A Note of Reflection and Thanks

A post-event reflection, with thanks from the organisers to all involved.

On 6 December 2025, Winterbourne in Bonchurch hosted a private Christmas fundraiser in support of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). The event combined music, performance, film, and guided exploration of the house, raising £3,000 for humanitarian medical aid.

Doors opened at 2pm, welcoming guests who had booked tickets in advance via Eventbrite, as well as those purchasing tickets on arrival. From the outset, the afternoon was designed as a carefully paced experience rather than a single programme, allowing visitors to move through the house, performances, and displays at their own rhythm.

Arrival and Welcome

Guests were welcomed with a seasonal beverage and a sweet treat.

Home-baked items prepared by the Bonchurch team were also available for purchase in the Curiosity Shop, alongside a selection of handmade and seasonal goods, some well suited as Christmas gifts.

This informal welcome set the tone for the afternoon, creating a gentle transition into the spaces and events that followed.

The Drawing Room and Choral Performances

Ascending Winterbourne’s staircase, guests entered the drawing room, where a large Christmas tree formed a focal point. The room was decorated with traditional greenery and natural festive displays, complementing the character of the house.

Here, the first performances by the choral group took place, featuring a mix of traditional and modern Christmas music. These performances marked the beginning of the afternoon’s programme and helped establish a reflective, seasonal atmosphere.

The Curiosity Shop and House Tours

Beyond the carved Spanish doors on the first-floor gallery, visitors found the Curiosity Shop and information about guided tours of Winterbourne. These tours offered access to areas of the house not usually open to the public.

For the first time, visitors were able to see the rooms occupied by Charles Dickens during his stay at Winterbourne in 1849. Tours were led by Ben, who also works as a tour guide in the City of London, and whose background in walking, writing, and building conservation informed the experience.

Visitors were guided to the third floor, where Dickens wrote five chapters of David Copperfield, drawing inspiration from the views across the English Channel and the surrounding Winterbourne grounds.

Film and Literary Context

A short film, created especially for the event, was shown both inside and outside the house. The film explored why Dickens rushed to complete A Christmas Carol in October 1843, and examined his interpretation of the true meaning of Christmas through characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge.

The film also drew connections between the novella’s enduring message and contemporary humanitarian concerns, highlighting its continued relevance, particularly in relation to the situation faced by Palestinians today.

Puppet Performances

The afternoon also featured performances using Dickens character puppets, created and performed by renowned puppeteer Marion Rodriguez in collaboration with artist Teresa Grimaldi. This marked a long-held ambition for the work to be performed at Winterbourne.

These performances added a visual and theatrical dimension to the event, complementing the literary and musical elements already present and expanding the ways in which Dickens’ work was interpreted and shared.

A Collective Effort with a Clear Outcome

Throughout the afternoon, the programme unfolded across multiple spaces within Winterbourne, allowing visitors to engage with different elements of the event in their own time. Music, performance, film, and guided tours combined to create a layered experience grounded in both history and humanitarian purpose.