On Sunday 2nd July, 34 members from the Retford and District Historical and Archaeological Society met at Kettlewells to board a coach for their annual day trip, which this year was a visit to Leicester. We were met by two Blue Badge Guides who took us on a guided walk which lasted for two hours, it covered the principal medieval sites which related to the time King Richard III spent in Leicester.
After lunch, members had free time to visit sites of interest to themselves. Most visited the beautiful Cathedral which has the tomb of King Richard III and the most wonderful stained-glass windows which tell of his journey and memorable events in Leicester, The Jewry Wall Museum with its original Roman work, The Guildhall — a fine example of medieval timber framed building, and Newarke Houses Museum and Gardens. We left Leicester at 5.00pm and travelled to the village of Cossington for our WI tea which was most welcome, before arriving home at 8.00pm.
The society’s new lecture programme for 2017-2018 starts on Wednesday 13th September at 7.30pm at Chapelgate Hall, situated behind Grove Street Methodist Church. The speaker on the night is Harry Foxley and his subject will be Retford’s Crimea Volunteers. Annual membership of the society costs £8 for adults and £1 for students and visitors pay £2 per meeting. New members are always welcome, or come and visit us and try us out. For further information call Janet Gamble on 01777 248297 or email janetgamble95@gmail.com.