Throngs of people stepped back in time in Dorchester on Saturday to celebrate the birthday of Thomas Hardy.
The Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair attracted thousands of literary lovers and history buffs, many wearing Victorian attire, for its third year celebrating the life and times of the novelist and poet, who was born in 1840 in Higher Bockhampton.
With Penny Farthing displays, live history from ‘The Ragged Victorians’, a Punch and Judy Show, craft demonstrations and Morris Dancing plus a Victorian pop-up market and age-old traction engines, all things Victorian, (except the smallpox), was celebrated.

Event coordinator Miranda Woodgate said: “It was lovely to see everyone having such a great time at the Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair.  The town was transported back to a former age with steam engines and penny farthings in the street – Thomas Hardy would have felt quite at home!  The event complemented the annual wreath-laying procession to Thomas Hardy’s statue, where the Mayor of Dorchester, accompanied by town counsellors and the Thomas Hardy Society pay tribute on the legendary author’s birthday weekend.  A huge thanks to Dorchester Town Council, Dorchester BID and local sponsors for supporting the event. The feedback from performers, traders and many members of the public that attended has been tremendous – a huge thumbs up from all.”