Some Coming Local History Events

A reminder that we have no January meeting, but suggest Members might like to join :

• Glemsford History Society for '300 Years of Silk Weaving' on Thursday 8th January, 7.30pm
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• Liz Trenow, local author of 'The Last Telegram' will be speaking about the history of her Sudbury family business, Stephen Walters. 
• Meeting at Glemsford Primary school (opp Black Lion) Visitors £2.
  
• Cavendish History Society for 'A Suffolk Background to Magna Carta' - the Secret meeting at Bury. in the Memorial Hall, Cavendish, Tuesday 27th January, 7.30pm

Also, in June this year for the 2015 anniversary of Magna Carta:

• Clare Historical and Archaeological Society will be holding a Magna Carta Festival in Clare :
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• Clare will be celebrating the the vital role played by the two Clare Barons; Richard and Gilbert de Clare in the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. The Festival will commemorate Clare's important role in the creation of Magna Carta through a series of events which will be held in June 2015 including a medieval banquet, a festival in the Country Park with medieval enactments, 13th century arts and crafts, a children's procession and much more.
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• An outline of the full programme for the Magna Carta Festival is set out below. The major events being planned include:
• Saturday 25 April 2015 The Magna Carta walk
  A newly signposted walk between Clare and Castle Hedingham, linking the towns of the barons Richard and Gilbert de Clare, Earls of Hertford and Gloucester, and Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford.
  
• Saturday 16th May at 7.30 - The Magna Carta Concert
  The Society for Music in Clare Church (SMICC) will host a concert by The Renaissance Singers. They will be performing 900 years of sacred music, composed in the fifteenth year of each century from the 13th to the 21st century (1215, 1315 etc.).
  
• Saturday, 6 June 2015 - Study Day‘Magna Carta, the de Clares and Clare Castle', a study day with 7 illustrated talks about the two De Clares, important rebel barons who forced King John to agree to Magna Carta. The eminent speakers include Paul R Davis (author of Three Chevrons Red), Jennifer Ward recent editor of Elizabeth de Burgh's estate records, and Carenza Lewis leader of the 2013 Clare Castle archaeological excavations.
  
• Wednesday 10 June 2015 - Tastes of 1215An evening of music, drama, comedy and food with a programme created and presented by local choirs, actors and students. This will provide an interactive experience with the mummers mingling with the audience, gossiping about events of the time and perhaps teaching some dancing, juggling etc. During the interval, tasty morsels of food prepared from 13th century recipes will be served, accompanied by a complimentary glass of mead.
  
• Friday 12 June 2015 - Mediaeval BanquetA costumed event presented in a hall dressed in contemporary style. The food to be served will be created from ingredients and recipes available in the 13th Century with a menu containing translations and explanations. Minstrels will play from both the balcony and the floor, and we are also planning a performance of the earliest known play while diners are still at table.
  
• Saturday 13 June 2015 - The processionTo kick off the Festival events on 13th June 2015, there will be a procession around the centre of Clare, leading to the main stage in Clare Castle Country Park. This will include invited dignitaries, the local and neighbouring villages' schools carrying their own specially designed banners, the contestants for the best medieval costumes, and the townspeople. At the end of the procession, a representative of the townspeople will present to the High Sheriff of Suffolk, the 'Liberties of Clare', Clare's very own, but very up-to-date Magna Carta.
  
• 13 June 2015 - Events in the Country ParkBoth the inner and outer baileys of Clare Castle Country Park will provide the backdrops for an afternoon of festivities. After the official opening, visitors will be able to enjoy marquees displaying 13th Century arts and crafts, a mediaeval re-enactment group will provide costumed entertainment and military displays, while food and drink will be available at various places including a hog roast, beer tent and tea tent.
  
  Games are being arranged for both adults and children, designed with a 13th Century twist – hobby-horse racing, Colf, Beat the Dragon, Bowling for a Pig etc.
  
  Local organisations are being invited to run stalls to raise funds for their own groups and these will include herb and plant sales, raffles and draws. Further information from Keith Haisman Email: Keithhaisman@me.com Tel: +44 1787 279182 Mobile: +44 7990 612157

with best wishes for 2015,
Clare Mathieson