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20.5.2013

NEWS AND COMING EVENTS

The Rochester Dickens Summer Festival runs from 31 May To 2 Jun 2013. We will keep you informed further down this page - click here to scroll down to the Dickens Summer Festival

Now is the time to start thinking about going as a Dickensian character. Anything goes, but the idea is to be either a character from any of Dickens' works, or a typical Dickensian lady or gentleman. For ideas visit our photo gallery - especially this album by Sarah Rogers .

(image of a Victorian lady)

If you didn't make it to the costume sale in Rochester on Saturday 11th May you missed quite an event. The numbers attending were the largest yet, to the extent that for the first couple of hours customers had to queue for entry! There were plenty of bargains and profits will be used to the benefit of the festival. The next sale will be in November, in the run-up to Christmas Dickens, and we will announce the date here as soon as information is available. We have been promised a picture or two coming soon.

If you want to have a go at making your own outfit there is still time! Visit our Resources page for inspiration.

Tea for Two?

We have been contacted about a CD with a Dickens connection. It features music typical of the Victorian period, works by Dickens' favourite composers, duets with biographical links to the author, and pieces specifically referenced in his writings. Individual items include a piece by Dickens' musical idol Mendelssohn, whom the writer met at a London dinner party; a duet by Ignaz Moscheles, Fanny Dickens' teacher at the Royal Academy of Music; and the Handel variations on which Herbert Pocket's nickname for Pip in Great Expectations is based.
More information on their website

Our report on the Dickensian Christmas Festival 2012 has joined earlier reports in the News archive

Dickens events in 2013
(and other events of interest)

Please check on the organisers' information by clicking on the links

Sunday 26 May, 3:30PM
Rochester and Chatham Dickens Fellowship 110th Anniversary Celebration
at Dickens World Chatham

The celebrations will include a cream tea and entertainment, and you are welcome to wear Victorian costume. Ex-members will be most welcome, as will anyone thinking of joining. Current members are encouraged to bring along friends to help make this a great and memorable occasion.
Entrance £3.25 payable on the day. (entry by the Porters Bar)

The event organiser is David Hawes, and you will need to let him know you are coming by 22nd May to reserve your place. You can contact him through us (click here) to book your place or for more information.

(bar)

31 May 2013 To 2 Jun 2013
Rochester Dickens Summer Festival

The Festival brochure published by Medway Council is the source of all the information you need. It is now available as a download from Medway Council (click here) and also in printed form from the Medway Visitor Information Centre and other outlets in the Rochester area.

Latest from the programme-

A few places remain for the Festival Ball on May 30th -
Click here for more information

Saturday, 1 June 2013, 7.30pm
The Trials and Tribulations of Mr Pickwick at the Rochester Corn Exchange with Nigel Nevinson as Mr Pickwick. The play is 90 minutes long including an interval, and the bar opens at 6.30pm. Tickets: £10, Under 16s and students £7.50'
Click here to see the flier
Click here for the booking website (you will have to use their search facility - look by date, then click on 'buy tickets')
For telephone bookings phone contact the Box Office on 01634 338338

There are rumours that two gentlemen have a score to settle at the Festival and there is a risk that a duel will ensue. Althought this barbaric practice is now rightly banned, major Sir Peter Digby and Count Antoine Chevalier are at odds over accusations of gambling debts and improper behaviour of the Count towards lady Cassandra, and by tradition such duels take place in Rochester Castle Gardens.

Gerald Dickens will be performing readings throughout the Festival - more on our Festival highlights page

The Edith May sailing barge is back - more on our Festival highlights page
Visit their website ( includes advance booking facility - click here)

Saturday 15th June 2013 and Friday 21st June 2013
Broadstairs Dickens Festival
Taking place between Saturday 15th June 2013 and Friday 21st June 2013, the Broadstairs Dickens Festival is the highlight of the years for Dickensians in Broadstairs.

Image promoting the Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival

17-25 August 2013
Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival
following a very successful 2012 Festival the committee has already announced that they are planning their schedule for 2013!
More information as we receive it.

Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September 2013
Salute to the Forties at The Historic Dockyard Chatham

'This year we are delighted to have performances from THREE of the headline female artists in the industry -
FIONA HARRISON, LOLA LAMOUR and MADELINE BROWN.'Plus performances from PUTTIN' ON THE BLITZ, PAUL AND NATASHA HARPER, THE POLKA DOT DOLLS, VICTORIA YELLOP, MICKIE DRIVER, THREE TOWNS THEATRE COMPANY, GYPSY JOHN AND THE CINQUE PORT LINDY HOPPERS and BETTY LLOYD AND HER FRONTLINE FOLLIES.'

7-8 December 2013
Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival

Please check on the organisers' information by clicking on the links

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Let us know if you want to see your event here!

News of similar events round the country will be posted here as they become available. The 'Victorian Strollers' website has an excellent events page.

ROCHESTER DICKENS FESTIVAL

NEWS AND COMING EVENTS

Tea for Two?

Dickens events in 2013 (and other events of interest)

Please check on the organisers' information by clicking on the links

Please check on the organisers' information by clicking on the links

Dickens events in 2013
(and other events of interest)