The NSW Branch of the Rchard III Society now has its own facebook page.  Make sure that you visit us!

You can find us here.

Tags: NSW Branch

Plans are well under way for our day-long conference on Saturday, 12 May next year at the Mittagong RSL from 10h00 – 16h30 (registration from 9h30). We have some interesting speakers lined up to include such subjects as Medieval Coins, the Nevill family, Royal Relics and Richard III on Stage.

Expect the usual raffle, sales tables, quizzes of course, as well as morning and afternoon teas and lunch.  We will arrange somewhere for dinner for those staying on after the conference and, on Sunday, hopefully something as interesting as our last visit to the Southern Highlands for a conference.

Keep the weekend free in your diary for our biennial conference!

Tags: NSW Branch

Many thanks to those of you who have sent their subscription renewals to our Treasurer Judy.  If you haven’t already done so, remember they must be with us either by mail to Judy, a direct deposit to the Branch Bank account as instructed on the renewal form, or paid in person at our Annual General Meeting on 8 October 2011.  Whichever method you choose, our subscriptions have to be forwarded to the UK Executive by 14 October 2011 and after that date we have to ask you for an extra $20 to cover the cost of subsequent banking charges.  Of course, if you are renewing as a Friend, this charge is not applicable as you don’t receive the UK publications. We’d still like your payment though!

Let’s hope many of you can attend the AGM to hear what we have achieved in the last year, and what the future holds in store for the Branch.  The committee for the upcoming year will have to be elected and, while some current officers have already indicated willingness to stand again, there has been a notable reluctance elsewhere.  Please consider if you can commit yourself to helping in some capacity.  We have a good deal of work to do with the conference in Mittagong in May next year and the Australasian Branches of the Richard III Society Convention in 2013.  It would be good to see a few more hands on deck – and some ideas as to what you can contribute.  We do appreciate that the demands of family and work can limit the time you can afford to give, but any assistance, even a promise of making items for sales tables, will earn you a gold star!

And the meeting of course will feature a great presentation by Judith on ‘Hildegard of Bingen’.  This incredible woman has been the subject of several lectures around Sydney recently and you won’t want to miss hearing what Judith has to say.

Tags: NSW Branch

Don’t forget to let Social Secretary, Jane, know if you are going to attend the lunch to remember Richard III’s birthday.  Helen Portus is hosting the occasion at her home in Bundanoon, on Sunday, 2 October from 12h00.  Jane has all the information about train times from Sydney and back, but will need to know if you need to be collected from Bowral Station and driven to Bundanoon.  She must know by 23 September so she can give the numbers to Helen.

Tags: NSW Branch, Richard III

Last Sunday saw a select band of members and friends of the New South Wales Branch attend morning service at beautiful Mary’s Anglican Church in Waverley, to remember King Richard III and all who fell with him at the battle on August 22, 1485.

We were warmly welcomed at the beginning of the service and, just before the end, wishes were expressed that we had found the service rewarding, as indeed we did. And at morning tea with the Parish afterwards we made more friends – and handed out brochures about why the Society exists and some explanations about why we feel it is so important to champion a maligned king. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Bosworth, Church, NSW Branch, Richard III

I’ve been allocated the letter “T” for my Scrabble talk at the Auhust General Meeting, so I would like to talk about Tewkesbury Abbey which I had the pleasure of visiting in 2007.  I will talk a little about the Battlefield as well, because it is so integral to the Abbey.

The Abbey is located on the edge of the Cotswolds, about 10 kms from Cheltenham and is near the junction of the Severn and Avon Rivers.  Tewkesbury the town is very old, most buildings date back to mediaeval period, with two stories and what we know as the “Tudor” style.

It’s quaint and pleasant.  To the right of the main square coming into the town you come across this enormous church, which dominates and almost overwhelms the small town. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Battles, Church, NSW Branch

The latest branch meeting of the Richard III Society of New South Wales was convened on Saturday, 13 August 2011, at the Sydney Mechanics Institute of Arts.  Opening remarks were made by Chair Judith Hughes, who then informed us of the sad news of the passing of Reginald Fulford, husband of member and former chairperson Carol Gerard.  There was a minute of silence to mark our respect and shared sorrow at this news.  A card was passed around for all to add their own comments which will be sent to Carol.

Continuing with the meeting, Judy Howard, our new Treasurer, assured us the Branch was solvent.  Those happy few who attended the recent Richard III conference in Melbourne spoke informally about the excellent speakers, the appealing package with Richard III designs handcrafts, and how worthwhile it had all been. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Anne Neville, NSW Branch, Richard III, Tewkesbury

The following report on the convention of the Australasian branches of the Richard III Society, which took place 5 – 7 August 2011 in Melbourne, is  by long time Society Member Ann Chandler.  Thank you, Ann, for your entertaining report of what must have been an interesting weekend!

The date finally arrived and we all converged on the Victoria Hotel in Melbourne’s Little Collins Street in the early evening of Friday, August 5. The hotel is a lovely old building with much charm and character, recently renovated and the perfect venue for the convention. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Conventions, NSW Branch, Richard III Society

So the saying goes, but this is definitely true for the next general meeting of the NSW Branch of the Richard III Society on 13 August.

Volume 4 of our branch journal, The Chronicles of the White Rose, is at the printers and should be ready later this week or early next week. All members of the NSW branch receive a copy as part of their subscription.  Members attending our general meeting on 13 August will be the first to receive their copies – they will be handed out  at the meeting.  Copies for those, who are unable to attend, will be mailed later.

That is one good thing for our August meeting.

Good thing no. 2 is that the meeting is our “Scrabble Speakers Day” when 3 speakers will be revealing the subjects they have chosen for the session. Once a year members draw Scrabble tiles out of a bag and then prepare a short talk on a topic starting with their letter.  This year Judy will present something starting with the letter “T”, Jane will talk on “N” and Xavier drew “D” .

And the third good thing is that we’ll hear from our travellers who went to the biennial convention of Australasian branches of the Richard III Society, which is taking place in Melbourne, 5 to 7 August. These gatherings are always enlightening and enjoyable – and frequently give ideas for how develop our own activities, so it will be interesting to hear what those attending can report.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the meeting!

Tags: Chronicles of the White Rose, Meeting, NSW Branch