| Date | 1 November 2013 |
|---|---|
| Source | Slough Observer |
| Reference | VP-0057 |
| Volume | Views of the Past |
| Collection | Views of the Past |
Transcript
Author’s little known tale
I WAS going through some pages and came across an interesting connection between the author Thomas Hardy and Windsor.
Hardy was famous for literary works such as ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’ and ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’.
Hardy was born in 1840 in Upper Bockhampton to the east of Dorchester in Dorset.
His father worked as a stonemason and builder and it was probably through his father that he acquired an interest in architecture.
After attending school, he became an apprentice to a local architect called James Hicks.
Hardy did his training as an architect in Dorchester before moving to London in 1862 where he studied at Kings College and won many prizes.
While studying in London he worked with architect Arthur Blomfield for five years.
Meanwhile in Windsor, in 1862, the Parish Church of St John was having problems finding parishioners to purchase seats for services at the church as the rents for pews were too high.
This was also a particular problem for poorer people who were unable to attend as they could not afford the rents.
To counteract this problem a new church was proposed and accepted. This Church was to be known as All Saints Church and was to be completely free for its parishioners to worship in.
Queen Victoria was one of the first subscribers and donated £300 toward the construction costs.
The architect who was selected to carry out the works was Arthur Blomfield, who, together with his young assistant Thomas Hardy, came to the site to prepare plans and drawings for the site.
Donations for the church also came from St George’s Chapel, Eton College, and from prominent members of the local community. The total construction costs for the church came to around £4,000.
There was great excitement in Windsor on November 21, 1863, as the foundation stone to the church was to be laid by Queen Victoria’s daughter the Empress Frederick.
Alfred Blomfield and Thomas Hardy sat on a platform, including other dignitaries such as the Bishop of Oxford. Shortly after finishing his time with Sir Arthur Blomfield, Hardy turned his attention to writing novels; the first one being ‘The Poor Man and the Lady’ in 1867. His work as an architect is not known by many, but All Saints Church in Frances Road bears testimony to it.
FAMOUS DESIGNER: The novelist Thomas Hardy – Sir Arthur Blomfield’s assistant helped to design and draw up the plans for All Saints Church in 1862.
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