Worcester Branch

The Worcester Dickens Fellowship in Massachusetts has been flourishing for over half a century. Originally founded in London in 1902, the Dickens Fellowship's aim was to "knit" together in a common bond of friendship lovers of the great master of humour and pathos, Charles Dickens. We in the Worcester Fellowship have thrived on the traditions of fellowship and scholarship.

Officers and Committees

President Richard Fenton
Vice President Robert Steele
Treasurer Michael Badger
Corresponding Secretary Anita Fenton
Recording Secretary Carrie Corcoran
Membership Kathy McFarland
Skits Joan Townsend (Chair), Joel Brattin, Kit Polga, Robert Steele
Holiday Luncheon Kit Polga, Kathy McFarland

2024-2025 Program

Wednesday, 9 October, 7:00 p.m.

Reading: Chapters 1 – 9 of David Copperfield
Program: Discussion led by Anita Fenton and skit
Co-Host/Refreshments: Kathy McFarland at Elms Library at Briarwood

Wednesday, 13 November, 7:00 p.m.

Reading: Chapters 10 – 18 of David Copperfield
Program: Discussion led by Kit Polga, and skit
Co-Host/Refreshments: Mike Badger at Elms Library at Briarwood

Saturday, 21 December, 12:30 p.m.

Holiday Luncheon at The Publick House, Sturbridge, MA
Gift exchange and skit
Hosts: Kit Polga and Kathy McFarland

Saturday, 8 February, 2:00 p.m. Dickens’s Birthday Tea

Reading: Chapters 19 - 29 of David Copperfield
Program: Essay by Fellman Prize winner.
Skit: “Miss Mowcher Consents to Live.”
Chapter discussion led by Mike Badger.
Co-Host/Location: Joel Brattin at the WPI Library (Fellman Reading
Room), Worc. (refreshments: Fellowship members)

Wednesday, 12 March, 7:00 p.m.

Reading: Chapters 30 – 40 of David Copperfield
Program: Selection from BBC video “David Copperfield”
Discussion led by Carrie Corcoran and Robert Steele, and skit.
Co-Host/Refreshments: Anita Fenton at Elms Library at Briarwood

Wednesday, 9 April, 7:00 p.m. 

Reading: Chapters 41 – 50 of David Copperfield
Program: Presentation by Joel Brattin: “’Let Me Pause Again’: Dickens Manuscript Revisions in the Retrospective Chapters of David Copperfield”
Chapter discussion led by Joel Brattin.
Host: Robert Armstrong at Elms Library at Briarwood
Co-Host/refreshments: Kathy McFarland

Wednesday, 14 May, 7:00 p.m.

Reading: Chapters 51 - 64 of David Copperfield
Program: Discussion led by Mike Badger
Planning 2025-26: Selection of book and nomination of officers
Co-Host/Refreshments: Anita Fenton at Elms Library at Briarwood