Dorset Archives Trust Summer Gala

Dorset Archives Trust invites you to their Summer Gala at Larmer Tree Gardens, Tollard Royal, by kind permission of the Rushmore estate.
Tickets include strawberries and cream and a glass of fizz.
You are welcome to bring your own picnic (weather permitting) from 6 pm and enjoy a summer evening in these beautiful gardens in the outstanding landscape of Cranborne Chase. Now recognised by English Heritage as a Garden of National Importance, they were created
by General Pitt Rivers in 1880 and were the first privately owned gardens to be opened for public enjoyment.
The General's third daughter, Agnes Fox-Pitt, Lady Grove (1863-1926), was a diarist and writer who supported women's suffrage. In 1895 she met the author Thomas Hardy who became her literary mentor. After her death Hardy recalled both Agnes and Larmer Tree Gardens in his poem "Concerning Agnes". Appropriately, therefore, our speaker tonight at 7 pm is Dr Ruth Burton, archivist for the Thomas Hardy project at Dorset History Centre. Cataloguing of this world-class collection has been generously supported by Dorset Archives Trust, and others. As she nears the conclusion of the project, Ruth will share her insights into the Hardy collection deposited at Dorset History Centre by Dorset Museum and Art Gallery.

TheDorset Archives Trust [https://www.dorsetarchivestrust.org/] is a charity that works to preserve and promote Dorset's rich archival heritage. Its strapline is 'Saving Dorset's disappearing history' and it undertakes this work by fundraising, holding events, supporting projects and promoting the value of archives.
This event is open to members and non-members alike.

To find Larmer Tree Gardens please use SP5 5PY in a Satnav and follow the brown flower road signs.

From Blandford: Take the A354 Salisbury road for 9 miles then turn left onto Millers Lane and after 900 metres turn left again. After 2 miles, the entrance to Larmer Tree is on the right.

From Shaftesbury: Take the A30 towards Salisbury. In 5 miles, after Ludwell, turn right. After 2 miles, at the top of the hill, turn left onto the B3081 and take the second turning on the right. The Larmer Tree entrance is 2 miles on the left.