Thomas Hardy Country Fair

Thomas Hardy Country Fair at Kingston Maurward from 12 noon onwards on Sunday 15th July 2018
The Thomas Hardy Society is celebrating our 50th Anniversary Festival and Conference this summer from 14th to 21st July.
A fair will be taking place that will reflect the Victorian period of Country crafts as well a music and drama of the period. Plans also include Dorset food and drink providers and stalls which draw upon the work of local arts and crafts people. We hope that we shall be providing a fun attraction for the residents of Dorchester and surroundings and their families, and all conference delegates.
Admission 2.50 for adults, students and children are free, in support of the Dorset County Hospital Appeal.

The Wessex Country Fair will include:
A re-enactment of a Bronze Age Village provided by the Ancient Wessex Network - a fascinating and educational centrepiece for the fair.
Our specially prouduced Hardy's Cyder from Dorset Star will be available together with Dorset food and drinks stalls selling a range of local produce.
Country Crafts such as hurdle making and pottery demonstrations. Local crafts people including East Dorset Potters who will have their wares for sale. There will be a plant stall for the gardeners with 'National Collection' plants.
We are planning a rare chance to see veteran cars together with an old Dorchester Brewery Lorry close up!
There will be Mayple and Country Dancing from 'Steps in Time'.
Local troubadour Jerry Bird will provide music from Hardy's era alongside the Folk tunes by popular group Tatterdemalion.
An art exhibition by the Dorchester Art Society will be open in the House.
There will be guided walks taking place around Kingston Maurward for those who like a quieter experience.
William Barnes poetry and music will be performed on the Terrace.
The Duchy of Cornwall has donated a beautiful hamper as first prize in the raffle which will also have, among other prizes, bottles of 2018 50th Anniversary Thomas Hardy's Ale from Interbrau S.P.A. Italy.
Panasonic has agreed to install a TV screen so that no-one misses the World Cup Final!
We shall also be showing a video of 'The Men Who March Away' - the successful production by St Osmund's Middle School, Dorchester.
We also have skittles to 'win a pig!' and a coconut shy!

The Fair will be followed by an evening performance of The Trumpet-Major by the New Hardy Players. Tickets 12.50. Picnics overlooking the lake from 6pm.

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