charlesdickenslondon: June 2012

Friday, 29 June 2012

charlesdickenslondon

Talk: Introducing Charles Dickens And His London

charlesdickenslondon: Posted on Friday, June 29, 2012 8:56 AM

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

website. For more details: click here. To buy tickets: click here.

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Junk HUANTIAN in St Katharine Docks

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?

Thursday, 21 June 2012

Charles Dickens London - Charles Dickens Ghost and his London

charlesdickenslondon

Introduction To Charles Dickens And Tea at my next Talk, July 3rd

charlesdickenslondon: Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2012 7:00 AM

Twinings Tea

Well worth a visit. Next to The George On The Strand, where I do my Talks about Charles Dickens and His London.

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).

For more details about my Talk on 3rd July, click here.

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Charles Dickens London - Charles Dickens Ghost and his London

St Katharine Docks

I live near here and am very conscious of the historical

importance of the area. Just upstream is the Tower of London,

the City of London is close by to the North, while eastwards,

St Katharine's Way leads to Wapping and Limehouse, where

Charles Dickens spent some of his early childhood.

Boat in St Katharine Docks, in front of Zizi Restaurant

The dock lies in the shadow of Tower Bridge. This part of the

Thames has witnessed the arrival of the Romans, the monarchs

travelling between Greenwich and Hampton Court, the

Great Fire of London, the rise (and decline) of London as the

greatest port in the world, right up to today's magnificent

Thames Festivals.

Phoenicia, on board exhibition at St Katharine Docks

charlesdickenslondon: Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 6:32 PM

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 Philip Beale is totally dedicated and immersed in this project, and an early visit may be shrewd idea, because it is

obviously going to be a

great attraction open until

September; children will love

it as well. His website,

http://www.phoenicia.org.uk

is very informative,

with all kinds of important

historical information.
Do visit, you'll love it!

St Katharine Docks celebrating Queen Elizabeth's 60 years on the throne

Wonderfully unique Thames Pageant, with the Queen and Prince Phillip enjoying every minute of this great spectacle..

St Katharine Docks celebrates Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 8:46 AM

What a fabulous event.

The Queen and Prince Phillip

obviously enjoyed themselves

enormously, and so did the

people, probably more than

ever before).The atmosphere here

was full of joy, pride, fun and thrills;

absolutely splendid and unique.

Thanks and praise to

a most wonderful Monarch.

Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2012 12:55 PM

Settling down now, towards the end of this triumphant celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. A lovely surprise for me, was to see Gloriana moored here in the docks. The million pound row barge, painstakingly hand built, which took more than four years by 60 craftsmen, was certainly one of the main attractions in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

this weekend, leading more than 1,000 boats to honour the occasion. The first royal barge to be built in 100 years, Gloriana was powered on the day by 18 oarsmen, led by

Britain's greatest Olympian, Steve Redgrave. The organisation

here seems to have been a great success; with bigger crowds

than ever before.

Beating The Bounds: Allhallows Church By The Tower

This church is one of the most historically important ones

of it kind, and so very worthwhile to visit. Beating the Bounds

is an ancient custom still observed in many English parishes.

Its roots go back to mediaeval times when parishes reaffirmed

their boundaries by processing round them at Rogationtide,

stopping to beat each boundary mark with wands and to pray

for protection and blessings for the land.

At All Hallows we beat the bounds of our parish every year on

Ascension Day. Plenty more interesting detail on

http://www.ahbtt.org.uk/history/beating-the-bo

Nightingale Lane was, for hundreds of years, renowned for being home to villains of all kinds; it separated St Katharine Docks from London Dock and it has now been renamed Thomas More Street. Times Newspapers transferred here from Fleet Street some time ago, and press people were here again today, hoping to get sight of Rupert Murdoch, talking to staff at the Sun. Carrying on an old tradition or an unfortunate coincidence?

Saturday, 16 June 2012

Please support Great Ormond Street Hospital charlesdickenslondon: Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:25 PM This gorgeous young girl is my grandaughter Natasha. Her life was saved by brilliant surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital- she was only eight weeks old. My daughter Camilla was fantastic, so was Paul (son in law) and Natasha is now fine. Camilla is taking part in the GOSH Fun Run in Battersea Park to raise funds to say thank you. Do read her story on t.co/glb274ru and send a donation or message if you can. Thank you so much.Please support Great Ormond Street Hospital

Please support Great Ormond Street Hospital

charlesdickenslondon: Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:25 PM

This gorgeous young girl is my grandaughter Natasha.

Her life was saved by brilliant surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital- she was only eight weeks old. My daughter Camilla was fantastic, so was Paul (son in law)

and Natasha is now fine. Camilla is taking part in the GOSH Fun Run in Battersea Park to raise funds to say thank you. Do read her story on t.co/glb274ru and send a donation or message if you can.Thank you so much.

Friday, 15 June 2012

charlesdickenslondon

Phoenicia, on board exhibition at St Katharine Docks

charlesdickenslondon: Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 6:32 PM

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;

children will love it. His website http://www.phoenicia.org.uk is

very informative, with all kinds of important

historical information. Do visit, you'll love it!

Saturday, 9 June 2012

charles dickens london - ST KATHARINE DOCKS

St Katharine Docks

I live near here and am very conscious of the historical

importance of the area. Just upstream is the Tower of London,

the City of London is close by to the North, while eastwards,

St Katharine's Way leads to Wapping and Limehouse, where

Charles Dickens spent some of his early childhood.

The dock lies in the shadow of Tower Bridge. This part of the Thames

has witnessed the arrival of the Romans, the monarchs travelling between

Greenwich and Hampton Court, the Great Fire of London, the rise

(and decline) of London as the greatest port in the world, right up to

today's magnificent Thames Festival.

St Katharine Docks celebrating Queen Elizabeth's 60 years on the throne

Wonderfully unique Thames Pageant, with the Queen and Prince Phillip enjoying every minute of this great spectacle..

St Katharine Docks celebrates Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 8:46 AM

What a fabulous event.

The Queen and Prince Phillip

obviously enjoyed themselves

enormously, and so did the

people, probably more than

ever before).The atmosphere here

was full of joy, pride, fun and thrills;

absolutely splendid and unique.

Thanks and praise to

a most wonderful Monarch.

Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2012 12:55 PM

Diamond Jubilee Pageant this weekend, leading more than 1,000 boats to honour the occasion. The first royal barge to be built in 100 years, Gloriana was powered on the day by 18 oarsmen, led by Britain's greatest Olympian, Steve Redgrave. The organisation here seems to have been a great success; with bigger crowdsthan ever before, the management team should be delighted (and probablyexhausted).

Beating The Bounds: Allhallows Church By The Tower

This church is one of the most historically important ones

of it kind, and so very worthwhile to visit. Beating the Bounds

is an ancient custom still observed in many English parishes.

Its roots go back to mediaeval times when parishes reaffirmed

their boundaries by processing round them at Rogationtide,

stopping to beat each boundary mark with wands and to pray

for protection and blessings for the land.

At All Hallows we beat the bounds of our parish every year on

Ascension Day. Plenty more interesting detail on

http://www.ahbtt.org.uk/history/beating-the-bo

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Queen Elizabeth II and my Talk today at the George

charlesdickenslondon: Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2012 8:07 AM

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.

Tickets are still available via Skiddle.com, my website www.charlesdickenslondon or behind the bar at

The George On The Strand, opposite The Royal Courts

Of Justice. Otherwise, do come along and pay on

arrival, there should be space available.

Tuesday, 5 June 2012

Gloriana, moored in St katharine Docks

charlesdickenslondon: Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2012 12:55 PM

Settling down now, towards the

end of this triumphant celebration

of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. A

lovely surprise for me, was to see

Gloriana moored here in the docks.

The million pound row barge,

painstakingly hand built, which took

more than four years by 60 craftsmen,

was certainly one of the main attractions

in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

this weekend, leading more than 1,000

boats to honour the occasion. The first

royal barge to be built in 100 years,

Gloriana was powered on the day by

18 oarsmen, led by Britain's greatest

Olympian, Steve Redgrave. The

organisation here seems to have been

a great success; with bigger crowds

than ever before, the management

team should be delighted (and probably

exhausted).

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebration and my Talk Tomorrow 6th June

charlesdickenslondon.net: Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:57 AM

What a marvellous weekend of

celebrations. Join us to hear more about

Charles Dickens and Two Great Queens.

There are fascinating letters and

memorabilia at Buckingham Palace,

recording close links to Dickens.

Tickets are still available at The George,

through Skiddle.com, or my website:

www.charlesdickenslondon.net.

Monday, 4 June 2012

Narrowminded editorial policy. -- Talks about Charles Dickens at the George In The Strand

Narrowminded editorial policy.

1 min ago

Hi Readers
I will be pleasantly surprised if the editors will allow this email that I wrote to them to be published, but I honestly feel that this heavy handed censorship is wrong in not allowing me, and many similar, to publicise our events on London Drum.

'You are happy to advertise the Dickens Museum walks, though the Museum is closed until Christmas (very controversially). The talks I do are of at least equal quality -(and for the record I have been on various TV and radio programmes) so I feel that you are rejecting a whole aspect of what's on in London, therefore a disservice to the community you claim to be friendly towards- the well known people you favour (and savour) are unknown to the visitor market (no disrespect intended), but people come to this country solely to learn more about Charles Dickens. The pic enclosed is me sitting in Dickens chair at his desk, writing with his pen, where he wrote at least part of Nicolas Nicleby. Anyway, good luck, but I think your policy is very shallow- or more accurately, humbug'!