A MUCH-loved actress who formed Dorset’s last living link to the great author Thomas Hardy has died at the grand old age of 105.

Tributes have poured in for Norrie Woodhall, who acted in the original Hardy Players under the direction of Hardy and was hailed by her family as ‘a champion of Dorset’.

She died in her sleep in the early hours of yesterday following several months of ill health.

Norrie was born in Dorchester on December 18, 1905, and lived in Dorset her whole life, spending her final years at Owermoigne.

Her great-nephew Michael Toms said: “She will be remembered as somebody who loved Dorset and was Dorset born and bred.

“We have been expecting it for some time, but it still leaves a hole there.”

He added: “It’s the end of an era and she will be missed by a lot of people. Dorset has lost one of its champions.”

Mr Toms said Norrie, who was almost certainly the last surviving person to know Hardy personally, had proved an inspiration to many, particularly for her achievements since turning 100.

Those achievements including reforming the Hardy Players acting group, which she had originally been a member of in the 1920s.

Mr Toms said: “For her life really began again at 100 when she started the New Hardy Players.”

Friend and member of the New Hardy Players Devina Symes said Norrie would be sadly missed by all who knew her.

She said: “We all mourn the loss of an incredible, inspirational and special lady, who was one of Dorset’s great ambassadors.”

Mrs Symes added that seeing the Hardy Players reform when she was 100 years old was a lifetime’s wish come true for Norrie and she was heavily involved in much of its work.

The Players also raised more than £30,000 for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, Norrie’s nominated charity.

Mrs Symes said: “Thomas Hardy said that we have two deaths.

“The first is when we die, the second is when the last person who knew us dies.

“With the passing of Norrie Woodhall, Thomas Hardy has had his second death.

“What a fitting tribute to Norrie, who loved Hardy’s works and shared his great love of Dorset.”

Chairman of the New Hardy Players Andy Worth said: “She was a terrific inspiration not just to the Players but to Hardy supporters and although she is the last living link with the great man she leaves a tremendous legacy.

“We have all learned from her, we have greatly enjoyed her company and we will miss her.”

Mr Toms said that a memorial service would be held for his great-aunt, but the details had yet to be finalised.