War Poetry Conference

With the drums of war beating ever louder, what better time to explore the human cost of war, listening to the voices of those that lived through times of war and often, experienced it for themselves?

The Thomas Hardy Society is joining forces with other literary groups to give a stage to the words of some extraordinary writers: Thomas Hardy, T.E. Lawrence, Siegfried Sassoon and Edward Thomas, and discuss how they expressed themselves through the darkest days of war.

Weekend Itinerary:

Saturday (The Dorford Centre, Dorchester)

• 0930    Registration
• 1000    Chairs’ Welcome
• 1015    War Poets Association – What is War Poetry?
• 1045    Coffee Break
• 1100    Thomas Hardy
• 1145    TE Lawrence
• 1230    Lunch
•                Visit to Keep Military Museum Grounds (opposite venue) (Optional)
• 1400    Siegfried Sassoon
• 1445    Edward Thomas
• 1530    Afternoon Tea
• 1600    Plenary Discussion
• 1630    Networking
• 1700    Close

Saturday Evening (St Mary’s Church, Dorchester)

• 1900    Remembrance – War, Words and Music

Sunday (The Casterbridge Room, The King’s Arms)

• 0930    Registration/Welcome/Coffee
• 0945    Dorchester during WW1 – Exhibition
• 1030    Wreath-laying at Dorchester War Memorial (optional)
• 1130    Dorchester during WW1 – Talk
• 1230    The Prisoner of War Commemoration Service (Fordington Cemetery) (optional)
• 1400    Sunday Lunch
• 1500    Wilfred Owen Performance
• 1700    Close