Existence: 1931 - Present The Christchurch Dickens Fellowship, a branch of the London Dickens Fellowship, was founded in 1931.

The Christchurch Branch of the Dickens fellowship had its beginnings in the home of Mr William Machin, who at that time lived in a large house known as “Hagley” and situated on Deans Avenue. Mrs Machin had a friend in Auckland who belonged to the Auckland Branch of the fellowship. This gave her the idea of gathering some Dickens lovers to meetings in her home. These meetings were social evenings with the women members wearing long frocks, and with supper being served by a maid.

Mr A E Caddick, who later became headmaster at Christchurch Boys’ High School, was asked to join this group. He arranged for the meetings to be held in a room in the city. He had a constitution drawn up, and the group then became a branch of the Dickens Fellowship, London. A certificate testifying to this was issued to the Christchurch branch in June 1931.

When Mr J B Priestley visited Christchurch in 1973, the Christchurch branch of the fellowship had a reception for him in the Regal Lounge of the Clarendon Hotel. When Mr Priestley returned to England he published a book about his visit to New Zealand and gave an account of his evening with our members. He wrote: “They were nearly all very Dickensy people almost as if they had been left over from some of his novels.” This comment would probably have been more apt if it had been applied to the Dickens fellowship members of 1944, as there were several members at that time who could have fitted well into some of Dickens’ novels.

For some years members received a typed monthly notice giving details of the next programme. The idea of a printed program for the year’s study came from Miss E M Clague, who donated the original block of Charles Dickens’ head to be used on the program. The first printed program appeared in about 1958. In 1967 Mr C J Wright suggested that the Fellowship should have a record of past presidents with their years of service. This entailed some research and it was discovered that copies of the minutes of the early meetings of the Fellowship had not been kept. Foretunately, some of the early members were able to supply the necessary information. So, from the year 1968 the list of past presidents has been printed on the years’ programmes.

For over twenty years meetings were held in the Durham Street Methodist Church Sunday School rooms, and in 1964 the venue was changed to the common room in the Students’ Association Building. When the University moved to Ilam another meeting place had to be found. From 1975 until 1981 meetings were held in the rooms of the Royal Overseas League, and since then have been held at the Campbell Centre, St Andrews Church.

At one time a Dramatic Evening was held each year, usually in October or November. For this a hall was hired, and members learned their parts and dressed for sketches which were acted.

During the 1950s a group for play-reading met every second Monday evening in the homes of members. During the 1960s the play reading group met in the afternoon. In December 1968 the Fellowship decorated a Christmas tree in the style of a Victorian tree, and Miss Beatrice Park gave readings from A Christmas Carol. In May 1969 the Fellowship was asked to arrange a holiday attraction at Northlands. An empty shop was lent to our members who arranged it as “The Old Curiosity Shop”. A scene from Oliver Twist was enacted outside the shop, with Mr S D Wilson taking the part of Mr Brownlow, and with Miss Park giving readings from the book. Later in the week competitions were held for the best Oliver twist and the best Artful Dodger.

In 1970 the fellowship recognised the centenary of Charles Dickens’ death in several ways. The Fellowships study book for the year was Edwin Drewd, his unfinished novel. An an essay competition as also organised for secondary schools, the subject being “Dickens as a social reformer”. The public library and Whitcoulls arranged displays of Dickensiana, the material being supplied by Fellowship members. The Dean, the Very Reverend M L Underhill, arranged a cathedral service at 11:00am on Sunday 7 June. At this service members of the Repertory theatre acted some scenes from Dickens’novels. Following the service members and guests went to the Clarendon Hotel for a luncheon party.

In the early days of the Fellowship a picnic was always held in January, usually at the archery lawn at the Botanic gardens. This practice was discontinued in 1975. Since 1969 members have gathered for afternoon tea on 31 December. This started as a party to celebrate the eightieth birthday of one of the members, Mrs McDonaugh, but it has continued as an and of the year gathering. The venue for this party has changed over the years, but the function is now usually held at the tea kiosk in the Botanic Gardens. The late Mrs Jean Stanbury, who was one of the foremost rose gardeners in Christchurch, made her lovely garden available for several garden parties for members and friends of the fellowship.

The 25th anniversary of the founding of the Christchurch branch of the Fellowship was celebrated on 2 June 1956. This took the form of a dinner, which was followed by an address by professor garret, whose topic was Charles Dickens. Vocal solos were given by Miss Vera Martin, who was accompanied by Miss Bessie Pollard.

The 40th anniversary was celebrated by a buffet meal supplied by members. This was held on 2 October 1971 at 6pm in the Senior Common Room at the university, and was followed by the usual meeting.

The 50th anniversary was celebrated by a dinner at the Clarendon Hotel on 3 October 1981. This was followed by a programme and supper in the Regal Lounge of the hotel.