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Thanks to everyone who came on the two tours of Sandal Castle last Saturday. Despite the blustery weather, the event was a real success and as ever, we thank everyone for the very positive feedback received on the day. Our next talk for WMDC will be on Sunday 29th November at Pontefract Castle, commencing at 2.00pm, and will be titled ‘The Three Sieges of Pontefract Castle’. Tickets are available fro the castle itself. We hope to see you there.

Saturday 12th Sept is the start of Wakefield heritage week and we will be delivering two tours of Sandal Castle – at 11.00am and 1.30pm – covering the development of the castle since its inception along with key events in it’s history, especially the Battle of Wakefield and all the various theories and interpretations of this event. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there.

We are looking forward to welcoming the Northern Dales branch of the Richard III Society to Pontefract Castle on Thursday20th August for a tour and talk on the history of the castle itself. Following this event we have further talks and tours planned as follows;

Sept 12th – Two tours of Sandal Castle to look at the history of the castle and the Battle of Wakefield, including recent research, which will tie in with WMDC Heritage week. Tickets are free and available from Pontefract Castle.

Sept 29th – Talk at Walton Library Wakefield, 7.30pm start titled ‘Friends and Enemies – A History of Pontefract and Sandal Castles 1070-1650. Tickets available on the door..

Nov 29th – Talk at Pontefract Castle Visitor Centre commencing at 2.00pm titled ‘The Three Sieges of Pontefract Castle’ when we will rejoined by Civil War historian David Cooke. Tickets available from the castle and are £3 each which goes to the upkeep of the castle.

It was a pleasure to deliver a talk to Towton Battlefield Society this evening on ‘Henry IV and Pontefract Castle’. Thanks to Alex and everyone for inviting us to do the talk and thanks to everyone for the positive comments at its conclusion. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you to everyone who came to our talk on the above today – this was the biggest turnout we have had so far, and it is very much appreciated. I hope everyone enjoyed the presentation and it was great to have so much interaction in the q&a that followed. Our next event is on Saturday 12th September at Sandal Castle, when we will be undertaking two tours on that day, covering the history of the castle and the Battle of Wakefield, to incorporate some of the new theories around this event. Places are free and can be booked via Pontefract Castle. We look forward to seeing you then.