Committee Meeting - 24th February 2023
Despite the relatively quiet period for battlefield-related activities, our first Committee meeting of the year was a busy one as we endeavoured to set out our priorities for 2023. High on the agenda was the banner project – a signature output for the Society and one that has grown steadily in profile and the amount of supporting activity required as we approach the 200 banner threshold. Having set out a policy for banner allocation to maintain our focus on the centre of the Town while trying to meet the appetite of those living further out to participate, we’re now looking at how to make the process of hanging and removing banners more straightforward. In particular, a coordinator for the hanging and removing process is needed, who need not be involved in the banner creation or, indeed, know much about them. Our other major endeavour, of course, is the Medieval Festival where we sponsor the exhibition tent. For 2023, we have secured a larger marquee, allowing more space for exhibitors, and we are now in the process of inviting bids for participation, as well as pursuing funding to mitigate the cost. We’re also exploring obtaining a card reader to make taking payment for banner rentals and sales at the Festival more straightforward for those with less medieval approaches to money!
The start of the year marks the build up to our Anniversary walk, brought forward this year to 30 April this year to avoid a clash with the Coronation. Our monthly walks, with occasional additions to cater for one-off groups, continue to be popular. The Coronation has also meant that we’ve had to postpone our proposed conference again, and we are now exploring combining the event with the conference for fellow societies being hosted by the Battlefields Trust.
Our project to erect a statue to Margaret of Anjou in the grounds of the Abbey continues, with work currently focussed on negotiating the planning process, during which work on the construction has been temporarily halted until we are sure we have a place to put it. On the other side of the planning coin, we have had to resist approaches to involve us more formally in archaeological oversight of works within the bounds of the registered battlefield. Although tempting to get stuck into this very tangible element of battlefield preservation, we’re acutely conscious that we do not have the professional knowledge, skills or experience to discharge what is a formal responsibility on behalf of the planning authorities; nor should we be put in a position of needing to fund someone to carry out that work. Nevertheless, we remain keen to provide input wherever relevant in line with our primary objectives of preservation and education.
So, a busy start to the year, with lots on the horizon. If any of our local members would like to play a more active role in supporting us, we’d be delighted to hear from you.