LOCAL PLAQUES

THOMAS HARDY AND JOHN HICKS

DORCHESTER

This stone plaque is outside the Gorge Café in South Street, Dorchester. While much is known about the novelist Thomas Hardy, the name inscribed alongside him is lesser known.

This building was where Hardy worked as a pupil to Victorian architect John Hicks.

The firm was responsible for many buildings in the area and Hardy's father also worked for the firm - in 1856 undertaking repairs on Woodsford Castle.

Hicks was also head of history of art at Eton for nearly 20 years.