What a memorable press launch we had. There were more than 60 people crowded into the Ballroom of The Lion Hotel to meet Gerald Dickens, the great, great grandson of Charles Dickens.
He was interviewed and photographed by the Shrewsbury Chronicle and the Shropshire Star before going to the Radio Shropshire studios for another interview.
“Charles was a great communicator, he would have loved meeting the media and seeing all this technology,” Gerald, pictured below, told the radio presenter.
The Dickens relative said it was a great privilege to come to the hotel where his famous ancestor had been a regular guest.
He said the new book, Four Centuries at The Lion Hotel, was a fun book which he had enjoyed reading and had learnt much about the many characters who had stayed at the hotel, including Charles.
After being introduced by local journalist Chris Eldon Lee, Gerald announced that he would be returning to The Lion in February 2012, for a weekend to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles when he would be giving two hour-long readings by the author.
Gerald, looking very Dickensian with his beard, colourful waistcoat and long jacket/coat, then held the packed ballroom audience spellbound as he gave a short reading as a taster to next year’s event.
He was thanked by the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Cllr Tony Durnell, who brought along his two Mini Mayors, two pupils from Belvidere School who were spending the day to find out about life as the First Citizen.
For them and all the audience it was an unusual but fun couple of hours. Thank you so much to everyone who came.
For anyone who would like to find out more about Gerald Dickens go to his website.
Anyone who would like to buy a copy of the book or to invite John Butterworth to give a talk to their group or organisation please email him at John@jbutterworth.plus.com
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