Hi I have just caught a radio programme on BBC Radio 4 called Going the Rounds which describes how "At Christmas time the lanes around Hardy's birthplace echo to traditional Dorset carols as the Thomas Hardy Society and musicians 'The Madding Crowd' re-enact 'Going the Rounds' from 'Under the Greenwood Tree'. As she follows the performance around the original locations, local writer and broadcaster Claire Kendall-Price, discovers how traditional customs, places and people feature in the novel during this seasonal celebration of Thomas Hardy's Wessex." It also has some family history interest about families in the area around Hardy's birthplace, Bockhampton. I think you should be able to hear it on http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml Hope this is of interest Regards Maureen Bowler Caerphilly, South Wales <Mmbowler1@aol.com

Thanks so much for the link. A most enjoyable and informative programme. Lovely to hear one of the more lively tunes for "While Shepherds watched" Cathy Western Australia At 20:24 18/12/2003, Mmbowler1@aol.com wrote: >Hi > >I have just caught a radio programme on BBC Radio 4 called Going the Rounds >which describes how > >"At Christmas time the lanes around Hardy's birthplace echo to traditional >Dorset carols as the Thomas Hardy Society and musicians 'The Madding Crowd' >re-enact 'Going the Rounds' from 'Under the Greenwood Tree'. > >As she follows the performance around the original locations, local writer >and broadcaster Claire Kendall-Price, discovers how traditional customs, >places >and people feature in the novel during this seasonal celebration of Thomas >Hardy's Wessex." > >It also has some family history interest about families in the area around >Hardy's birthplace, Bockhampton. > >I think you should be able to hear it on > >http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml > >Hope this is of interest > >Regards >Maureen Bowler >Caerphilly, South Wales ><Mmbowler1@aol.com