A Dickens of a Christmas

"Marley was dead: There was no doubt whatsoever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it: Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail". These are the opening lines of one of the best Christmas stories ever written, 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens, and are suitably apt for this weeks blog post.

Ebenezer Scrooge and one of the Christmas Ghosts.

The ghost of Jacob Marley, dragging his chains  (Why is he wearing silver wellies?).


Every year at this time the City of Rochester on the River Medway in Kent holds a Dickensian Christmas Festival in honour of the great author who lived here for many years and is where he wrote many of his greatest works. Every December Mrs C and I have said that we would like to visit this Festival but either have been too busy or too lazy to drive there. So this year we set aside a date in our diary and made an extra effort to get up early and drive the fifty miles to Rochester. It was a great decision as the Festival and Christmas market in the Castle grounds were brilliant.

We parked outside of the city and caught the free park and ride bus to Rochester High Street in the shadow of the Castle and Cathedral where the main events are held. As we walked from the main road towards the High street we came across the first tableau, a group of itinerant Victorian tinkers setting up camp on the grass outside of the Civic centre. They appeared to be right out of a scene from the television drama 'Lark Rise to Candleford' (Not one of Dickens works).

Miss Havisham from 'Great Expectations'.

Bill Sykes, Nancy and Bullseye from 'Oliver Twist'.


As we strolled up the High street with it's many period buildings we kept bumping into characters from many of Dickens books and groups of people dressed in authentic Georgian and Victorian costume. Many of the actors really got into character. I particularly liked the drunken itinerants and very tall Police officers, whilst Mrs C loved the colourful dresses and crinolines worn by the elegant Ladies.

Many of the buildings were open to the public, some were directly connected with Charles Dickens while others held displays of Victorian clothing and  paraphernalia. We visited the old boarding school which we found fascinating as it contained displays of toys and educational relics from the period. The Cathedral was also open so we paid a visit there as well. I am not a particularly spiritual person but I love the peace and tranquility of religious buildings. We placed a silver star on the Christmas tree in memory of past family and friends for a small donation to a church charity. There was also a book of condolence for Nelson Mandela which I signed on our behalf.

At noon everybody in the High street was ushered onto the pavements as the main Dickens parade began by the Civic centre. All the characters prominaded along the the length of the street wishing everybody they passed a hearty "Merry Christmas". They were led by a Highland pipe band and members of the rotary club collecting money for charity. We were right next to the kerb so had a grandstand view enabling me to take some half decent photographs of the many colourful participants. It was a really fantastic day out, well worth getting up early for.