The Southern California Dickens Fellowship
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1405191869718211/
The Southern California Dickens (SoCal DF) Fellowship meets every other month to discuss a selected novel or a specific Dickensian theme.
If a Guest Presentation opportunity avails, we will calendar in the between month.
We continue to offer Zoom meetings in 2026, including:
View our Programme here.
Dickens Universe 2025:
The 45th annual Dickens Universe, hosted by the Dicken Project, enjoyed a successful last week of July at idyllic U. C. Santa Cruz in California, USA. The novel of discussion was The Old Curiosity Shop. Approximately 160 participants delighted in a daily schedule that featured three square meals, multiple lectures, morning novel discussion groups, Victorian Tea, Post Prandial Potations (free after dinner beer and wine), silent auction and merchandise sales, and film screenings (to name a few).
Additional pleasures were the Thursday night novel Farce and the Grand Party; capped off on Friday night by the Curiosity Gala (fundraising Grand Auction, Victorian Dance and Casino Gaming). A total of 16 excellent speakers presented throughout the week on topics that ranged far and wide, all with the root connection of the novel The Old Curiosity Shop. The chosen work for 2026 is Bleak House.
A few photos can be viewed here.
Contact: Courtney Mahaney, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Regular meeting venue: Once monthly, Channing Hall, Surrey St. Sheffield. Branch Secretary: Julie Edworthy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Branch Administrator: Julian Crooks This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sheffield Branch currently has 40 members. We study the works, life, and times of Charles Dickens, usually attached to reading a particular work each year. There is an annual programme of events designed to facilitate our study in a variety of ways - talks, trips, workshops, readings, musical and theatrical events. We hold an annual public reading of `A Christmas Carol` every December in aid of Sheffield's homeless people. Our venue is in the city centre and easily accessible by public transport. There is good access for those with physical disability. Membership costs £12 a year.
Website: NoneRegular meeting venue: Our meetings are held on the Third Wednesday of each Month from 12.30 o'clock until 2.00 o’clock at Low Fell Library at 710 Durham Road, Gateshead.Contact: Chris McLoughlin, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 01429 267270Alternative: Carolyn Walker, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0191 469 0597
Please feel free to drop in as we are a very friendly bunch who will make you very welcome. (Please note the main entrance to the Library closes at 1 o'clock prompt but access can still be gained from ringing the bell at the back of the library at the Caretakers entrance).
With a lively membership of over 500 people, The Central Fellowship’s annual calendar of events aims to provide ‘something for everyone’: talks, walks, readings, visits, and opportunities for socialising in true Dickensian fashion!
Most of our talks are held at The Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6AN. Nearest stations: Barbican, Farringdon, Moorgate. Buses 4, 56, and 153 stop in front of Barbican station on Aldersgate Street, a five minute walk from Charterhouse Square.
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To get to the meeting room, go to the porter's lodge (left of the main entrance) and ask for directions to the learning centre. Please arrive from 6 pm for a drink and a chat before the talk starts at 6.30 pm.
More about Central Fellowship programme | Contacts: News and Calendar | Talks Search the Fellowship for 'Online events'