Richard III memorial unveiled to crowds
HUNDREDS of people packed into Market Bosworth’s market place to witness the unveiling of a memorial marking the day in 2015 that the coffin bearing the remains of King Richard III stopped in the town.
The coffin had travelled from Bosworth Battlefield on its way to its final resting place in Leicester Cathedral on March 22 two years ago, stopping in the market place as an open air service was held in the historic town centre.
Another service was held this year, to dedicate a stone memorial set into the floor of the market place, created by artist Damian Witty.
Rector of Bosworth, the Rev Mark Poskitt, led the service in the square, attended by crowds of onlookers, civic guests, performers and battle re-enactors.
Among them were the mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Councillor Richard Allen, Bosworth MP David Tredinnick and Market Bosworth Parish Council chairman John Wasteney, who addressed the gathering.
There were songs from community choir Musical Village and children from St Peter’s CE Primary Academy in the town, who then lay white roses - the symbol of the house of York - on the new memorial stone.
Musicians played mediaeval instruments, Captain Mortimer and his Men marched and birds of prey from Hawkwise all added to the medieval merriment.
Bosworth Links, a commu- style nity archaeological project, promoted work planned for the summer and representatives of the county council run Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre sold Richard III souvenirs.