A fascinating fresh appreciation of a great writer and the people and places he immortalised.

Thomas Hardy Confidential

Secret Loves of his Life?

10% Summer Discount if it’s your first time at Othona

Othona West Dorset – the best seaside retreat on the south coast?

Creativity, community, spirituality… and fun!

Thomas Hardy is known mostly for his powerful novels set here in Dorset. But what do you know of his literary first love, his poetry? And what about the ‘secret’ love affair of his youth that haunted and helped shape his writing for decades to come? See where he lived, walk the path he and his girlfriend trod, discover more of his poems, even his favourite music.

We’ll learn about these lesser-known aspects of Hardy from two experts, Graham Fawcett and Nicholas Hillyard. On Saturday evening the New Hardy Players folk band Tatterdemalion come to lead us in a ceilidh evening (caller Angela Laycock) with dance tunes Hardy himself knew and played. (If dancing isn't your thing, just enjoy the tunes!)

Add to all this walks and visits to the key places he lived, we can look forward to a fascinating fresh appreciation of a great writer and the people and places he immortalised.

Convening the event is Virginia Astley, who has been deeply involved with Hardy's Cottage (as writer in residence) and with Max Gate, the house he designed for himself in later life.

Fees for this five-day event:

Adult - £240

Adult with Single Supplement - £280

Deposit - £30

Arrive between 4 - 6.30pm on Wednesday 12th June

Depart after 2.30pm Sunday 6th June

https://www.othonawestdorset.org.uk

Contact: Louise Heatley Louiseheatley2000@yahoo.com

or: bookings@othona-bb.org.uk

 

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