TO mark the 168 years since Thomas Hardy's birth a feast of events will take place in Dorchester.
An English professor who has travelled from the University of Georgia, Doctor Simon Gatrell will start the celebrations tomorrow at 3.30pm (Saturday June 7) in the Council Chamber, County Hall, when he gives a talk on the novel - The Return of The Native.
Following that there will be tea in the members room with entertainment from the Durnovaria Band and the New Hardy Players.
The Mayor of Dorchester will lead a wreath laying ceremony at Hardy's Statue at Top 'o Town.
The evening entertainment starts at 6.15pm in the Dorford Conference Centre with a talk and song recital by tenor Gordon Pullin from Hardy Poems.
At 7.30pm a dinner will take place at the Kings Arms in Dorchester featuring Dennis Holliday as an after-dinner speaker.
Tickets for the birthday lecture are £6, the song recital £5 and the meal £14 and these are discounted for members.
Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Antelope Walk or by calling 01305 251501.
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