Sunday 20th September 2026
Starts 15:00 until 19:30
St Michael's Church, Church Lane, Owermoigne, Dorset, DT2 8HS

Harvest Home with the Distracted Preacher

A Harvest Festival event at St Michael's Church, Owermoigne

Date: Sunday, 20th September 2026

Time: From 3pm to 7.30pm

Venue: St Michael's Church, Owermoigne

Cost: FREE (Donations Welcome)

Hardy wrote The Distracted Preacher in 1879 about a young Wesleyan minister who moves to a Dorset village. He falls for his landlady, Lizzy Newberry, but discovers she is involved in smuggling liquor from France, forcing him to choose between his moral duty and his love for her.

The comic novella was based on Owermoigne, where Hardy had deep roots, as generations of his ancestors lived, worked, and were recorded in the parish registers there. The village inspired the short story, featured in Wessex Tales, where it appears as "Nether Moynton," featuring smuggling tales likely passed down from his forbears.

The church has display panels on Thomas Hardy’s family origins in Owermoigne, “The Distracted Preacher” and Smuggling in Owermoigne, the facts behind Hardy’s story.

Join The Thomas Hardy Society and others on a special visit to this pretty Dorset church and village, so quintessentially English. Celebrate Harvest Home with some traditional fun and support the Church's Gift Day.