Thomas Hardy Birthday Weekend - June 2021

Events from the Thomas Hardy Society to commemorate the author's birth 181 years ago

Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th June, Dorchester - various locations

SATURDAY 5TH JUNE:

10.30am: The Mayor of Casterbridge Dorchester Walk - 'from Pummery Ridge to Maembury Ring and Standfast Bridge' 5 mile walk led by Tony Fincham

3.30pm: The Birthday Lecture - Dr Jonathan Memel (Bishops Grosseteste University, Lincoln): 'Thomas Hardy Born Bookworm', The Dorford Centre, Top o' Town, Dorchester Members £5 (Non-members £6) FULLY BOOKED

4.30pm: Tea at the Dorford Centre

5.15pm: Hardy's Statue: Hardy Readings followed by wreath-laying by the Mayor of Dorchester and Dr Jonathan Memel; thence to St. Peter's Church where a wreath will be placed on William Barnes' statue.

6.00pm: Buffet Supper at the Dorford Centre, Dorchester. Members £8 (Non-members £10) FULLY BOOKED

7.30pm: 'Tess's Folk Songs' - a musical history evening with James Findlay (BBC Young Folk Musician of the Year 2012) and Jerry Bird at the Dorford Centre, Dorchester. Members £8 (Non-members £10) FULLY BOOKED

SUNDAY 6TH JUNE:

10.00am: Morning Service at St. Michael's Church, Stinsford. Preacher: The Venerable Penny Sayer, Archdeacon of Sherborne; followed by a wreath-laying at Hardy's Grave FULLY BOOKED

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2025/2026 THS Dates for your diary

From 05/04/2025 until 01/08/2026
Starts 11:00 until 18:00

Professor Roger Ebbatson Public Lecture

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