The BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
Saturday 7 June - Sunday 8 June 2008
Dorset UK

A walk with Tony Fincham on Egdon Heath
to celebrate 'Return Of The Native' (1877-8)

The Birthday Lecture by Dr. Simon Gatrell, Professor of English
at the University of Georgia, USA in the Council Chamber,
County Hall, Dorchester.

Wreath- Laying ceremony led by the Mayor of Dorchester,
with the Town Band and entertainment by the new Hardy Players.

Talk/Song Recital by Gordon Pullin (tenor)
at the Dorford Conference Centre, Dorchester.

The Birthday Celebration Dinner at the Kings Arms, Dorchester.

Morning Service at Stinsford St Michael
when a wreath will be laid on Thomas Hardy's grave.

Click here to download

2008

events

programme

click here to download
Adobe Reader if required

Walks & Tours
Join us in exploring the ‘real’ part of Hardy’s ‘partly real, partly dream’ countryside of Wessex – the chalky uplands, the valleys of Great and Little dairies, Casterbridge… 'outer Wessex’.

Please note: In view of the popularity of walks, please let the Programme Secretary know in advance if you are coming, so that a second leader can be arranged if necessary.

Music & Dance
Hardy’s love of music and dance is remembered in some of the Society’s events, both in concerts and social gatherings; concert performances of musical settings of his poems are given from time to time.

Lectures & Readings
Lectures are an important part of the annual programme and are the backbone of the biennial and weekend conferences. World-renowned Hardy scholars are invited to lecture. There is also plenty of opportunity to listen to readings from Hardy's poetry and prose.

Email:

info@hardysociety.org

Tel/Fax:

+44 (0)1305 251501 or (0)1305 837331

Write to:

The Programme Secretary, The Thomas Hardy Society, P.O. Box 1438, Dorchester, Dorset DT11 1YH Enclosing a stamped addessed envelope

Devon and West Dorset Group:
For details of events, please contact:
Kate Fowler

Sheffield Branch:
For details of events, please contact:
Dr. Val Read, 52 Thompson Road, Sheffield, S11 8RB email: VReed52@aol.com

Coventry & Warwickshire Branch:
For details of events, please contact:
Margaret Grantham, 235 Valley Road, Lillington, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 7UF. e-mail: m.grantham@sky.com