Melissa Massett

Melissa Massett was an enthusiastic steampunk, a member of the Great Kentspectations group as 'Melissa Dickens Shakespeare', and a  keen helper at the Dickens Festival.

Melissa lost her battle with breast cancer on January 21st 2023.

'She was a kind hearted, beautiful person who always looked for the good and light in others. She always had a warm smile and open hand and lovely laugh. She will be dearly missed.'

Ashley Davis

Ashley Davis passed away on May 16th 2022. He was a great character and one of the most important figures in the Dickens Festivals from the very beginning, but had to step down in recent years because of ill health. He will be remembered for his enthusiastic approach to the festivals, which he passed on to those around him, and we are particularly grateful for his support and friendship when we first visited the event.

John Endicott

John Endicott passed away on the 31st of October 2020. As well as being a major character and good friend of the Dickens Festivals John was known for his work setting up and curating the Kent Police Museum, at the time located at Chatham Dockyard.

John Knott
1943-2020

John Knott, Life President of the Rochester Branch of the International Dickens Fellowship passed away on March 13th 2020 aged 77. Amongst many achievements John was the author the definitive book of the Swiss Chalet published by the fellowship.  

Keith Ford
1941-2019

Keith Ford, better known to all of us as the lamplighter, passed away on New Years Eve 2019. He had been entertaining the crowds at the Dickens Festivals for twenty five years.

There is a tribute to Keith on Kent Online

Keith Biddlecombe
1945-2017

Keith passed suddenly and unexpectedly in March 2017. He was to be seen at the Dickens Festivals for many years, usually in the High Street, immaculately dressed as the escort to his wife Vicki as Queen Victoria. He was also a more seedy character as a spiv at Chatham Dockyard.

Keith was a member of the Dickens Fellowship and well known for his role in a 'sandwich board' promoting the Dickens Costume sale.

Robin Burfoot
Robin Burfoot, the town crier of Medway since 2004 died of heart failure on 22nd March 2017. Until his recent health problems he was regularly seen at events all around Medway, including the Rochester festivals.

Our sincere condolences to his family.

Marion Stokes

Marion passed away in January 2017. She was a great supporter of the Dickens Festivals. Many friends gathered to remember her at her funeral on February 20th

Peter Penfold

Peter passed away suddenly on August 4th 2015. He was a good friend and supporter of the Dickens Festival over many years, often working in the background to keep things running smoothly. He was also known as a great joker, so it is fitting that our picture shows him in this costume.

Bill King

Bill King passed away on November 29th 2014, aged 69. Bill was a familiar figure as Bill Sikes at the Rochester Festivals, always accompanied by his English bull terrier Bulls Eye.

More about Bill on the Kent Online website

Jean and Harvey Haynes

Jean Haynes, wife of Harvey Haynes, passed away on Monday 23^rd July 2012. Festival goers will know that Jean played the Dickens character Mrs Crummles in many Rochester Dickens Festivals. Her funeral took place on 17^th of August at Fortune Green Cemetery, Hampstead.

More information on the 'Times' website
(now archived and as such chargeable)

Harvey Haynes passed away on 28th January 2017. He will be sadly missed at the festivals, where he portrayed many Dickens characters over many years

Brenda Gilliam-Hill
1933-2011

Brenda Gilliam-Hill , who was 'Miss Havisham' at the Rochester Dickens Festivals for thirty years, passed away on December 7th 2011.

more information

Louise Copsey
1981-2011

Louise died in February 2011 after she suffered a massive heart attack. She was a highly skilled self-taught  seamstress as well as a much loved friend.