Fifty Years of Thomas Hardy Society Birthday Weekend Celebrations - A brief history

Dr Tony Fincham, THS Chairman 

Although the Hardy Birthday weekend celebrations were cancelled; thanks to the efforts of Alistair Chisholm and Sue Clarke, a private wreath-laying took place at Hardy’s Statue and on his grave at Stinsford on the Sunday following his birthday.

2020 Wreathlaying at Hardy's Grave in Stinsford Churchyard

To celebrate the 180th anniversary of Hardy’s birth on Tuesday 2nd June, The New Hardy Players and the Victorian Fair Committee produced this video 

The cancelled birthday weekend celebrations would have been the golden anniversary of this Thomas Hardy Society event. The first formal celebration occurred on 2nd June 1970 when a wreath was laid at Top o’ Town followed by a lecture by the poet Vernon Scammell. This started a pattern of birthday weekend wreath-layings followed by an eminent speaker: Lord David Cecil in 1971, Desmond Hawkins the following year and then Frank Pinion.

Wreathlaying at Stinsford 2019 - Dr Faysal Mikdadi and Dr Tony Fincham

Birthday commemorations at Stinsford 2004 - Furse Swann

Birthday commemorations at Stinsford 2004 - James Gibson and Tony Fincham

Birthday Celebrations 2012 - Mayor of Dorchester and Town Cryer Alistair Chisholm 

Over the ensuing half-century most of the great names in the world of Hardy appreciation have delivered a birthday lecture, interspersed with many equally interesting and knowledgeable speakers from a variety of more humble backgrounds. The annual Hardy Birthday Commemoration Service at Stinsford started on the 145th anniversary of his birth in 1985 and has seen sermons from a wide variety of clerics, many with a strong personal interest in Thomas Hardy – and his personal philosophy of loving-kindness.

24th June 2020

• Associated pages
• Thomas Hardy and the Evolution of Architecture by Samantha Briggs
• The Dynasts Study Day
• PUTTING HARDY TO MUSIC - JON BLAKE
• Fordington Vicarage
• Thomas Hardy's 'Weathers' and Sprigged Muslin
• Unsung Heroes of HardyLand - Margaret Marande
• National Parks help improve young people’s health and life chances
• Unsung Heroes of HardyLand - Mike Nixon
• Unsung Heroes of HardyLand - Andy Worth
• Fifty Years of THS Birthday Weekend Celebrations
• 'Great Things' by Mark Chutter
• Hardy and Lockdown by Tracy Hayes
• What is Learning?
• Hardy and St George's Day by Tracy Hayes
• Thomas Hardy Society Conference 2010 Report by Brenda Parry
• Hardy and Valentine's Day by Tracy Hayes
• Jemima Hardy – The Great Author's Mother by Tracy Hayes
• Hardy and the Titanic by Tracy Hayes
• Hardy and Shakespeare by Tracy Hayes
• Thomas Hardy and the May Day Festival by Tracy Hayes
• The Hardys and the Suffragette Movement by Tracy Hayes

Dates for your Diary

From 14/09/2024 until 01/08/2026
Starts 09:00 until 18:00

Stourhead House and Gardens Trip

On 28/09/2024
Starts 12:00

10th DORCHESTER LITERARY FESTIVAL

From 12/10/2024 until 19/10/2024
Starts 12:00 until 19:30

MARK CHUTTER A LITERARY WALK – WESSEX WRITERS

On 13/10/2024
Starts 12:00 until 14:00

A Hedgehog Hospital for Dorset

Aug2024

Thomas Hardy Society Schools Outreach

Aug2024

Dorset Museum and Art Gallery

Aug2024

New Thomas Hardy book on his 'problematic' marriage

Aug2024