Fascinated by folklore? Then you'll be in good company at this event.

Dorset writer Thomas Hardy, was both intrigued and influenced by tales of cunning folk, witches and magical healers. Find out more at an online talk by professor Owen Davies, in which he puts hardy's references to witchcraft and popular magic into historical context.

Owen Davies is professor of social history at the University of Hertfordshire and the current president of the Folklore Society, which was founded in London in 1878. He has published numerous books and articles on the history of witchcraft, magic, ghosts, religion and folk medicine.

The talk takes place on Thursday, September 8, from 7pm to 8pm. You can book on the Wessex Museums website and costs £5 per screen. The talk is one of a series supporting the major exhibition, Hardy's Wessex, which is currently on display at Dorset Museum, Poole Museum, The Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum.