Website © Richard the Third Society, Lincolnshire Branch 2011
Please use the scroll bar to view all events and trips
Saturday 18 October 2025
LADY JANE GREY
An illustrated talk by Sally Henshaw.
Lady Jane is shown as a Saint and martyr in the Victorian painting by Paul Delaroche but there is more to her than the Victorian image suggests.
Jane, from Bradgate in Leicestershire, was executed in 1559, becoming known as the ‘Nine Days Queen’. She was the great granddaughter of Elizabeth Woodville, the Queen of Edward IV. Did her royal blood and ambitious relatives make her death inevitable?
Sally returns by popular request.
Long Bennington Village Hall
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Saturday 29 November 2025
CHRISTMAS VISIT TO BURTON CONSTABLE HALL
Burton Constable is one of the most fascinating English country houses to survive with its historic collection complete. It is a magnificent Elizabethan mansion with over 30 rooms full of interesting things.
It has been home to the Constable family for over 700 years and will be beautifully decorated for Christmas. It is the perfect place to get you into the festive spirit.
The house has a café and a well-
Take your own lunch or treat yourself to lunch in the popular café.
You will have free time to explore the house and grounds before a substantial festive afternoon tea. * So do not over indulge at lunch time. *
Price £69 includes coach fare, entry fee and a festive afternoon tea.
We must have 20 people to run at this price. More people and the price reduces.
Depart from The Royal Oak Long Bennington.
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URGENT -
Pay by BACS using reference BURTON. See inside back cover.
Friday 5 December 2025
BRANCH CHRISTMAS DINNER
By popular request we return to
The Royal Oak, 74 Main Rd, Long Bennington, NG23 5DJ.
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Price -
Menu Choice available from Jean.
Please book with Jean by the end of October including a deposit of £10.00 per person.
Please make cheques payable to Richard 3rd Society Lincolnshire Branch marked Christmas Dinner on the back or by BACS using reference CHRISTMAS. See inside back cover.
Saturday 31 January 2026
WINTER WARMER -
Pub lunch at Whittakers Bar and Restaurant, 96 Main Road Long Bennington NG23 5DJ.
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Menu available in the New Year. Please book with Jean by the end of December.
Friday 27 February 2026
OWN CARS VISIT TO ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH NEWARK.
Followed by lunch at one of Newark’s excellent eateries. Venue and price available in the New Year.
We will have a guided tour of the church, which underwent an intensive renovation project in 2025.
Coffee and tea will be served at the church on arrival.
The church of St Mary Magdalene is considered to be one of the finest parish churches in England. Its beautiful 14th century Lincolnshire limestone spire soars above the town.
Richard III, as Duke of Gloucester, visited the church in July 1476 when the body of his father Richard Duke of York lay here enroute to its reburial at Fotheringhay. Richard would have seen the medieval White Hart building in Newark market place and he stayed at Newark Castle during his visit.
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Friday 20 March 2026
A MYSTERY TRIP WTH LUNCH.
This venue was requested by a couple of people and Jean has pulled out all of the stops to get this booking.
You are going to love it so please support!
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. Friends and family are most welcome to join us.
* Please note -
Price -
Coach -
Please book with Jean by the end of January.
Saturday 28 March 2026
WHAT’S UP WITH EWE?
The Fascinating History of Sheep's Cheese.
An illustrated talk by Mark Dawson.
Richard III would certainly have eaten sheep's cheese. His near neighbours in Middleham, the Cistercian monks of Jervaulx are believed to have been the producers of the now famous Wensleydale cheese, which was made in the medieval period with sheep's milk.
This talk looks at a previously unexplored historical food.
Long Bennington Village Hall
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Saturday 25 April 2026
RICHARD III FROM VILLAIN TO HERO.
An illustrated talk by Eddie Smallwood.
Exploring Richard's reputation throughout his life and how he has been portrayed since his death.
Long Bennington Village Hall
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Saturday 16 May 2026
BRANCH FUND RAISING COFFEE MORNING.
Westborough Village Hall NG23 5HJ.
Please keep this date free and support this event.
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Last year's event was an enjoyable and successful morning so we have decided to repeat it.
We will have a book stall, a plant stall and of course, the usual raffle.
Last year Glynis very kindly supplied and ran a 'Mystery Bag' stall which was extremely successful. This year we would like each member to supply a gift bag containing a mystery prize. Bags are sold for £2.00. Please see Glynis if you need ideas and help.
We also urgently need donations of plants, books and homemade cakes (or bought ones if you are not a baker).
We need volunteers to help man the stalls and also to serve refreshments.
Please support this event by contacting Jean with your offers of help.
The proceeds from this event help us to cover the rising cost of speakers and venue hire.
Monday 1 June -
A NORTH YORKSHIRE KNEES-
This was requested by so many of you as the perfect trip for our 50th year, so please support it.
We will be based at the Best Western Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley.
We successfully used this hotel many years ago and it has just undergone a £2.2 million refurbishment.
The hotel was built in 1859 as a hydrotherapy centre using the pure water from local springs. It still boasts a state-
Craiglands sits in acres of grounds against the stunning backdrop of Ilkley Moor. All rooms are ensuite, the hotel has a lift and all rooms offer free WiFi, tea and/ coffee making facilities, television and complimentary toiletries.
We will have a Gala Dinner on the second night of our stay to celebrate our 50th anniversary. This will be held in a private room with a complimentary drink on arrival.
During our stay we will visit York, Middleham, Castle Bolton, Ripon and Markenfield Hall, a beautiful house that is privately owned.
Price -
The price includes coach, bed breakfast and 3 course evening meal (including the Gala dinner) all entry fees and a day ticket for the York tour bus.
This is amazing value and it has taken a lot of negotiating, so we must have 20 people to run at this price.
Please book with Jean NOW with a non-
Cheques payable to Jean Townsend marked Yorkshire on the back or by BACS using reference York. See inside back cover.
Balance must be paid by the end of March.
Depart from Westborough Lodge and Long Bennington.
Time to be advised.
Please see Jean if you require a parking place at Westborough Lodge.
Saturday 27 June 2026
INSIDE THE BURIAL VAULT OF EDWARD IV AND ELIZABETH WOODVILLE.
An illustrated talk by Dr Allan Barton F.S.A.
King Edward IV made provision in his will for a funerary monument that would have been the most complex and unusual memorial to any medieval English King.
This talk will examine the King's wishes and why they were not fulfilled, before exploring what was found inside the burial vault when it was opened in the 18th century.
Long Bennington Village Hall
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Saturday 4 July 2026
THE MUGASETH MEMORIAL LECTURE.
This year the lecture is dedicated to the memory of all the wonderful members we have loved and lost during the past 50 years. They will never be forgotten.
BRINGING BACK TIME TEAM -
An illustrated talk by Professor Carenza Lewis.
Carenza is a British archaeologist, academic and television presenter.
In 1993 she joined the team presenting the Time Team series, a new television programme designed to make archaeology accessible for the general public.
Time Team became a huge hit and is still fondly remembered by its huge fan base.
Carenza was educated at Girton College Cambridge and is now Professor for the Public Understanding of Research in the College of Arts at the University of Lincoln.
Long Bennington Village Hall
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Tickets will be on sale in April from Niz Smith.
Cheques payable to Richard 3rd Society Lincolnshire Branch or by BACS using event reference Time Team -
Saturday 18 July 2026
50 GLORIOUS YEARS!
A presentation by Derek Kerr celebrating 50 years of fun and friendship. This is a chance for us to share images, anecdotes and memories of our wonderful adventures together, including our visits to historic and Ricardian sites, our many banquets, feastings and sumptuous afternoon teas.
Long Bennington Village Hall.
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Saturday 15 August 2026
BRANCH FUNDRAISING LECTURE.
'Crooks, Creeps and Courtiers... Royal Servants from the 15th century to the present day.’
An illustrated talk by Jean Townsend.
From medieval monarchs to the present day, kings and queens have been waited on by armies of servants.
Many of these retainers were self-
They had strange names like Groom of the Stool, Gold Stick in Waiting and Page of the Back Stairs. This talk will explore their Ruritanian world and take a look at some of the notable personalities who have served the Crown.
Offers of help and home-
Long Bennington Village Hall
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Tickets £6.00 per person available from Niz Smith. Cheques made out to Richard 3rd Society Lincolnshire Branch or by BACS using event reference SERVANTS. See inside back cover.
Wednesday 9 September 2026
BRANCH PICNIC and visit to Irnham Church and Grimsthorpe Castle.
This is a requested visit so please support.
We will visit Irnham Church, a beautiful building to explore and see the facsimile of the renowned Luttrell Psalter. We will then go to Grimsthorpe Castle where we can have our picnic, or you can purchase a light lunch at the Castle refreshment stand. Plenty of covered seating is available. You will also have time to explore the gardens.
After lunch we will have a guided tour of the house followed by a guided tour of the estate using our own coach.
The estate tour takes in the 3000 acres of rolling pasture, landscaped lakes and historic woodland little changed for over 500 years. The interesting variety of wildlife includes 3 species of deer. We will also see the site of the 12th century Cistercian Abbey.
We will end the day with one of our usual scrumptious afternoon teas.
Depart from The Royal Oak Long Bennington
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Price includes coach, guided tours and afternoon tea.
BOOK WITH JEAN BEFORE THE END OF JUNE.
Cheques made out to J Townsend and marked Picnic on the back. BACS payments please use event reference PICNIC -
Saturday 19 September 2026
BRANCH CELEBRATION BANQUET at The Angel and Royal, Grantham.
Good food will be served to us in a 'Medieval' manner. Music will be played by the Lincoln Waites and a jester will also help to keep things going!
We love to look the part, so Jean has a few simple medieval costumes that members can borrow if they wish to dress up, but this is not obligatory.
Book early with Jean by the end of October 2025 stating any dietary requirements. We hope to negotiate a special discounted B&B rate for members who wish to stay overnight.
Saturday 26 September 2026
BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Long Bennington Village Hall
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BRANCH 50th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMME 2025 – 2026
We are very much indebted to our Jean Townsend, Branch Secretary, for the hard work she has put into this programme of events to celebrate our 50 years as a successful Branch.
Members are asked to book early, using the slips provided and to pay by the dates specified. This is normally 1 month in advance for lectures and day trips and 2 months for overnight trips. Please write the event reference on the back of your cheque.
If you are paying by BACS, please include the Event Reference followed by the first three letters of your Surname. Further payment information can be found on the back cover of this programme.
Bookings should be made using a properly completed booking slip. (Download here)
Booking on time is important, as Jean needs to know if trips will run before sending a group deposit.
Richard Wheeldon -
TIME OF MEETINGS: All meetings begin at 7.30 pm.
VENUE: Long Bennington St James’ Village Hall, Main Road, Long Bennington, NEWARK, NG23 5DJ
School History Prize
Each year the Branch awards a substantial cash prize to be spent on learning materials, together with a prize to a pupil presenting the best school project about King Richard III.
A book will also be awarded as an addition to the school library. Members are asked to nominate a school for consideration. Please send your ideas to Jean Townsend.
50th Anniversary Year