comodation will "be available at the Conference Hotel (The
Grand) only if you let them know in good time. The Grand
will also book you for a longer period if required.
HeadquartersLondon, welcomes you to Conference in 1963
and wishes you a most enjoyable time*
Yours in Fellowship,
JGreaves, HonSecretary
o DICKENS AND FOLKESTONE
Dickens knew Folkestone well, on his journeys to and from
the Continent, and as a holiday resort. In 1855? he spent the
summer at 3, Albion Villas, which he described as "a very
pleasant little house overlooking the sea." In this house,
which still overlooks the sea, he wrote parts of Little
Dorrit. In October of that year he gave one of his early
"charity readings" of A Christmas Carol in what he described
as "a long carpenter's shop, which looks far more alarming
as a place to hear in than the Town Hall at Birmingham.,"
Dickens also stayed at the Pavilion Hotel, by the harbour.
The hotel still stands, but has been considerably altered.
Folkestone figures in Dickens either as Pavilionstoneor un
der its real name, in "Out of Town", "Out of Season", And "A
Flight", all of which appear in Reprinted Pieces. Delegates
are recommended to read these papers, as it will add greatly
to their enjoyment of the Conference.
o PROGRAMME
FRIDAY, 31st. MAY
8 p.m. to midnights Civic Reception, Dance and Buffet, in the
Grand Hotel Ballroom, at the invitation of His Worship the
Mayor and the Corporation of Folkestone.
SATURDAY, 1ste JUNE
10 a.m.? Conference Business Meeting, in the Conference Room
of The Grand Hotel. In the Chairs Dir. Leslie CStaplesChair
man of Council and Hon.Editor of The Dickensian. The Meeting
will be opened by His Worship the Mayor of Folkestone.
2 p.m. Coaches will leave from outside The Grand Hotel for a
visit to Dover and Dover Castle - returning to the hotel for
tea.
78
