How a Dickens statue might look in Rochester

by Jenni Horn

Proposals for a statue of Charles Dickens in Portsmouth have provoked outrage among the author's Medway fans.

The Hampshire city, where Dickens was born, is hoping to unveil the memorial on the 200th anniversary of his birth next year.

His descendents have backed the plans - despite going against Dickens - last wishes.

The Victorian novelist wrote in his will: "I conjure to my friends on no account to make me the subject of any monument, memorial or testimonial whatsoever."

Christine Furminger, secretary of the City of Rochester Society, said: "Dickens didn't want any beastly statue. He may have been dead 200 years, but time doesn't change that.

"My argument would also be, why Portsmouth? Dickens was merely born there, he spent three years of his life there and never went back.

"If there is to be any tribute it should be in his spiritual home of Rochester. This is the place he loved and the place he returned to. It is where he based his stories."

John Knott, chairman of the Rochester and Chatham Dickens Fellowship, agreed.

He said: "Dickens expressly said in his will that he did not want a memorial in his memory.

"The idea was mooted here in Medway, but got thrown out when they realised the opposition to it.

"He lived in Chatham from the age of four to 11 and it was Chatham he considered his home town."

Portsmouth City Council said it would not consider the proposals without the backing of Dickens' family.

There are currently only two statues of Dickens in the world - one in Philadelphia, USA, and one in Sydney, Australia, which was recently returned to public display.

Chatham Central councillor Julie Shaw (Lab) suggested a Dickens statue for Medway in 2008, but the idea never got off the ground.