The THS Jude The Obscure study day was a great success. Indeed, the event was full and had been for several weeks.

A special thanks to Grassby Funeral Service for sponsoring and bringing in Hardy's sketch of the memorial to Wessex, Hardy's beloved dog.

An eclectic range of discussion and debate around the novel ensued during the day with speakers Alban O’Brien, Dr Tony Fincham, Anna Bliss and Mark Damon Chutter . In the evening, Giles Keating delivered a talk regarding his innovative new poetry project based at Athelhampton House. The group meal in The King's Arms Restaurant afterwards was most agreeable.

On the Sunday, Mark North and Byron Silver led a stunning walk around Upwey with Hardy links and connections including the church, laying flowers on the grave of Joan Groves, one of the six children of Thomas Hardy, TH's grandfather and Mary Head, the youngest of 6 children. Another daughter also called Jane had died in infancy. The group also visited the ‘Wishing Well’ where Hardy had made a wish on a visit with his niece. Lunch afterwards at the Old Ship Inn, inspiration for Hardy's `Great Things'.

*

• Associated pages
Members portalLog out

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

On 07/05/2025
Starts 15:00 until 18:30

Launch Event: 10 Lovers, 50 Poems

On 09/05/2025
Starts 17:30 until 19:30

Paula Byrne Lecture: Hardy Women: Mother, Sisters, Wives, Muses

On 30/05/2025
Starts 18:00 until 19:00

Past Day School in Dorchester

Apr2025

Music at St Peter's this Easter

Apr2025

Professor Fred Reid Tribute

Apr2025

Arthur Neal at Athelhampton

Apr2025