THOMAS HOBBES FESTIVAL 2025
THoMS are delighted to tell you about our first fantastic Festival weekend in April this year. We really wanted this weekend to enthuse our community as well as interested visitors to our town, and of course fans of Hobbes philosophy - and we weren't disappointed! There was a wonderful turn out of people of all ages, if you weren’t able to come along this year, then you missed some brilliant talks and walks, together with some amazing archaeology. Due to extra historical research by Tony McAleavy, which uncovered more information about Thomas Hobbes and his home, Cotswold Archaeology were able to place their trenches more accurately which made the Dig even more successful. Please see our Youtube video below for their conclusions at the end of the Dig.
Here are a few more Festival photos, full details and pictures of the Festival are available to members only in our newsletter.
FESTIVAL THANKS
So many people, organisations and businesses deserve a special thank you...
Dyson Foundation - financial grant
Cotswold Archaeology- financial grant and other support
Malmesbury Town Council -financial grant, publicity and selling of tickets
The Mayor of Malmesbury - who kindly visited the event.
Malmesbury Civic Trust- financial grant and bookstall
Malmesbury History Society - financial grant and bookstall
The Old Bell Hotel - venue and assistance
Explore Malmesbury for guided walks plus donation of proceeds
Malmesbury Secondary School and students -assisting at the dig
Riverside Community Centre for arranging talks for older people in our community
Wiltshire Council Area Board for funding older people's talks.
Barn Owl Books in Oxford St - for their great window display featuring the latest Hunger Games publication and
Hobbes book, written by Tony McAleavy
Also of course... Dr. Vittorio Bufacchi, Dr. Chris Ray and Tony McAleavy for their fabulous talks and other support; Alan Taylor for online publicity; Fiona Scott of Scott Media for her help and our Youtube video, Campbell Ritchie and Sara Crabb not only for their guided walks, but for input helping to shape the festival.
Great Volunteers - who helped manage the events. Great Volunteers at the Dig - particularly those from Cotswold Archaeology and other local 'diggers' who gave their time and expertise for free. And many grateful thanks to my colleagues on the THoMS Committee. Lastly huge thanks to everyone who came along and enjoyed the Festival!
Kim Power Chair of THoMS.
Thomas Hobbes - Philosopher
Thomas Hobbes, born in Malmesbury, Wiltshire in 1588, was a polymath – a philosopher, poet, classicist, mathematician and scientist. His historical claim to fame lies in the fact that, by general consensus, he is England’s most important philosopher and a founder of modern political philosophy or what in many universities today is known as ‘political science’.
William cavendish, 2nd Earl of Devonshire
