The Hardy Cello

by John Dike

On a recent visit to Dorset Museum I noticed the Cello in the Hardy Gallery only had two untensioned strings, a precariously balanced neck and cracks in the ribs. A sad sight indeed and it was clear it had had a major accident.

I was familiar with the Cello as I had carried out a major restoration in 1990 when Roger Peers was the Curator. I remember being asked if it would be ready to be played for the celebrations of Thomas Hardy’s 150th birthday and also for the visit of Professor Sam Hynes of Princetown University, who together with American scholars had raised the funds for the work.

It was this instrument according to Michael Millgate (Thomas Hardy a Biography Revisited 2004 p384), which had been bought from his cousin Nathaniel Sparks senior in Bristol “At a very reasonable price”.

So after consultation with the Museum I began work. After a few days the Cello neck and cracks had been glued, and fittings and soundpost back in place. It was rewarding to hear the rich sound of the Cello played by Margaret Dike. It’s now back on display but now in a safe and playable condition should the occasion arose.

John and Margaret Dike play with Dave Barlow as "The Greenwood Tree-O". They played at the recent THS event Hardy & Music and will be playing at the Harvest Home with the Distracted Preacher in the grounds of St Michael's Church, Owermoigne on 20th September 2026.

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