Our latest branch meeting was held on a chill and windy Saturday, 11 June 2011, which also marked the 555th birthday of Richard’s Lady Wife, Queen Anne Neville. The Sydney Mechanics’ Institute’s smallest meeting room was filled to overflowing with members happy to be warm indoors.
Opening remarks were made by our Chairperson Judith, who then invited Judy to deliver her first report as our new Treasurer.
In her Secretary’s report, Julia talked about forthcoming meetings and also covered some future social events as Social Secretaries, Jane and Xavier, were unable to attend and offered their apologies. She was pleased to confirm the venue for the 2012 Branch Ricardian biennial conference, which is to be held next May, in the Mittagong RSL. Details will be distributed closer to the time. You can find exact times and other information on future meetings and events in our Upcoming Events section.
Julia reminded us that the Winterfest Medieval Fair is coming up on the weekend of 2 and 3 July in Parramatta, a fun opportunity for people of all ages to wear medieval garb, hear troubadour music, see jousting, and engage in merry-making with fellow enthusiasts.
This year’s commemorative Bosworth Service will be held at St Mary’s the Virgin in Waverley 10 am service, and there will be a Members’ lunch afterwards. We will hear the details closer to the day. This Anglican Church is located at 240 Birrell Street, Waverley, and is an easy 5-minute bus ride (361, 360) from Gate K at the Bondi Junction Interchange.
The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) student presentation of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Richard III, 18-22 June, will be performed outside in the Parade Theatre Courtyard. So if you are intending to get tickets, be prepared to rug up! Contact Ticketek for further information.
Dorothea Preis then gave us the Webmaster’s Report, reminding us that the Branch website was now two years old. She thanked those members who had recently contributed their thoughts about what being a part of the NSW Branch meant to them, and said she had forwarded their submissions to the UK for any use that might be made of them.
Our Guest Speaker was former Chairperson of our Branch and Vice Chair of the Plantagenet Society, Isolde Martyn, the award-winning historical romance writer, whose excellent presentation featured medieval London. She involved all of our senses by introducing the probable smells, sounds and sights of the London of Richard’s era. She also brought books for reference, and showed a number of colourful PowerPoint slides of the architecture, maps, population densities, etc. Hearing about the ale houses, taverns, inns, hospitals, churches, public toilets and shopping centres was deeply interesting. I think we all felt profoundly and newly grateful to be living in an age in which fleas, rats, mice, animal dung and sewage are not the major features of our homes and city streets!
Julia had brought a delicious cake, so we could celebrate Queen Anne’s birthday over a cup of coffee or tea and a piece of birthday cake in style.
The next meeting will be convened on Saturday, 13 August 2011, featuring this year’s ‘Scrabble Speakers’, who will be speaking on various Ricardian topics. This event is always a highlight of the year and would provide an excellent opportunity for a first visit to the Branch, if you have been contemplating it. We look forward to welcoming you!
Tags: Anne Neville, London, NSW Branch
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