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Friday 9 October 2026

‘SHINING A LIGHT ON THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK’S PALACE AT SOUTHWELL’

An illustrated talk by Roger Blaney.

This important building has over 1000 years of history. Richard I and Henry VI stayed here, possibly even Richard III en route to Nottingham Castle.

We held our own excellent medieval banquet some years ago in the palace great hall.

Roger is a steward and head guide at Southwell Minster.

7.30pm Long Bennington Village Hall.

Saturday 28 November 2026

CHRISTMAS VISIT TO BURTON AGNES HALL, YORKSHIRE. 

This stunning building was designed by Robert Smythson, master mason to Elizabeth I.

His glorious projects include Wollaton Hall, Hardwick Hall and Longleat.

There has been a house here since 1173. It is now home to the Cunliffe-Lister family who have decorated each room for the festive season, using flowers and foliage gathered from the estate.

The house has many treasures, a resident ghost and a screaming skull!

There is a shop and a cafe providing an excellent lunch, or take your own packed lunch.

Our visit includes a sumptuous afternoon tea.

Price - £60 to £70. Price includes coach, entry to house and gardens and afternoon tea.

We must have 20 people to run at this price.

Pick Up - Royal Oak Long Bennington 

Time - To be advised.

Friday 4 December 2026. 

BRANCH CHRISTMAS DINNER.

By popular request we return to The Royal Oak Long Bennington. 

Time - 7.00pm.

Price - to be advised.

Menu Choice - available from Jean.

Book with Jean by the end of October.

Cheques to Jean. Or by BACS using reference Xmas dinner.

Saturday 30 January 2027 

WINTER WARMER - A NEW YEAR GET TOGETHER. 

Whittakers Bar & Restaurant, Long Bennington. 

Time - 12 noon.

Menu available in the New Year.

Please book with Jean by the end of December.

Friday 26 February 2027

OWN CARS OR COACH VISIT TO CLAWSON OLD MANOR, LONG CLAWSON, LEICESTERSHIRE LE14 4PE WITH PUB LUNCH.

Simon and Sally-Ann Shouler were in the middle of rescuing this house from the ‘heritage at risk register’ when we visited some years ago. They very kindly welcome us to view the changes since our last visit.

This is the oldest house in the Vale of Belvoir and it has a fascinating history, from the medieval period to the present day. You will be enthralled by its story.

We are very privileged to be allowed this private visit so please support.

We can only take 20 people and it’s first come first served.

Jean was unsure whether to book a coach for this trip. Please when you book indicate if you would like a coach or whether you would prefer to travel in your own car.

Price - Depends on numbers and mode of transport.

Departure time - By coach from the Royal Oak Long Bennington to be advised.

By car - Please be at Clawson Old Manor LE14 4PE at 10.00am for coffee/tea and biscuits. Our house tour takes place at 10.30am.

We will have a pub lunch after the tour.

Thursday 18 March 2027.

A MYSTERY TRIP WITH LUNCH.

Come along and enjoy being 'mystified'.

We have had some wonderful and diverse mystery trips in the past and you will certainly enjoy this one. Friends and family are most welcome to join us.

Jean will issue a clue about the venue and a small prize will be awarded for the correct answer.

We must have enough people to cover expenses before Jean can book the coach and organise the lunch.

Price - To be advised (the more passengers the cheaper the price)

Coach - Pick up from the Royal Oak Long Bennington. 

Time - To be advised.

Please book with Jean by the end of January. 

Saturday 20 March 2027

‘MEDIEVAL BEEKEEPING.’

An illustrated talk by Caroline Wright.

Bees were an important part of medieval life.

They were often elaborately housed by the wealthy and they produced the honey and wax that was much in demand in the Middle Ages.

Time - 7.30pm - Long Bennington Village Hall.

Friday 30 April 2027.

‘FISH AND FASTING’.

An illustrated talk by Mark Dawson.

Diet in the late Middle Ages in England and across Europe was heavily influenced by fasting regulations. This talk looks at the impact in England before looking at how that changed through the 16th & 17th centuries. You enjoyed Mark's talk on Sheep's Cheese so much that he is invited back for more!

Mark is a food historian.

Time - 7.30pm Long Bennington Village Hall.

Wednesday 12 May 2027

BRANCH PICNIC AND VISIT TO COUGHTON COURT, WARWICKSHIRE. 

This notable15th century half-timbered house and gate tower has been home to the Throckmorton Family for more than 600 years. The family have recently reclaimed the property from the National Trust and it is truly a home once again. It is packed with family portraits, furniture and artefacts. The 25 acres of grounds contain some of the most beautiful gardens in the country.

Price - £85 per person includes coach fare, guided tour of the house, all-day access to house and gardens and a superb afternoon tea.

You can take a picnic or treat yourself to lunch in the nice cafe.

Departure time - to be advised.

We must have 20 people to make this trip viable.

Invite your friends and family, all are welcome.

Note * Historic House members have free entry but bring your card.

Book with Jean before the end of February. 

Cheques made out to J Townsend. BACS payments reference Picnic, see inside back cover. 

Saturday 5 June 2027

BRANCH FUNDRAISING COFFEE MORNING. 

Westborough Village Hall NG23 5HJ

This is a fun event, with time to chat over tea, coffee and excellent cake.

We will have a book stall, plant stall and the usual raffle.

The Mystery Bag stall was a great success (Thank you Glynis for the idea) and we will repeat it this year.

Would each member supply a mystery gift (well-sealed please). Jean has a few empty gift bags should you like one to fill. These sell for £2 so please make sure your gift is worth at least this amount. Any unsold gift bags are used as future raffle prizes.

We urgently need donations of plants, books and homemade cakes (bought ones if you are not a baker). We need volunteers to run the stalls and to help with the refreshments.

PLEASE support this event by contacting Jean with offers of help and contributions to the stalls.

Westborough Village Hall NG23 5HJ

Time 10.00am - 12.00 noon.

Saturday 26 June 2027

'LIVING THE HISTORY'

A talk by Elizabeth Chadwick.

Elizabeth is a million-selling historical novelist, possibly the best writer of historical fiction today. She will be speaking about her career writing medieval fiction and the delights and pitfalls of bringing the past to life for her readers.

Time - 7.30pm Long Bennington Village Hall.

Saturday 17th July 2027

The Mugaseth Memorial Lecture.

‘THE MIDDLEHAM JEWEL’

An illustrated talk by Professor Kate Giles.

The Middleham Jewel is a magnificent 15th Century gold pendant that was discovered by a metal detectorist near Middleham Castle North Yorkshire in 1985.

Kate will bring us the latest scientific thinking about the jewel and seek to identify the  owner who lost such an expensive and intriguing item. 

Kate is the Director of the Centre of Christianity and Culture at the University of York.

Time - 7.30pm Long Bennington Village Hall.

Price £10 per ticket including light refreshments. 

Tickets will be on sale in April from Niz Smith.

Cheques payable to Richard III Society Lincolnshire Branch or by BACS using reference Mugaseth.

Saturday 14 August 2027

Branch Fundraising Lecture.

‘THE CHEAPSIDE HOARD’

An illustrated talk by Jean Townsend. 

This beautiful and unique treasure trove of Elizabethan and Stuart jewellery was buried around 1640 below one of London’s busiest streets. The workmanship of the 500 pieces in the Hoard is truly exquisite.

Some of you will remember seeing the Cheapside Hoard exhibition at the old Museum of London in 2013.

7.30pm Long Bennington Village Hall.

Tickets £6. either by BACS to Niz Smith or on the door.

Price includes tea/coffee and cake.

Jean has worked hard in the past to obtain greater recognition for the Hoard and at last it is to have a permanent display in the new Museum of London in Spitalfields. 

Jean hopes to organise a group visit to see this amazing treasure if there is enough interest.

Thursday16th to Sunday 19th September 2027

A COACH TOUR TO SHROPSHIRE

Four days visiting amazing historical sites and enjoying beautiful scenery. 

We require 20 people to make this trip viable. Single rooms are likely to limited. Please register your interest with Jean asap.

Details to follow.

Saturday 25 September 2027

Branch AGM.

Time - 7.30pm

Long Bennington Village Hall