Events
Thomas Hardy Society Programme 2012
Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the publication of The Woodlanders
Click to download Events Programme 2012
Saturday 10th March – A Woodlanders Walk – in the territory of the Wessex Edition
10.30 am: Meet at the Car Park opposite Minterne Magna Church (NGR SY 659043) for an approximate 6 mile circular walk on the downs and in the Cerne valley, led by Sue Clarke. Pub lunch or picnic at Cerne Abbas (approx. halfway point). Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and suitable footwear as the route involves some gradual climbing and can be very muddy and slippery in places.
Saturday 5th May – London Walk & Memorial Service
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Hardy’s first arrival in London on 17th April 1862.
10.30 am: meet on the War Memorial Steps (main entrance) at Waterloo Station for an exploration of Hardy’s London lead by Tony Fincham – from the West End to Bloomsbury and St Pancras Old Churchyard (bring a packed lunch) – thence to the Westbourne Park area – returning for
3.30 pm: meet by the West Door of Westminster Abbey (the tomb of the Unknown Warrior) for
3.45 pm: a short thanksgiving service of poetry and prayers in Poets’ Corner, during which a wreath will be laid on Hardy's tomb.
Birthday & Diamond Jubilee Weekend
Saturday 2nd 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 3rd June
11.15am St Michael’s Church, Stinsford
Morning Service, followed by a wreath-laying on Hardy’s grave
Saturday 18th August – Sunday 26th August
The 20th International Thomas Hardy Conference & Festival
See conference page
Saturday 22nd September :A Woodlanders Walk – in the territory of the First Edition.
10.30 am: a walk of just under seven miles through the heart of Hardy’s original Woodlanders country. Meet at The Common, Evershot (the Green at the bottom of East Hill) (NGR ST 574046). Visiting Bubb Down, Little Hintock (Melbury Bubb & Stockwood), Great Hintock (Melbury Osmond) Hintock House & Park (Melbury Sampford) – four Churches. Lunch stop at The Rest and Welcome Inn.
Friday 5th - Sunday 7th October 2012 Thomas Hardy & Philip Larkin Weekend – in the Royal Station Hotel, Hull
A joint event with the Thomas Hardy Society By kind invitation of the Philip Larkin Society www.philiplarkin.com/
The Mercure Hull Royal Hotel is situated in the centre of Hull adjacent to Hull Interchange and was one of Philip Larkin's favourite places. The hotel is the main venue for the weekend and is offering preferential rates for guests.
Full details of the programme and booking enquiries for the weekend or individual events to chriscarole@hotmail.com
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November at Max Gate
A weekend event to commemorate the centenary of the death of Emma Lavinia Hardy – talks by Phillip Mallett, Marilyn Leah and Tony Fincham; poetry readings.
Followed on Tuesday 27th November by a commemoration at Max Gate and at Stinsford Church.
All walks are free but the Society would like to know numbers in advance.
Safety: Any outdoor activity can be hazardous. Participants are reminded to exercise appropriate care on all walks.