With the drums of war beating ever louder, what better time to explore the human cost of war? The Thomas Hardy Society is joining forces with the War Poets’ Association and other literary groups to give voice to some extraordinary writers: Thomas Hardy, T.E. Lawrence, Siegfried Sassoon and Edward Thomas, who each had their own unique opinions and experience of the first world war.
The main conference will be held on the Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm. We will explore the nature of war poetry and read and discuss the words of poets and writers that lived through the dark days of World War 1; the readings will cover themes of war in their many and varied aspects — courage, despair, patriotism, loss and sacrifice, and tell the stories, experiences and reflections of these gifted individuals.
There will also be the opportunity to view the Poets Tribute book dedicated and given to Hardy by Siegfried Sassoon and personal letters to Hardy from that time at a special viewing at the Dorset History Centre.
On Saturday evening, there will be a concert for Remembrance – War, Words and English Song. The performance will bring together the words of Thomas Hardy and WW1 poets with English song composers of the early twentieth century, echoing the lived experiences of composers and poets affected by the Great War.
The concert is included in the THS War Poetry Conference weekend ticket, but can be booked separately.
On Sunday, there will be a more local flavour, with an exhibition and talk about Dorchester during WW1 and an opportunity to join in Dorchester’s Remembrance services, follow the Poppy Trail or chill out in the Casterbridge Room at The King’s Arms. After Sunday lunch, we will enjoy a staged performance of “Strange Meeting” and the words of Wilfred Owen.
Discounts are available for members of the Thomas Hardy Society, T.E. Lawrence Society, Siegfried Sassoon Fellowship, Edward Thomas Fellowship, and the War Poets’ Association.
As a precursor to the War Poetry Conference, there will be a special performance at Athelhampton House – WW1: Hardy at Athelhampton on Friday, 7th November at 6pm (payable separately).
Thomas Hardy and his second wife Florence were dining with Alfred Cart de Lafontaine at Athelhampton on the day that the first world war was declared.
To set the scene for the War Poetry Conference, local actors will re-create that fateful dinner in the very room it took place, with the audience moving to other historic rooms to watch events unfold.
For more information and to book, please visit https://www.hardysociety.org/events/
Contact: Miranda Woodgate, Secretary, Thomas Hardy Society – secretary@hardysociety.org.
