The surprise discovery of a journal kept by a member of a unique local bohemian community involved in pottery, wood carving, ventriloquism and spiritualism will be the subject of a free talk by Sonia Green at the AGM of Friends of Fordingbridge Museum at 2.30 pm on Thursday 17^th February at Avonway Community Centre, Fordingbridge.

Sonia said: “I first met Chris Charman at Godshill Pottery when I interviewed him for New Forest magazine 20 years ago. It was only in 2018 that his sister Danae and her husband Peter uncovered pages and pages of his Journal whilst tidying Chris’s study. Not only that, but the family had kept numerous photographs so we were able to trace the fascinating story of this colourful and talented group of people. It just shows how important it is to keep letters, photographs and writings that can provide a unique insight into fascinating lives.”  

Sonia Green of Millersford Press will talk about the discovery and subsequent publication of Chris’s memoir of his extraordinary gifted family and his idealistic life in Godshill. The talk will also highlight the work of Tom Charman, Christopher’s father, in particular his wood carvings and drawings of fairies and spirits. There will also be a guest appearance of Marmaduke, Tom’s ventriloquist’s dummy.

Copies of Chris’s book, In the Spirit of Godshill, will be available for purchase after the illustrated talk.

The event is free to the public who are invited to give donations towards the talk.