Journals June 2018

that, with each new work, Dickens’
popularity increased until he
became a national icon.
Dickens’ appeal lay not just in the
novelty of instalments, important
though that was - the cliffhanger
endings of each instalment
captured the national imagination.
His appeal lay just as much in his
rumbustious characters; his keen
observation of daily life; his use of
gifted illustrators like Cruikshank,
illustrators whose drawings
became gold dust for later film and
stage directors seeking inspiration
about how Dickens visualised his
characters; and a real social
conscience created by his early
tough and hungry years.
Dickens’ work had a practical social impact too. It
became an engine for social reform. His focus on
child neglect and poverty jogged the national
conscience. The depiction of Dotheboys Hall in
Nicholas Nickelby led to the closure of many
Yorkshire boarding schools like Dotheboys Hall. In
another, rather different example of his influence on
the nation, many thought A Christmas Carol
restored life to the Victorian Christmas. Blended
together, Dickens’ life, his observations of life and
his writings became a major force in 19 th century
Britain.
Our next talk is on Wednesday 20 June 2018,
when Val Woodgate will talk to us on Looking at
Portraits - A very English Taste. Val is a lecturer
and guide at the Tate Britain and Tate Modern,
as well as many other London Galleries. She is
a former member of the teaching team at
Dulwich Picture Gallery.
Val’s talk will be about portraiture
in England. For about 200 years after the
Reformation, portraiture was virtually the only
subject in art. During this time the majority of
major painters working here were foreigners;
the most important of these were Holbein and
Van Dyck. From the 18th century on,
outstanding British portrait painters such as
Reynolds and Gainsborough came to
prominence. The portrait has continued to
intrigue and fascinate right up to the present
day, as artists such as Lucian Freud explore and
expand the subject.
Our talks are at the Community
Hall, Ingatestone at 7.30 for
8pm, usually on the 3rd
Wednesday of each month.
Visitors are always welcome.
The entrance fee for visitors is
£7. There is plenty of parking.
Full details of our future talks
and other activities are on our
website http:// tasbd.org.uk . If
you’d like more information or
to ask about our activities, call
our Membership Secretary
Diana Bandy on 01277 353178
or our Deputy Chairman
Strachan Heppell on 01277
353418.
Got something you want to share with the
readers of The Journal.
Send your Over to You letters,
stories, news and sport
through to info@maypolepress.com
Do you want to learn a new craft or set aside
time to complete an on-going project,
Or need help with the next steps
then join us in the
Chelmer Room of Margaretting Village Hall
On the first Monday of every month
4 th June 2018
2 nd July 2018
6 th August 2018
At 7.30pm
ALL WELCOME
Any enquiries please contact Lynn
on 01277 355575
e Journal 11