The Complete Works of Charles Dickens

Royal Dockyard Church (The Historic Dockyard Chatham), Wednesday 16 May, 2.30pm

In celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, his great, great grandson Gerald Dickens performs the premiere of a brand new show, specifically written for the bicentenary, entitled “The Complete Works of Charles Dickens” featuring extracts from all the major novels in chronological order.  This premiere takes place in the Royal Dockyard Church within The Historic Dockyard Chatham - a place that Charles knew well from his childhood days when his father was a Clerk in the Navy Pay Office at the Dockyard.  A special ‘Question and Answer’ session will be hosted by Gerald at the end of the show.

Following the performance in the Royal Dockyard Church there is an opportunity to take Afternoon Tea in Commissioner’s House, Britain’s oldest Naval Building still intact and in use today and then to join the Dickens’ Dockyard Tour which, with a costumed guide, provides an insight into why this literary giant was so familiar with the dockyard and explains why he considered it a “place of wonderment”.

Ticket prices are £15 for the Show plus Questions and Answers and £25 for the Show plus Questions and Answers followed by Afternoon Tea and the special Dickens’ Dockyard Tour.

Tickets can be purchased by calling The Historic Dockyard on 01634 823815 (payment to be made by debit or credit card and a £1.00 administration fee will be added per transaction); by post indicating how many tickets are required together with a stamped self addressed envelope and a cheque made payable to Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust to: Dickens’ Bicentenary Performance, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TZ or in person at the Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre, Strood, tel. 01634 332714.

“The Spitfire” Steam Trains

Sunday 20th May

A truly nostalgic day out. Travel in style from London aboard an express Spitfire Steam Train to Faversham and enjoy the impressive sight of over 300 classic and vintage cars in the medieval heart of this market town. A local afternoon trip from the town to Dover is also available. Advance booking is recommended.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER for ATAK customers: Hoppers Class Adult, London – Faversham return journey = £52.50 (normal price = £57.50)           
To take advantage of this offer please call the Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre special events line on 01795 542285 and quote “ATAK steam train offer”. Offer valid until May 4 2012.

World War II Weekend

Dover Castle, Saturday 2 June - Monday 4 June, 10am - 5pm

Dover Castle’s popular World War II event returns and is bigger than ever! Experience the atmosphere of the castle at war as soldiers set up camp and re-enact an explosive WWII battle. Discover the austerity of the war years from the Ministry of Food and enjoy the sounds of the 40’s.  Don’t miss the famous Enigma machine, watch skirmishes and have a go at the WWII obstacle course.

Adults £16.50, concessions £14.90, children £9.90, family ticket £42.90.  English Heritage members free.