DF Conference 2024 Portsmouth/IOW - A Huge Success

The Portsmouth Branch are to be congratulated on their superbly organised conference, greatly enjoyed by over a hundred members from UK, Europe and further afield. The chairman Tim Suffolk, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, ensured the smooth running of all aspects of the programme - academic, social and practical. 

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The conference theme was “Dickens on Holidays”. In addition to excellent talks about Dickens's own travels and holidays, his writings on the subject and related matters, there was a day trip to the Isle of Wight on board the 'Fellowship', where Ian Dickens gave an informative and entertaining account of the Dickens family connection with the IoW since Charles Dickens's days. The group visited Osborne House and Bonchurch, both well worth seeing, the latter taking in Winterborne where Dickens stayed in 1849, with his family and several friends. Monday evening was devoted to Victorian songs and sea shanties while Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were spent at the Barley Mow or in the Eldon Building where alternative entertainment was provided. The banquet preceded by a reception and tour of HMS warrior concluded a memorable four days 'feast of Dickens'.