The
Society
Future
Strategy
The last time the Society published a
comprehensive outline of its future plans was in 2002 when we were
focusing on the fiftieth anniversary of the refounding of the Society in
1956. It is time, therefore, for a new outline and to look ahead to
2014, when we will celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the original
founding of the Society by Saxon Barton in 1924.
The past eight years have seen a
lot of changes, but the need remains to evolve and develop further to
maintain both our relevance and our impact in the twenty-first century.
Overall the Society is in good shape, but we cannot afford to be
complacent and must continue exploring new initiatives.
In its Annual Report, the
Society outlines some of its future plans which are then reinforced and
expanded by the Chairman in his address to the Annual General Meeting in
October. This strategy statement will be updated annually following the
AGM.
Currently, the key elements of
our forward strategy are:
-
To
undertake a comprehensive review of our website, looking at its
content, format and accessibility. We will also expand our internet
presence, doing this by exploring the use of social networking sites
such as Facebook.
-
To
continue watching out for and taking up media opportunities that
offer the chance to make the positive case for King Richard. Media
interest in the Society is increasing all the time and we continue
to be approached by programme makers seeking our help. In prospect
there are a possible television series on Richard III and a proposal
for a film version of Sharon Penman’s novel The Sunne in
Splendour. The Society looks forward to positively engaging in both.
-
To
continue supporting the Richard III and Yorkist History Trust’s
on-going programme of publications, at the same time encouraging the
publication of the Proceedings of the 2005 Cambridge Triennial, the
Education Pack, the updated ‘History of the Society’ and a
revised ‘Ricardian Britain’.
-
To
continue to have a presence at the prestigious Leeds Mediaeval
Congress – an event which attracts nearly 1500 academics from
universities all over the world.
-
To
build on the success of the Wills Project by maintaining the
Society’s research programme and developing new projects that
allow participation by members.
-
2011/12
will be the 550th anniversary of the birth of John de la Pole,
Richard’s heir presumptive. We plan to have a number of events
focusing on the de la Poles, which will include a study day, a
series of articles in the Bulletin and, it is to be hoped, a plaque
commemorating John and his brothers near to the tomb of their
parents in Wingfield Church. They kept the Yorkist opposition to the
Tudors alive right up until 1525.
-
The
next Triennial conference will be held in 2012, and will focus on
the new interpretations of the Battle of Bosworth following the
recent extensive archaeological survey undertaken across the
battlefield area. The conference will be held at a location near to
the battlefield.
-
2014
will see the ninetieth anniversary of the founding of the Society
and we will plan a programme of events to commemorate this
milestone.
In addition to the eight points
above, the Society will continue to keep a close eye on three key areas:
our finances, our membership base and our internet presence. We have
many achievements to our credit, and we will continue to work hard to
promote research into the late fifteenth century and to encourage the
rehabilitation of Richard III.
Phil Stone, Chairman, and John
Saunders, Strategy, for the Richard III Society, 2010
back