Liz Beecheno reviews The Arts Society Grayshott's lecture, “Dingley Dell to ‘A Christmas Carol’,” delivered by author and London Blue Badge guide Vicky Bailey.

Christmas was once an exclusive holiday for the rich until around 1812. The Christmas tree gained popularity after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were seen with one, while Henry Cole, co-creator of the Penny Post in 1841, began sending out pre-written Christmas cards in 1843 to manage the influx of mail. Christmas crackers, invented by confectioner Tom Smith in 1847, were originally filled with sweets. Yet, it was Charles Dickens’ writing that reshaped attitudes towards the poor and charity at Christmas.

Dickens, marked by seeing his father in Marshalsea debtors' prison and having to work in a blacking factory during his youth, found inspiration in his hardships. At just 24, he began writing the serialised version of The Pickwick Papers (1836), painting an idealised Christmas scene of mistletoe and games, which propelled his fame. In 1843, he wrote A Christmas Carol. He had become obsessed with the dreadful plight of the poor and their terrible living conditions, and wrote this novella in six weeks – taking the then popular interest in the supernatural as his theme. The novella sold out its initial 6,000 copies in five days. The novella inspired charitable giving, with even the Queen of Norway deciding to send gifts to British children.

Dickens’ social criticism and satire cemented his status as the era’s most famous figure, sparking greater empathy for the less fortunate. The term “Dickensian” is still a term used to describe the poorer aspects of that period.

The Arts Society Grayshott next talk will be on January 9, at 2pm in Grayshott Village Hall.

For more information, visit www.theartssocietygrayshott.org/events or contact Niamh at 0784 379925