feature

Charles Dickens the reluctant hero

‘The author whose name was a household word: the genial humorist who gave us Mr. Pickwick and Mr. Micawber, and a whole gallery of such familiar personages; the writer who has done more than any other to lesson the width and the depth of that gulf of mutual ignorance, and, on one side at least, of un-Christian indifference which prevailed many years ago, is no more.’ The Graphic – Saturday 18 June 1870 Charles Dickens is regarded as one of our greatest literary artists and his books are well-read throughout the world. However, what is less-known is his work as a political journalist, publisher and social reformer.

As a journalist, Dickens reported on many Parliamentary debates, for which he travelled around the country covering election campaigns. As an author, apart from his well-known works he also wrote numerous short stories, many of which he put together for his first publication called Sketches by ‘Boz’, Illustrative of Every-day Life and Every-day People. Like his novels, they were a social criticism of the time. The pseudonym ‘Boz’ was taken from a nickname Dickens had given his younger brother.

Dickens interest in social reformation was influenced by the hardship suffered by his family during his early childhood. Some of his lesser-known projects included the founding of Urania Cottage rescue home, ‘for the redemption of fallen women of the working class’, to create an ‘reformative environment conducive to education and proficiency in domestic household chores’. He managed the home for ten years, establishing house rules and interviewing prospective residents. Emigration and marriage were central to his agenda for the women on leaving Urania Cottage.

In 1852 Charles West, founder of Great Ormond Street children’s hospital and a personal friend of Dickens, asked him if he would help with fundraising for the new hospital.

The Staplehurst railway accident The Illustrated London News 17th June 1865

He took on the task, ‘with heart and soul’ and following numerous public readings of his stories; he helped to secure sufficient funds for an endowment, which put the new Children’s hospital on a sound financial footing.

Less known is Dickens’ involvement in improving the safety of the railways. This was instigated by a major disaster at Staplehurst viaduct in Kent, in which 10 people died and almost 50 injured.

The incident happened on 9th June 1865 when Dickens was returning from a trip to Paris with his mistress Ellen Ternan and her mother Frances Jarman. They were travelling in the first-class compartment of the South Eastern Railway’s boat train from Folkestone when a ‘terrible accident’ occurred.

“I can never be much nearer parting company with my readers for ever, than I was then”

At Staplehurst viaduct, an engineering team were in the process of renovating and repairing the bridge. The viaduct’s baulks (wooden timbers that were placed between the iron girders to hold up the track) were being replaced. As was the practice in those days, maintenance work was carried out between the passing of trains.

The safety measures set in place by the railway company included fog detonators, small explosives that would create a loud bang as a train passed over them to warn the train-drivers and those working on the track. These were to be placed along the tracks at 250-yard (230m) intervals up to 1000-yards (915m) from where the engineering works was taking place. A flagman was also positioned at 1000 yards.

However, on 9th of June the foreman, Henry Benge, failed to organise the detonators and stationed the flagman ‘not more than 550 yards’ (500m). The foreman also failed to read his train timetable accurately. Boat trains departing from Folkestone were dependent on the arrival time of the Steam Packet (Steam-boat), which itself was determined by the tide. This meant that each day, the boat arrived at different times.

more. And we have, as anyone who came to our wonderfully joyous Christmas Concert will have witnessed with our year 5 and 6 children playing Christmas favourites on our new set of steel pans.

The new 2014 curriculum has been introduced and is becoming embedded into our everyday teaching and learning. Even with the demands of the more rigorous new curriculum we still have time to add in a few ‘extras’ which helps us deliver our aim: to make learning irresistible. Children in Need Year 1 & 2 Trip Hedingham Castle

‘Crazy hair’ was in evidence in Melbourn on 14th November and the theme for this year’s children in need was #BeaHairHero. Everywhere you looked you could see children with different coloured hair, peculiar plaits and crazy crimping. The use of hairspray, gel and hair ties was very inventive. Lots of classes were involved in Pudsey related activities and at the end of the day we held a special Children In Need assembly and raised the roof singing the official Children In Need song, ‘Wake Me Up.’ Pudsey himself arrived to thank the child for their fundraising efforts - £140- and wave them ‘bye- bye’ at the end of a fun filled day. Foundation Scarecrow Day

‘I love Scarecrow day!’ ‘Can it be Scarecrow day every day?’ ‘This is the BEST DAY ever!’

Just three quotes from some very satisfied Foundation Stage children on Scarecrow day! EVERYONE arrived at school dressed in their scarecrow costumes. The floor was covered with straw by 9.00am and faces painted by break time. A Foundation Stage sing along was organised on the field when the children and teachers sang ‘Dingle, Dangle Scarecrow’ and played stuck in the field (or mud, as it is more commonly known). We made straw paintbrushes and painted pictures of scarecrows. Outside, we used spare clothes to make a Reception scarecrow and named her Daisy. At the start of term, with the sun shining bright, Year 1 and 2 visited Hedingham Castle. The children had a talk from ‘Master Graham’ who told the children some very interesting facts about the castle. The children were able to dress up in costumes from the time and explore the castle, being careful when ascending and descending the steep spiral staircase! Outside in the forest the children took part in role play to re-enact what it might have been like at the time of a battle and built sculptures using the natural objects they found in the wood. Year 3 & 4 Marvellous Melbourlamium Parents Workshop

In November we held our Parents workshop, based on our topic of ‘Marvellous Melbourlamium’. Parents and their children were set the task of making Roman shields. ‘Much fun was had by all’ and it was great to see some Dads joining us. We had some amazing results. Year 5 & 6 By the left…Quick march!

The year 5 and 6 children got a taste of what life was like during World War 2. They learned how to parade, line up, follow orders and of course … Quick March! They experienced how frugal families needed to be to make meagre rations last a whole week. On a lighter note, they learned how to Lindy Hop. Next year … Strictly? Volunteers

We desperately want to recruit an army of helpers who can help support the children with their reading. We need you! The research is clear: 15 minutes spent each day reading to an adult, impacts positively on a child’s attainment. Studies have consistently shown that children who are exposed to reading at a young age are more likely to become good readers themselves and are generally more successful academically.

There are many advantages to reading aloud, no matter the age and stage of a child. If a teacher spends 15 minutes reading with a child in class, they could hear 20 children in the course of the school day and nothing else! We know your time is precious, but so are the life chances of the young people in our community. Please help us to help the children to achieve their very best.

If you are willing and able to offer any time and would like to learn more, please contact the school office for an informal chat. Either telephone 01763 223457 or email office@ melbourn.cambs.sch.uk.

Our school website is up and running and is regularly updated with photographs and information on what the children are up to- please have a browse!

Raising the Ceiling

December saw the first release of national KS4 data. This is the first chance for schools to be able to compare their performance with the national picture. We were therefore delighted to have it confirmed that students at MVC had, once again, made outstanding progress.

The progress made by MVC students in all EBacc subjects was above that made by students nationally. For the second year running, the progress made by students in maths was in the top 10% of schools in the country. Science was in the top 15% with English and Humanities both in the top 25%.

Overall, the progress made by our students placed MVC in the top 10% of schools nationally. These are outstanding figures, and the ongoing success of the college is a testament to the hard work of students and the undoubted commitment of all staff. S Holmes, Principal Chain Reaction

Students from Melbourn Village College started a chain reaction around the Cambridge Guildhall in the name of science and technology.

The members of the college’s @STEMClubMVC (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) were competing in the annual Chain Reaction competition – and this year it was Melbourn’s creation that the Mayor of Cambridge used to start the ball rolling.

The pupils had spent weeks discussing and building their part of the machine, deciding whether Newton’s Cradle or a swinging ball would be the best start, whether to incorporate a marble run and whether squash balls would stay on their runners long enough to counter-balance the bung balanced on the see-saw.

It all came together in time for the big day where each school’s link in the chain is set off by the previous one and each offering is judged. Although the judges were impressed by the Melbourn build, it didn’t win.

Nobody minded too much as they had all enjoyed building it – and it marked a successful farewell for Science Technician Mandy Curtis, who has run the weekly club for the past four years.

She has now moved on to the Cambridge Science Centre, a link which came about through her involvement with STEM club at Melbourn.

‘Over the last few years, we have taken part in several competitions, attended the Big Bang fair at Duxford, carried out investigations into the effectiveness of hand washes, the effect of different fizzy drinks on and mentoes and used chocolate to measure the speed of light, and much more!’ she said. ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I think the students have, too.

‘It is with very mixed emotions that I have left MVC to work more days at the Science Centre, but I will always look back on my time at MVC, and especially STEM club, with great fondness.’

Charity Roundup

Students at Melbourn Village College have undertaken three successful charity projects this term.

Students’ hard work, in conjunction with the Royal British Legion, saw more than 150 poppies adorn the Book of Remembrance table and lectern in Melbourn church to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War I.

Some students spent the day with the RBL creating poppies while others were made in Art, Citizenship and RPE lessons.

The poppies, painted, paper and knitted, were combined with those made by the RBL to create a miniature version of the Tower of London art.

They were displayed in the church from last Friday until today (Thursday).

Marta Gunner, the teacher in charge of the charity projects, said: ‘There was a lovely community feel to this project with those students involved working with the Royal British Legion ladies.

‘And with the help of Miss Heeks in the Art Department, I feel the students really understood what we were commemorating.’

Melbourn students also delivered 34 shoeboxes packed with Christmas cheer for families and older people to the charity Link To Hope.

They will be shipped to Romania, Moldova, Albania and Ukraine where the charity is committed to rebuilding lives and communities among some of the poorest people in Europe, many of whom have no electricity or running water and who have to choose between heating and food with nothing left to celebrate Christmas.

This was Melbourn’s first year working with the charity and Ms Gunner was delighted with the contribution.

On the 9th June, Benge carelessly consulted the timetable for the 10th June, which put the train arrival two hours later than the 9th and subsequently, his team had started to remove two tracks leaving a wide gap of 21 feet. The result was that when the boat train arrived at the viaduct the driver saw the flag too late and was unable to stop the 14-carriage train in time. The train consisted of the engine and tender, a guard’s van, one 2nd-class carriage, seven 1st-Class carriages, two 2nd-Class carriages and three vans.

The speed, at which the train reached the viaduct, carried the engine, tender, guard’s van and the first 2nd-class carriage across the breach. The next carriage, the first 1st-class (still coupled to the one in front) went over the side and was left hanging off the bridge at a steep angle. It was also the carriage that carried Dickens, Ellen Ternan and Frances Jarman. The remaining 1st-class and 2nd-class carriages tumbled off the bridge into the muddy river below, leaving only the remaining vans on the tracks.

Dickens and Frances Jarman were uninjured, Ellen Ternan suffered some minor injuries – but other passengers were not so lucky. After helping the two ladies leave the carriage, he went on to assist his fellow passengers and for three hours he did what he could to help the injured. Dickens later described what he had seen in a letter to an old school friend.

My dear Mitton, I should have written to you yesterday or the day before, if I had been quite up to writing. I am a little shaken, not by the beating and dragging of the carriage in which I was, but by the hard work afterwards in getting out the dying and dead, which was most horrible.

I was in the only carriage that did not go over into the stream. It was caught upon the turn by some of the ruin of the bridge, and hung suspended and balanced in an apparently impossible manner. Two ladies were my fellow passengers; an old one, and a young one. This is exactly what passed:- you may judge from it the precise length of the suspense. Suddenly we were off the rail and beating the ground as the car of a half emptied balloon might. The old lady cried out “My God!” and the young one screamed.

I caught hold of them both (the old lady sat opposite, and the young one on my left) and said: “We can’t help ourselves, but we can be quiet and composed. Pray don’t cry out.” The old lady immediately answered, “Thank you. Rely upon me. Upon my soul, I will be quiet.” The young lady said in a frantic way, Let us join hands and die friends.” We were then all tilted down together in a corner of the carriage, and stopped. I said to them thereupon: “You may be sure nothing worse can happen. Our danger must be over. Will you remain here without stirring, while I get out of the window?” They both answered quite collectedly, “Yes,” and I got out without the least notion of what had happened.

Fortunately, I got out with great caution and stood upon the step. Looking down, I saw the bridge gone and nothing below me but the line of the rail. Some people in the two other compartments were madly trying to plunge out of the window, and had no idea there was an open swampy field 15 feet down below them and nothing else! The two guards (one with his face cut) were running up and down on the down side of the bridge (which was not torn up) quite wildly. I called out to them “Look at me. Do stop an instant and look at me, and tell me whether you don’t know me.” One of them answered, “We know you very well, Mr Dickens.” “Then,” I said, “my good fellow for God’s sake give me your key, and send one of those labourers here, and I’ll empty this carriage.”

We did it quite safely, by means of a plank or two and when it was done I saw all the rest of the train except the two baggage cars down in the stream. I got into the carriage again for my brandy flask, took off my travelling hat for a basin, climbed down the brickwork, and filled my hat with water. Suddenly I came upon a staggering man covered with blood (I think he must have been flung clean out of his carriage) with such a frightful cut across the skull that I couldn’t bear to look at him. I poured some water over his face, and gave him some to drink, and gave him some brandy, and laid him down on the grass, and he said, “I am gone”, and died afterwards.

Then I stumbled over a lady lying on her back against a little pollard tree, with the blood streaming over her face (which was lead colour) in a number of distinct little streams from the head. I asked her if she could swallow a little brandy, and she just nodded, and I gave her some and left her for somebody else. The next time I passed her, she was dead.

Then a man examined at the Inquest yesterday (who evidently had not the least remembrance of what really passed) came running up to me and implored me to help him find his wife, who was afterwards found dead. No imagination can conceive the ruin of the carriages, or the extraordinary weights under which the people were lying, or the complications into which they were twisted up among iron and wood, and mud and water.

I don’t want to be examined at the Inquests and I don’t want to write about it. It could do no good either way, and I could only seem to speak about myself, which, of course, I would rather not do. I am keeping very quiet here. I have a – I don’t know what to call it – constitutional (I suppose) presence of mind, and was not in the least flustered at the time. I instantly remembered that I had the MS of a Novel with me, and clambered back into the carriage for it. But in writing these scanty words of recollection, I feel the shake and am obliged to stop. Ever faithfully, Charles Dickens

Before leaving the scene of the accident, Dickens remembered his unfinished manuscript for Our Mutual Friend, and returned to his carriage to retrieve it. This was his last completed novel and in the postscript for this book he wrote: On Friday the Ninth of June in the present year, Mr. and Mrs. Boffin (in their manuscript dress of receiving Mr. and Mrs. Lammle at breakfast) were on the South Eastern Railway with me, in a terribly destructive accident. When I had done what I could to help others, I climbed back into my carriage-nearly turned over a viaduct, and caught aslant upon the turn-to extricate the worthy couple. They were much soiled, but otherwise unhurt. The same happy result attended Miss Bella Wilfer on her wedding day, and Mr. Riderhood inspecting Bradley Headstone’s red neckerchief as he lay asleep. I remember with devout thankfulness that I can never be much nearer parting company with my readers forever, than I was then, until there shall be written against my life, the two words with which I have this day closed this book:- THE END. continued on page 42