Culture

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The 27th International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival takes place at The Dorford Centre
Culture

27th International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival welcomes literature lovers to Dorset

Actress Olivia Colman, who has backed the campaign to save Bridport's Lyric Theatre, pictured at an evening event wearing a gold leaf headpiece and black coat.
Culture

Olivia Colman backs urgent fight to save Bridport’s 250-year-old Lyric Theatre

A black and white archive photograph of Portland Fair showing two women laughing on the dodgems. The woman driving has dark curled hair and dangling earrings, her mouth open mid-laugh as she grips the white steering wheel, while her blonde companion smiles beside her. Behind them, a fairground worker in a dark shirt steps between the bumper cars, and children can be seen riding in other cars across the rink. A man walks past the painted boards at the edge of the ride, with strings of lights and fairground signage visible above. The photograph captures the joy and atmosphere of the much-missed fair, held in Chiswell every November 5 for more than 200 years until it ended in 2001.
Culture

Portland Fair brought back to life as b-side festival reveals 2026 line-up

Sepia-toned historical photograph of Thomas Hardy, the renowned Dorset novelist and poet, standing beside a vintage bicycle on a tree-lined country road. He wears a formal suit jacket, patterned trousers, waistcoat and fedora hat. The photograph dates from the early-to-mid 20th century. Trees and foliage are visible in the soft-focused background.
Culture

Thomas Hardy archive open to madding crowds

A performer on stage at an outdoor festival raises his arm to an enthusiastic crowd wearing a blue t-shirt. Thousands of festival-goers fill the field below, with multiple festival tents and marquees visible in the background, including a distinctive red and white striped circus-style tent. The rural setting features open countryside and blue sky with scattered clouds.
Culture

Top line-up for new-look Jurassic Fields Festival

Wessex Morris Men 3
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Hankies and sticks welcome the summer…with bells on

John Dike Stinsford Quire
Culture

Violin restorer takes a bow with the fascinating tale of Thomas Hardy’s old cello