Visits and Seminars
Andrew and Marilyn Leah are educationalists committed to promoting the work of Thomas Hardy, particularly among young people and students, with a view to enthusing a new generation of Hardy aficionados. To this end we offer a variety of visits and seminars throughout the year for school/college groups, literary groups, clubs and organisations, overseas visitors and other interested parties. These visits can be tailored to the requirements of individual groups.
The Hardy Seminar
The Hardy Seminar is a 2
hour session divided into two halves. The first half deals with Hardy’s life at Max Gate and is aimed at giving students some insight into Hardy’s personality and life-style, which we illustrate with readings of some of the poems intimately associated with the house, and contemporary accounts and photographs. Students are given a conducted tour of the drawing room, the dining room, the second and third studies. There is also a tour of the garden where some of Hardy's most poignant poetry is set. hour session divided into two halves. The first half deals with Hardy’s life at Max Gate and is aimed at giving students some insight into Hardy’s personality and life-style, which we illustrate with readings of some of the poems intimately associated with the house, and contemporary accounts and photographs. Students are given a conducted tour of the drawing room, the dining room, the second and third studies. There is also a tour of the garden where some of Hardy's most poignant poetry is set. hour session in two halves. The first half deals with Hardy’s life at Max Gate and is aimed at giving students some insight into Hardy’s personality and life-style, which we illustrate with readings of some of the poems intimately associated with the house and contemporary accounts, and slides or photographs. Students are given a conducted tour of the drawing room, the dining room and the second and third studies. There is also a tour of the garden where some of Hardy's most poignant poetry is set.The second half of the seminar addresses the book or poetry which the students are currently studying. In general we try to provide background information about the work which is unlikely to be covered in the classroom, although we are happy to incorporate the particular requirements of the teacher/tutor. We can also include short guided tours of ‘Casterbridge’ the ‘Valley of the Great Dairies’ and 'Rainbarrows' for those studying The Mayor, Tess and The Return of the Native - at no extra cost.
We aim to provide a stimulating, lively seminar, which will give students a new perspective on Thomas Hardy and show how his background and experience breathed life into his stories, characters and landscapes.
These seminars are aimed at those studying Hardy for ‘A’ Level or at college/university and literary groups. Up to 30students can be accommodated.
Cost: £4.50 per student (Min. £45.00); adults £5.00 (Min. £50.00)
Tours of Max Gate
Teachers/tutors and groups wishing to visit Max Gate with larger numbers of students (up to 30) will be taken on a guided tour of the house (drawing room & dining room) and garden lasting approximately an hour. It will include readings of poems particularly associated with the house and illustrated with more generalised background information about Hardy and his work.
This visit is aimed at those studying Hardy at GCSE level or groups who require a general introduction to Hardy's life and work.
Cost: £1.50 per student: £2.00 adult (Min. £15.00)
Primary Schools
We also offer half-day poetry workshops for primary school children using Hardy's work, the house and its grounds for inspiration. Classes of up to 30 can be accommodated.
Cost: £2.50 per child
Longer Term Visits
For teachers/tutors considering bringing students to the area on longer-term visits, we have an arrangement with historic Hooke Court, a 16C manor house in a delightful rural setting near Beaminster, some ten miles from Dorchester.
Hooke Court offers reasonably priced, high quality, student and staff accommodation, excellent food and wide variety of educational and leisure activities. We can organise Hardy visits, tours, courses, activities and itineraries based at the Court.
Cost: on application – according to requirements. Early booking is recommended as the accommodation is in great demand.
Other Arrangements
As you know most of the places used by Hardy in his novels have their counterparts in the Wessex of real life. We can organise guided tours and walks of many of these places.
We can also offer slide-illustrated lectures and seminars on many aspects of Hardy’s life and work at your own school/college.
Cost: on application – according to requirements
To book a visit or seminar contact us on e-mail: max.gate@btinternet.com