Listen "22/03/2012"
Episode Synopsis
To celebrate the bicentenary of Charles Dickens, Helen Mark visits the Medway towns to find out how important a part the Kent landscape played in Dickens' life and works. Except London - no part of the British Isles features more prominently in Dickens' life than Kent. "Kent Sir - Everybody knows Kent - apples, cherries, hops and women" Mr Jingle, Pickwick Papers. Anyone who's ever thumbed through the likes of Oliver Twist, David Copperfield or The Pickwick Papers will know that the landscape and people of 19th Century Kent provided rich pickings for Dickens. In particular, the clutch of towns around the River Medway including Chatham and Rochester are referenced frequently in Dickens' works. It was growing up here that the author was at his happiest, stockpiling memories he would recycle in later years. Presented by Helen Mark and Produced by Anna Varle.
More episodes of the podcast Open Country
Black Poplars: How to Save a Tree
02/10/2025
The Stones of Snuff Mills
25/09/2025
Fair Isle
18/09/2025
The Menai Strait
11/09/2025
Pingos and Pool Frogs
04/09/2025
Exploring the Lakes by wheelchair
28/08/2025
Aeolian harps on Wicken Fen
21/08/2025
Flutterings on the Fleet
15/05/2025
Shipshape and Bristol Fashion
08/05/2025
Wild and Windy Fylde
01/05/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.