Aberdeen could become home to Scotland’s first ever Dickens Fellowship branch.

The Dickens Fellowship was founded in London in 1902, with set objectives 'to knit together in a common bond of friendship, lovers of the great master of humour and pathos, Charles Dickens'. The fellowship has now attracted people from all over the world who want to share and celebrate their interest in the life and works of Charles Dickens.   

Dr Paul Schlicke, a teacher at the University of Aberdeen, hopes to establish Scotland’s own branch of the Dickens Fellowship to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. He believes it is time to celebrate the well established connection that Dickens had to Scotland. He explains that 'At the age of just 29 he was given the Freedom of Edinburgh and he toured the country extensively'.

Although Schlicke is one of the world’s leading experts on the author, he explains that the Fellowship is open to all- 'Anyone who enjoys Dickens on the page or stage, telly or cinema is welcome... Indeed, you don’t need ever to have read a word of Dickens to join in the fun'.

Anyone interested in joining an Aberdeen branch of the Dickens Fellowship should contact Paul Schlicke at p.schlicke@abdn.ac.uk.