JDA - Past Events

After a week of horrible weather, we were all praying for a day of sunshine for our outing to Broadstairs. We started our journey very early … I think this is the first time I have ever got up for a 9 o'clock start on a Sunday morning!

We made good time to Broadstairs, including a pick-up for Albert Kelberman from Lakeside Shopping Centre. We arrived at the sea front and headed straight for something to eat. Most of the restaurants and cafés were full but we finally found a little spot to fill our JDA appetites.

After everyone was full and happy, we all headed our separate ways. Rachel Holder and Anita Morgan spent the whole day sitting and catching up on all their news on the beach, and Myer and Miriam Solomon managed to visit every attraction in Broadstairs except for Bleak House which unfortunately was closed.

Quite a few of us visited the fascinating Dickens House Museum on the main sea front at Broadstairs. This lovely old house has been adapted as a museum because of Charles Dickens' relationship with Broadstairs. He was very fond of Broadstairs and visited many times.

The house once belonged to Miss Mary Pearson-Strong who gave Charles Dickens the idea for one of his most famous characters, Miss Betsey Trotwood. Betsey Trotswood was David Copperfield's aunt in Charles Dickens' very famous book. The guide told us that all of the characters and buildings in Charles Dickens' books were based on real people and real places. Apparently Mary Pearson-Strong used to chase the donkey boys away from her house with a broomstick!

The house also has very interesting old things from the time of Dickens. Some of the author's own letters are on display. Around the house, there are fascinating old prints as well as costumes from Victorian times. We even saw a picture of a reunion dinner that our guide had been to and some of Charles Dickens' relatives were there.

Some people decided that walking round a museum was not energetic enough for them and played crazy golf instead. Two teams competed against each other - Barry (JDA caretaker), Yvonne and David (Deborah's daughter and grandson) against Minnie, Elaine and Deborah. Everyone is keeping very quiet about who the real winners were.

After ice creams, there was just enough time for another tea break before boarding the coach. We were so lucky with the weather as the first drop of rain only fell when we were all safely back on the coach. After a lovely, relaxing day in Broadstairs, a tired but happy bunch of JDA members made their way back to London.

Many thanks to our wheelchair pushers, Barry, Elan and Jonny. Thanks also to Israel Itzkowitz and Lottie Holder for looking after me all day.

Lisa Katz

Report from Miriam Solomon about the Broadstairs outing

I have never been to Broadstairs before, so I jumped at the chance to visit the resort, known for its association with Charles Dickens, with the JDA group.

My first impression is that Broadstairs has a genteel atmosphere. The beach has firm sand and lots of children were paddling or swimming in the calm sea.

A tower-like square lift, built in 2000, takes you down from the promenade to the beach if you don't want to tackle the steps. There were a number of private basic chalets with owners sitting inside or outside along the beach.

Myer and I first went to the information office for leaflets. It was also the Charles Dickens Museum and we had a look around, taking time to look at the furniture and the loads of photographs of his handsome youth to old age.

A copy of Charles Dickens' Will showed that he left a magnificent sum of £93,000, which would be worth 5 million pounds today.

From there, we walked up the coastal path to the cliff. It is indeed a long way looking down to the sands and the sea. The path is bordered by a huge wall made of cobbles and a huge half seashell, about 2 feet long and wide, was embedded in one part of the wall.

Near the top of the path is Bleak House, where I think Charles Dickens lived for a while. We were disappointed that it was closed for refurbishment.

The resort seems to be a good choice for families with young children who may prefer a quiet time on the beach without pebbles.

Miriam Solomon

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