Content area
Full Text
Museum Trustees
The Charles Dickens Museum is governed by a Board of Trustees, elected or appointed by various bodies, under the terms of the Charity Commission. Recent months have seen a number of changes to the membership of the Board and since these are now nearing completion, readers might like to be brought up to date with the present situation.
There are thirteen Trustees. One place is allocated ex officio to the Secretary of The Dickens Fellowship (when Tony Williams stands down in July, his replacement will be Joan Dicks). The Dickens Fellowship elects, through Council, five Trustees, who serve for four years and are eligible for re-election (Henry Hawksley, Leon Litvack, Mary Roe, Andrew Sanders, Paul Schlicke). The Dickens Fellowship Management Committee appoints one Trustee (Christopher Giles). Three Trustees are appointed by outside bodies (Flick Rea by the London Borough of Camden, Ann Pembroke by the Corporation of the City of London, Alex Werner by the Museum of London). Three Trustees are co-opted by the Board (Nicholas Bromley, Philip Bolton, David Wootton). The Board elects its own Chairman to serve for a year at a time (and eligible for re-election): the current Chairman is Dr Paul Schlicke. Dr Philip Bolton is currently Secretary to the Trustees and Alan Clark the (non-Trustee) Treasurer.
Flourishing prospects at the Museum....
The Charles Dickens Museum continues to be a hive of activity. In addition to high visitor numbers, and the steady stream of researchers, the house has recently been home to a team of builders and landscape designers who have been involved in the 'Garden Project' - the redevelopment of the outdoor space behind 48 Doughty Street.
Lovers of Dickens around the world have contributed to this project, and the design is finally a reality. The small garden now seems quite spacious. The central courtyard has been paved and is surrounded by raised beds with 'English' planting - clipped box, columbines and lavender. The high walls are covered with climbers, and water falls from a wall-mounted lion's head fountain into a small pool, (home to Oliver, Smike and Nicholas, three very small fish.) Two teak benches were donated to the garden by the City Pickwick Clubs in memory of Cedric Dickens, who would have been thrilled to see...