Hundreds of people flocked to the Island to take part in a three-day celebration of its history and heritage.

Sheppey’s links with Charles Dickens were brought to life as part of What the Dickens! The Promenade 2012 festival, from Friday to Sunday.

It was the second time it has been staged and this year marked the 200th anniversary of the author’s birth.

The organising committee was made up of Jenny Hurkett, of Blue Town Heritage Centre, Janys and Jeremy Thornton from Sheppey Little Theatre, Chris Reed from Big Fish Arts Trust and Heather Thomas-Pugh of Sheppey Tourism Alliance.

The festival was launched at the heritage centre on Friday where a photographic exhibition of Sheppey in Dickensian times was on show.

It was attended by MP Gordon Henderson, Mayor of Swale Cllr Pat Sandle and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent Elizabeth Tullberg among other well known people.

A book called A Roof Over Their Heads – which is an anthology by local authors – was also launched with some readings from it and there was live acoustic music and speeches to start the celebrations.
Highlights
There were events taking place across the Island as part of the festival, from talks, displays, readings, plays, film showings and exhibitions.

One of the highlights was a Dickensian Parade through Sheerness town centre on Saturday.

It was organised by members of Big Fish and people in Victorian costume could also be seen at various venues throughout the weekend.

An exhibition of photos taken by residents as part of the Year in the Life of Sheppey 365 project was staged at Castle Connections in Queenborough.

It was so well attended, the centre has decided to keep it open for another month.

Mrs Hurkett said: “A highlight for us was the music hall show which sold out.
“We wanted to see whether it would work and we have had lovely feedback.

"It has really reinforced the community spirit that’s on the Island that we have been able to put together a whole weekend of events with very few meetings and just a small very enthusiastic group of people.

“It’s exciting to see people here and if we can enthuse people then maybe they will “get” Sheppey and that we are a bit quirky.”

• For more Promenade pictures, see this week's Sheerness Times Guardian - out Wednesday.