Through the looking glass (From Crewe Guardian)

Through the looking glass

2:38pm Monday 6th October 2008 in

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LEWIS Carroll's words of fantasy have captured the imaginations of young and old for more than 100 years.

Generations of children have grown up with the Daresbury author's surreal lands and fantastical characters in the forefront of their minds.

Ken Oultram, who looks after Cheshire cats at Bluegrass Animal Hotel in Northwich is a fan of Carroll's magical work.

"Alice in Wonderland is certainly a classic enjoyed by young people and adults and it's never been out of print since it was first published in 1865," said Ken.

"Do you think Harry Potter will still be around in 140 years? It's worth asking isn't it?"

Ken set up a Lewis Carroll appreciation society in 1970 after he got fed up travelling to the Lewis Carroll Society of Great Britain in London.

He chose Carroll's former home of Daresbury as a base, but his dedication as secretary of the group has seen him travel much further afield.

In October last year, he visited Bunkyo University, near Tokyo, and talked to Japanese pupils who were studying English and Alice In Wonderland was their set text.

Ken, who is also the deputy of the Alliance of Literary Societies , said: "The humour and whimsy in the book is difficult enough for people in this country so I admired their tenacity.

"The Japanese students had a lot of questions about Daresbury and they had a great knowledge of British authors."

Carroll - whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson - was a man who struggled to relate to the adult world and his books, including the renowned Alice's Adeventures In Wonderland, were a clear reflection of this.

Perhaps this childlike charm is why the Cheshire icon's work continues to catch the attention of people all over the world.

In Michael Crichton's novel Jurassic Park, as well as in the Hollywood film The Matrix, there is a reference to Wonderland's White Rabbit.

Seventeen screen adaptations of Alice In Wonderland have been filmed and this year filming is set to begin on the 18th adaptation when director Tim Burton will try his hand at a 3D animated version for Disney.

There are also Lewis Carroll appreciation societies dotted throughout the world where vast communities of fans can connect with each other.

It was Ken Oultram's idea to have a local girl become Alice each October to greet visitors to Daresbury in authentic dress.

The idea was introduced in 1979 and this year's Alice is Alice Buck, from Moore Primary School.

Alice's mum, Ruth said: "It has been a dream come true. We're connected to the All Saints Church and since her name is Alice it is something she always wanted to do."

Born and bred in Daresbury, Carroll's connection to the region has long been celebrated.

He is now one of the most enduring figures of our cultural history and his legacy can be seen all over Cheshire.

Following a successful fundraising campaign by Carroll enthusiasts all over the world, a Lewis Carroll memorial stained glass window was erected in the Daniell Chapel of All Saints Church in Daresbury in 1935.

The window, designed by artist Geoffrey Webb, may seem like a typical nativity scene at first glance but both Carroll and Alice are present on the left and below are five panels with illustrations from the story such as the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the famous Cheshire Cat.

The Victorian author was born in the original Daresbury parsonage on Morphany Lane, close to All Saints Church, where his father was the vicar.

The parsonage burned down more than 100 years ago but visitors can still see the foundations and enjoy information boards at the site.

Each year, 5,000 visitors descend on All Saints Church to see the unique stained glass window.

The Rev David Felix said: "The window is a high quality design and it is unique.

"It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to meet Lewis Carroll enthusiasts from different cultures all over the world.

"What I particularly enjoy is meeting people and learning what part the author has played in their lives because at the church I'm in the business of learning who people are."

The Daresbury Lane church also received £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund last year for a feasibility study to see if the Lewis Carroll experience could be improved.

Now Mr Felix hopes to secure £600,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other sources to build a Lewis Carroll visitor facility at the church.

"At the moment, we cannot give visitors what we think they deserve," he added.

The influence of Daresbury's most famous son also crept into the design of Daresbury Park Hotel when a 'looking glass' style brasserie restaurant was developed along the theme of Alice In Wonderland.

Nearby in Warrington town centre, Lewis Carroll is something of a celebrity.

His legacy was set in stone when a granite and brass monument was built in the old market place depicting the scene in Alice In Wonderland when Alice joins the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Dormouse at a mad tea party.

The sculpture, commissioned by Edwin Russell, was officially unveiled in May 1984 when the Prince and Princess of Wales, Charles and Diana, came to the town to mark the opening of the Golden Square.

Fifty thousand revellers lined the streets of Warrington to see the royal couple, cheering and waving flags as they unveiled the statue.

These days, families are still enthralled by the monument where children can sit at the table with Alice and the other characters.

Ian Cox, marketing manager of Golden Square, said: "The Alice In Wonderland statue in Golden Square has become an iconic landmark for residents and visitors to the town.

"It brings a historic twist to the centre's modern shopping experience while promoting the region's literary heritage and community pride.

In the 1830s and 1840s, shortly before the creation of Warrington Museum, temporary exhibitions were held at Warrington's market place.

Visitors could have their likeness cut by a silhouette artist - an offer taken up by the Rev Charles Dodgson and his family including a young Carroll.

The Alice In Wonderland author was one of the first to find inspiration from the collections in Warrington and this is the main reason the museum has a prominent dodo on display in tribute to his book.