2nd-3rd June 2012:
Birthday & Diamond Jubilee Weekend

Saturday 2^nd June

10.30 am: The Woodlanders in Sherborne

Park in one of the town centre car parks and then meet at the war memorial in front of Sherborne Abbey ( in Half Moon Street but well signposted) for a 2-3 mile walk led by Helen Lange. This will begin and end in the town but will include the more rural area around Sherborne Old Castle. Mostly easy walking but a few inclines. There are plenty of places from which to choose to have lunch afterwards.

3.30 pm The Birthday Lecture:Eric Christen (former lecturer at the College Voltaire in Geneva) will speak on “Hardy in Switzerland - June - July 1897” – a trip taken by Hardy to escape from Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Conference Hall, The Dorford Centre, Top o’ Town, Dorchester.  Tickets: £5 (members £4).

4.45 pm Tea at the Dorford Centre.  

5.30 pm  Hardy’s Statue A brief performance by the New Hardy Players, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony with the Mayor & Dorchester Town Council, where wreaths will be laid by the Mayor and Eric Christen, following which the band lead the company to St Peter’s Church for a wreath to be laid at William Barnes’ statue.

7.30 pm Buffet Supper (provided by Paninis of Dorchester) at The Dorford Centre

8.30 pm Graham Moore the celebrated Dorset folk singer and songwriter - in concert. Tickets are £14 (members £12) for the meal and the Graham Moore concert. Tickets for Graham Moore ONLY £8. 

Sunday 3^rd June

11.15am St Michael’s Church, Stinsford

Morning Service, followed by a wreath-laying on Hardy’s grave