The first branch meeting of the year was held on Saturday, 9 February 2013, at our usual venue in the Rocks just days after the wonderful announcement about Richard III, which excited members had been eagerly awaiting. As a result of the wide media coverage, there was extraordinary interest in our website and our branch, with hundreds of emails having been received, and a number of new faces at our meeting. We hope to see Amanda, Natasha and Peter again.

Welcoming remarks were offered by our Chairperson, Judith, but departing from our usual routine, the minutes from the previous meeting were not discussed nor were there any of the usual reports presented by the Treasurer, Webmaster, or Librarian. This change was due to this meeting’s emphasis on the final results of the Greyfriars’ dig in Leicester. The results of the osteoarcheological and DNA examinations of the bones, the subsequent facial reconstruction, and the media conference with the research panel from Leicester University, were comprehensively reviewed and summarized by Dorothea for those present. Her excellent coverage can be found on the branch website, as well as the many links she has provided to the various media clips and written reports available on YouTube, BBC, University of Leicester and other websites. Dorothea will also be attending a one-day summing up conference at the University of Leicester in March and will report back to us at the next meeting. Her efforts in keeping all of us to date over the past weeks has been deeply appreciated.

Julia discussed the upcoming conference to be held in July, and encouraged members and guests to register for the exciting speakers and planned social events over that weekend. Also, Sydney’s Genesian Theatre is opening their 2013 season with a production of Shakespeare’s Richard III. After the 10 March 2013 matinee performance, a panel will be convened to discuss the nature of the ‘real Richard’ in light of recent discoveries, for which Julia has been invited to represent the Ricardian point of view. Tickets are available online at http://www.genesiantheatre.com.au

Our guest speaker was the charming Rosamund Burton, author of Castles, Follies and Four Leaf Clovers, a memoir of her journey along the ancient Irish pilgrimage route known as Saint Declan’s Way. She had been been raised in a castle in Lismore, Ireland (her father was employed by the Duke of Devonshire), and presented fascinating slides of the many sacred wells, castles, and the lovely Irish countryside.

The 13 April 2013 meeting will feature “Richard III in the Movies” with our guest Yvette Debergue.

Tags: Ireland, Leicester, Richard III, Richard III Society