By Vicky Nash Audience and Content Editor
Thomas Hardy s birthday events in Dorchester will be scaled back this year IN a break from tradition Dorchester’s new Mayor and Mayoress will be the only representatives from the town council at this weekend’s Thomas Hardy birthday events. Normally the entire town council marches, in full regalia, to the wreath laying ceremony at Hardy’s statue at the Top o’ Town. Other events planned by the Thomas Hardy Society will also be low key with limited numbers because of on-going Covid restrictions. After the Saturday afternoon wreath laying, which will include Hardy readings, the official party will walk to St Peter’s Church to lay a wreath at the statue of Dorset dialect parson-poet the Rev William Barnes.
Family seek answers from former employers after father-of-three dies from asbestos-related cancer The family of a father-of-three who died from asbestos-related cancer are appealing for help to establish how he was exposed to the hazardous substance. Peter Wood died from mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lining of the lungs, most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos. He was diagnosed in February 2019 after several months of suffering with a bad cough and chest infection but sadly his condition deteriorated and he died on June 3 2019 aged 86. Following his diagnosis, Mr Wood, from Leyland, instructed asbestos-related disease lawyers to investigate his illness and whether his work could have been to blame for his asbestos exposure, and after he died, his family, including his three children, Mandy, Ian and Christine, continued with the investigation.