FANS of Thomas Hardy gathered in Dorchester recently for a biannual event to celebrate his work.

The International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival was held in Dorchester at the end of July, with organisers hailing it “a roaring success”.

The 2026 event was the 27th biannual conference of the Thomas Hardy Society since the literary organisation was formed in 1968, and featured keynote speakers such as Richard Franklin, Professor Mark Ford, Jackie Walker, Professor Roger Ebbatson and Dr Trish Ferguson.

Talks were accompanied by an “eclectic range of walks and tours”, such as to Oxford, Wolfeton House, Lulworth and Sherborne.

Entertainment included the New Hardy Players and their performance of The Trumpet Major at Poxwell Manor by kind permission of Sarah Gregson and Kenneth Young.

There were also performances by the Hardy Annuals and a moving concert, In Harmony with Hardy, by pianist and singer James Graham and curated by Dr Natalie Burton.

Elsewhere, writing workshops were facilitated by the Bard of Caer Dur, Dorchester, Rebecca Danicic and the Grand Bard, Peter Roe.

A workshop was also delivered by Finn Horden, as well as an informative session regarding the Hardy archives at the Dorset History Centre, led by principal archivist, Claire Skinner.

The next major conference will be in 2028 to celebrate the centenary of Hardy’s death, featuring a range of events on offer throughout the year, including a memorial service at Westminster Abbey with actor Anton Lesser.

Chair and academic director of the Thomas Hardy Society, Mark Damon Chutter, said: “The international conference and festival was such a success with delegates from Japan, USA , China and India, and the feedback from our members and delegates was outstanding.

“I am proud and privileged to have led the society since 2022 and I have been elected at the recent AGM to lead until 2030. My gratitude to our secretary, Miranda Woodgate, for organising such a wonderful conference.

“Come and join the society for walks, talks, tours, lectures, drama and musical performances and for everything Hardy.”

For more information on the Thomas Hardy Society – including how to join – visit hardysociety.org.

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