A DONATION from a private source has meant that local Dickens fans have been able to renew the lease on the building in Chancery Lane, Malton, which was the model for Scrooge’s counting house in A Christmas Carol.

Linda McCarthy, secretary of the Charles Dickens (Malton) Society, said: “We are delighted with this generous contribution. It will enable us to maintain a base on which to focus all our efforts on promoting not only the many links between Charles Dickens and this area, but also on wider aspects of Victorian life in Malton – its architecture, market and horse-racing history.

“Our aim is to raise awareness and interest, both among local residents and further afield. By doing so we can encourage more visitors to the benefit of local businesses, whose support, both practical and financial, we would welcome.”

The group plans to open the Counting House for events and for other local groups who may wish to use the historic venue. Members are also planning to create a more visitor-friendly environment with visual displays featuring Dickens, scenes and characters from his novels, and his Malton solicitor friend Charles Smithson.

Linda added: “Many of the characters in Dickens’s novels have almost iconic status with people of all ages, thanks to films, musicals and TV productions. We want to appeal to this widespread interest.”

The Counting House premises will be open from 10am-4pm, this weekend during the Malton Food Lovers Festival. Events will include Dickens readings on the hour from Brian Oxberry and Badger Billinge, plus displays of Victorian relics – cooking utensils, recipes, menus and food costs.

Adult visitors will be asked for a £2 contribution towards the society’s running costs.

More information about the society, and the Dickens-Malton connection, can be found at www.worldwideshoppingmall.co.uk/malton/dickens/