Illustrated talk on Friday 13th June at 7.30pm in aid of Museum funds. Mary and Kate Hardy Salisbury, Wessex & Beyond A talk on the Sisters of Renowned Wessex Poet & Novelist Thomas Hardy By Anne Johns & Jenny Head
To be held at Avonway 7.30pm. Tickets £10 to include light refreshments. Tickets available from www.ticketsource.co.uk Fordingbridge Museum & Tina at Timothy’s Fordingbridge High Street
Fordingbridge Museum is delighted to sponsor a captivating evening talk that shines a light
on two remarkable yet often overlooked figures in literary history — Mary and Kate Hardy,
the sisters of novelist Thomas Hardy.
Presented by Anne Johns and Jenny Head, this event will delve into the lives and legacies of
these pioneering women, who trained as teachers in Salisbury Cathedral Close — in the
very building that is now home to the Salisbury Museum. Under tough and austere
conditions, they prepared for a life of service in education, later teaching in schools across
Dorset and Wiltshire during a time when the teaching profession was underfunded and
undervalued.
Museum Manager Jane Ireland said:
“Mary and Kate Hardy lived in the shadows of their famous brother despite being trailblazers
in the early days of nineteenth-century education. Thomas Hardy drew inspiration from their
experiences for novels like Jude the Obscure. This talk will offer a fascinating insight into this
little-known aspect of the Hardy family.”
Speakers Anne Johns and Jenny Head bring a unique perspective to the story. They trained
as teachers at the same college as the Hardy sisters, albeit in more enlightened times, and
have authored several books on the subject. Their deep connection to the region and their
shared background in education promise an informative and enthralling evening.
Don’t miss this chance to uncover the hidden history of two extraordinary women who
helped shape early education in the West Country — and inspired one of England’s greatest
writers.
Book your tickets now and enjoy an evening of literary and historical discovery.