My interest in Thomas Hardy was aroused when I discovered a connection between my ancestors and the great Dorset novelist, poet and dramatist: that connection being the Moule family of Fordington.
Fordington, which lies on the outskirts of Dorchester – Dorset’s county town – is situated only 2 miles from Thomas Hardy’s family home at Higher Bockhampton. My paternal ancestors, who were yeoman farmers, lived here, and were baptised, married and buried at its parish church of St George, by the vicar, the Revd Henry Moule (1801–80). The Revd Moule’s son, Horatio Mosley Moule (known as Horace), was Hardy’s mentor and also his dearest friend.