Promoting research into the life and times of Richard III since 1924
Patron: HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
As ever, I take pleasure in introducing this report for the year 2019/2020, demonstrating as it does that we continue to make progress. (To avoid confusion with the Annual Report which the Society now has to lodge with Companies House, we have retitled this as the Members’ Report.) Challenges remain of course, not least in ensuring that Richard III is given a fair hearing in the press and media. We have maintained our public profile, attending the Middleham, Tewkesbury and Bosworth festivals and, following a suggestion made at the 2018 AGM, we began a programme of erecting plaques at sites associated with King Richard. The first was unveiled at Bestwood Lodge. Further progress has been halted by the Covid19 pandemic, but additional sites are in the pipeline.
It remains pleasing to see that the Richard III and Yorkist History Trust continues to bring the Society credit, especially in the academic world, demonstrating our commitment to good quality historical scholarship. Knowing how much work was involved in the preparations, it was very pleasing to see the overwhelming support given by the membership for the change of status to a Company Limited by Guarantee. Once the initial teething problems are overcome, this will make the administration of the Society much easier for everyone, at every level. Once again, my thanks go to the chairman Dave Wells and the other members of the working party concerned for their long and, at times, arduous efforts, especially as they oversee the transfer from one status to another, developing the Articles of Association required by Companies House and a new set of Rules of governance to replace the now outdated Constitution.
This report provides a useful source of information about the Society and its achievements, reflecting the dedication and hard work of the many members who voluntarily give their services at all levels of the Society. I remain grateful for the commitment and enthusiasm of everyone who help to run the Society both nationally and locally. We remain a financially sound and confident organisation and we will continue to work tirelessly to further the rehabilitation of Richard III’s reputation.
Phil Stone — Chairman
You can download
the published 2019-2020 Annual Report and Financial Statements. Each year's Annual Report and Financial Statements is published with the September edition of the Ricardian Bulletin.