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The Society began its life in 1968 when, under the new name 'The Thomas Hardy Festival Society', it was set up to organise the Festival marking the fortieth anniversary of Hardy's death. So successful was that event that the Society continued its existence as an organisation dedicated to advancing 'for the benefit of the public, education in the works of Thomas Hardy by promoting in every part of the World appreciation and study of these works'. |
| It is a non profit- making cultural organisation with the status of a Company limited by guarantee, and a Registered Charity No.254248. It is governed by a Council of Management of between ten and eighteen Managers, plus representatives of Dorchester Town Council, West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council and its officers are unpaid. |
The Society is for anyone interested in Hardy's writings, life and times, and it takes its pride in the way in which at its meetings and Conferences non-academics and academics have met together in a harmony which would have delighted Hardy himself. Among its members are many distinguished literary and academic figures, and many more who love and enjoy Hardy's work sufficiently to wish to meet fellow enthusiasts and develop their appreciation of it. Every other year the Society organises a Conference that attracts lecturers and students from all over the world, and it also arranges Hardy events not just in Wessex but in London, and, it is hoped, eventually in other centres. The Hardy Society Journal, issued in Spring and Summer, and the Thomas Hardy Journal, issued in Autumn/Winter are sent free to members. |
President
(elect) |
Julian
Fellowes |
Vice-Presidents | |
The
Lord Lieutenant of Dorset | Professor
Michael Irwin Mr T. William Jesty Mrs Vera Jesty Mr H.E.F. Lock Dr Phillip Mallett Professor Michael Millgate Professor Rosemarie Morgan Professor William W. Morgan Professor Harold Orel Professor Norman Page Dr Rosemary Sumner Mr Furse Swann Dr Geoffrey Tapper Professor Dennis Taylor Mr Patrick Tolfree |
The
Council Of Management: |
Mrs
Sue Clarke |
The Hon. Chairman of the Sheffield (Northern) Branch |
Dr
Val Reed, 52 Thompson Road, Sheffield, S11 8RB |
Press Enquiries |
Mike Nixon (Secretary) email: mike@nixon3730.freeserve.co.uk Tel: 01305 837331 |
The Hon. Chairman of the Coventry & Warwickshire Branch |
Margaret
Grantham, 235 Valley Road, Lillington, Leamington Spa, |
The Thomas Hardy Society |
Office hours are 1400hrs - 1600hrs, Monday - Thursday. Answerphone at other times. |