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Thomas Hardy Birthday Weekend
The main activities for the Thomas Hardy Birthday Weekend will start on Saturday with a mid-day walk followed by a lecture at the Shire Hall Museum in the Old Court Room and another in the Casterbridge Room at The King's Arms before the annual wreath-laying procession, then an optional group dinner back at the King's Arms.
*Attendees are invited to join a Group Dinner afterwards at 6.15pm (bookable/payable separately)
On Sunday at 10 am there will be a Birthday Service at St Michael’s Church, Stinsford followed by wreath-laying and readings at Hardy's grave. Afterwards, a picnic followed by a walk to Hardy' cottage with readings along the way.
*Stinsford Church will be hosting a special event (2 performances) but this is not a Thomas Hardy Society event so is not included in the birthday weekend ticket
Itinerary
Saturday 31st May 2025
1130 - Registration: The King's Arms, Casterbridge Room
1200 - Midday Walk with Mark Damon Chutter. ‘ Performativity and theatrical spaces in The Mayor of Casterbridge and Poetry ‘
Leaves from the Town Pump, Cornhill, Dorchester at 12.00pm.
1400 - Lecture: Hardy & Justice, Mark Damon Chutter, Shire Hall Museum
1515 - The Birthday Lecture - "Neither Tory nor Radical: Hardy, Politics, and Culture", Phillip Mallett, Casterbridge Room, The King’s Arms
1700 - Wreath Laying procession to Hardy’s Statue and ending at William Barnes statue, St Peter's Church
*Attendees are invited to join a Group Dinner afterwards at 6.15pm (bookable/payable separately)
*The Set Menu is for 2 or 3 courses for £32/£40 - Download Menu
*Places are limited to 35
Sunday 1st June 2025
1000 - Birthday Service at St Michael’s Church, Stinsford
1100 - Wreath-laying at St Michael's Church followed by tea/biscuits
1130 - Walk around Stinsford and Kingston Maurward estate with readings en route
1330 - Picnic in Kingston Maurward gardens (bring your own or purchase from the cafe)
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1500 - A Beautiful Thread - (Not included in the birthday weekend ticket - Bookable/Payable separately)
1930 - A Beautiful Thread - (Not included in the birthday weekend ticket - Bookable/Payable separately)
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THS Thomas Hardy Birthday Weekend Tickets - £ 20.00/£25 Non-Members
Event location map
Society calendar
Upcoming events
2025/2026 THS Dates for your diary
From 06/12/2025 until 01/08/2026
Starts 12:00 until 18:00
Starts 12:00 until 18:00
London Walk: The Hardy Tree
On 06/12/2025
Starts 12:00 until 14:00
Starts 12:00 until 14:00
London Lecture 2025: Hardy in London
On 06/12/2025
Starts 15:00 until 16:00
Starts 15:00 until 16:00
Going The Rounds 2025 - Church Performance
On 11/12/2025
Starts 18:30 until 20:30
Starts 18:30 until 20:30
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