Hardy's Birthday Weekend

Celebrating Hardy's Life & Works

Each year, The Thomas Hardy Society holds a series of events on the weekend nearest Hardy’s birthday to celebrate his life and legacy. This year was no different. The programme included several lectures, a birthday walk visiting places linked to Hardy, an afternoon of Hardy & Music, wreath-layings with readings, and Evensong at St Michael’s Church, Stinsford, finishing with a special recital of words and music.

Birthday Wreath-laying 2026

Three wreath-layings were held during the Hardy birthday weekend. The first was part of a procession led by Dorchester’s Mayor, Town Councillors, and members of the Thomas Hardy Society to lay a wreath and give readings at Hardy’s statue during this year’s Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair. It concluded with a second wreath-laying at the statue of William Barnes, Hardy’s close friend and mentor.

The third took place at St Michael’s Church, Stinsford, which was significant in both Hardy’s life and his writing. He was baptised there, attended services, and his heart is buried in the churchyard alongside family members and both of his wives. Hardy's wreaths were made locally by Shirley Churchill and made of Stinsford Yew.

The wreath-laying with readings by The Thomas Hardy Society Chair & Academic Director, Mark Damon Chutter and THS CoM member, Alban O'Brien took place after a special Evensong. Refreshments followed and then participants enjoyed a wonderful recital: ‘The Revolution of the Year’: A Sequence of Words and Music

Musicians from Music at St Peter’s presented a sequence of words and music that focused on anniversaries. This sequence drew on Hardy’s words of remembrance, reflecting on and complementing them with choral settings, instrumental interludes and solo songs.

A huge thank you to Dr Natalie Burton and Sue Clarke for organising.