months last year, then returned following

a cruise around Germany and Norway (where the above

picture was taken). During the past six months here,

Mary Anne has had a hired clavichord on board and has

helped to raise £1200 for Red Nose Day; she has loved

all the free music concerts and museum visits here, as

well as playing baroque music with other talented artists.

Larry has loved jogging as far as Shadwell Basin and lots

of splendid walks around London. Not everyone has a

state of the art electronic piano under the bed, but, of

course, they do! Larry is a great computer buff, so he is

OK too.They both feel deeply touched by the friendliness

of the community here, particularly the Friends Of St

Katharine Docks and others in the boating community.

They are now returning to Canada, so bon voyage and

very best wishes.

Easter Day At All Hallows By The Tower

04/01/2013 03:17:00

This ceremony took place at the beginning of the Easter Day

service at All Hallows By The Tower. The Paschal Candle was

lit from the new fire and taken into the church, representing

the resurrection of Christ, to set christians aflame with the

love of God and the radiance of His heavenly glory.

Rev'd Bertrand Olivier (pictured here) is the vicar of All Hallows,

which is the oldest church in the City, founded centuries

before The Tower Of London, though closely associated

neighbours. The fine, grade one listed building dates back to

675 AD and is steeped in history, including an uncovered

Roman pavement and the tower from which Samuel Pepys

and his friend, Admiral Sir William Penn (his son, also named

William, who founded Pennsylvania) watched as London

burned in the Great Fire Of London in 1666.

Next Talk- Charles Dickens And His London, April 9th 2013

03/30/2013 23:16:00

BBC's excellent programme, Any Questions, came from Rochester this week, where Dickens lived as a child and is nearby to Gad's Hill Place, his famous home in later life. A searching question was asked about the poverty, hunger and homelessness of many against the greed, exploitation and self satisfaction of the few in Dickens time and would he find much change in the

UK of today? There was much discussion about us appreciating education for

all, good NHS, pensions and improved standard of living. On the down side, it was said that we do now have food vouchers, some extreme poverty, great division between rich and poor, 'if you are poor it's your fault', little compassion and that we should be able to organize society better. A short while ago Archbishop Rowan Williams said that Dickens great message was that we grow through generosity- food for thought? Was this one of Dickens's lasting legacies, stimulating thought? Come and share your thoughts at my next Talk on the 9th April.

More details here.

Charles Dickens Coffee Shop, Covent Garden

03/24/2013 11:47:00

Today, near Covent Garden, is a coffee shop called

the Charles Dickens. There is a plaque commemorating

Dickens association with this building; he had lodgings here

for some time above the offices from which he edited a new

magazine, 'All The Year Round'. This was the successor to

Household Words, which included the weekly serialization

of two of his best selling novels, Tale Of Two Cities and

Great Expectations. His son Charles took over as editor when

he died in 1870.

Lots more in my next Talk, Charles Dickens And His London

on Tuesday 9th April at 4.30 pm.

Euphoria 2013 Shaw Theatre 20th March

03/16/2013 19:21:00

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

you there. Further details on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events

/56146273054 5282 /permalink/563210900370465/

If you can't attend, please give generously via Just Giving- their

website is:-http://www.justgiving.com/Euphoria2013

Euphoria Show at the Shaw Theatre 20th March

03/13/2013 18:52:00

Do support this excellent group of

student pharmacists at UCL It will

be a most exciting evening of students

singing and dancing and a dazzling

fashion show. I will be there as well,

talking about Great Ormond Street

Hospital. For more details, click the

link below. Hope to see you there.

http://www.facebook.com/events/561462730545282/permalink/563210900370465/

Dickens Talks And The George On The Strand

03/02/2013 10:59:00

I use the George for my Talks mainly because it is, historically, at the centre of so many Dickensian aspects of London. The Royal Courts of London is opposite, St Mary le Strand and Somerset House are close by, as is Fleet Street, The Old Bailey, the site of Doctors Commons and St Paul's

There is a new page on the website, explaining more about all this.

For more details, click here.

Somerset House and St Mary le Strand fine old print

02/24/2013 12:59:00

This fascinating print shows Somerset House and Mary Le Strand in the 1830's. Charles Dickens father, John, worked as a clerk at Somerset House, then home of the Admiralty, and he was married here at St Mary's in 1809 to Elizabeth, whose father also worked for the Admiralty. This is just down the Strand from the George, where I hold my Talks.

For more information, press here.