It was in The Swiss Chalet that Charles Dickens wrote five of his most famous novels, many short storys and magazine articles.
Now in a state of dereliction in a garden in Rochester, held up inside by a thick wooden prop framework and steel ties, stopping its collapse.
The Rochester and Chatham Dickens Fellowship are trying to raise enough money to dismantle The Chalet, treat and restore each piece and reassemble it on a more stable foundation in another area to represent how it looked , when it was in ' the wilderness garden' of Dickens home Gads Hill Place.
The Swiss Chalet was a Christmas gift from Dickens's actor friend Charles Fetcher in 1864..It arrived at the local railway station.The ninety four pieces in fifty eight packing cases could be thought of as the first flat pack building.!!!
When restored it will have a performance area in front of it, making a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor concerts recitals and theatrical presentations.Becoming a focal point in the middle of the town for culture relaxation and calm,when the gardens are completed.
It is amazing to think that this important iconic building has been allowed to get to this condition, considerring the high regard Dickens is held as our favourite author, that were he wrote these books is not a place of pilgrimage like Shakespeare Hardy and Blytons are.
With your help we can put this right.
Thank you for reading this and do carry on enjoying the books of Charles Dickens.