BLUE HERITAGE PLAQUE FOR THOMAS HARDY

Newbury’s 18th blue plaque is a joint venture between Newbury Town Council, the Thomas Hardy Society and the Chequers Hotel, Oxford Street. 

The Thomas Hardy Society, Dorchester www.hardysociety.org is one of the largest literary societies in the world, dedicated to the work of the novelist and poet Thomas Hardy (1840-1928).  His final novel Jude the Obscure (1895) takes place mostly in and around Newbury and Oxford, lightly disguised under the fictional names “Kennetbridge” and “Christminster”.  The topography of Newbury at that time is accurately described, where Northbrook Street is the “long straight street of the borough”.  The Chequers Hotel is expressly mentioned in the novel as a favourable place to stay.

The Town Council, the Society, and the Hotel have therefore agreed to promote a blue plaque at the Hotel which describes this background and will form part of the Thomas Hardy Trail of sites which commemorate his work.  The plaque will be unveiled by the Mayor of Newbury, Cllr Nigel Foot, at 11.30am on Saturday 7th October.  The unveiling will be supported by the Chairman and Academic Director of the Society, Mr Mark Chutter. 

Leader of the Town Council, Cllr Gary Norman, said, “Hardy’s Wessex is the setting for most of his novels, and Newbury is part of that setting.  This blue plaque enhances Newbury’s role as a destination for visitors. 

We are very grateful to the Thomas Hardy Society and to the Newbury Society for their generous contributions to the cost of the plaque, and to the Chequers Hotel for providing the location.                                                 

We are confident that Hardy enthusiasts will welcome this addition to recognised Hardy sites”.

Cllr Gary Norman, Leader of the Council (gary.norman@newbury.gov.uk) 07801 046115

Hugh Peacocke, CEO Newbury Town Council hugh.peacocke@newbury.gov.uk 01635 35486