Retinue Sponsors

As a ‘not for profit’ Retinue we have been incredibly lucky in attracting funding and support from national and local bodies.

When the dozen or so members of the newly formed Retinue sat down to discuss our ‘wish list’ in November 1998, we had no idea just how much we and the Retinue would achieve, to the benefit of Lincolnshire, tourism, Living History and ourselves!

Every site we have performed at since 1998 (with few exceptions) has also benefited from the sponsorship we have gratefully received; the addition of decent tents, proper cooking equipment, colourful banners and heraldry, loan clothing and equipment, have all brought venues to vibrant life; like Ayscoughfee Hall, Semperingham Abbey, Lincoln Cathedral, The Bishops Old Palace, Lincoln Castle, Gainsborough Old Hall and outside the county at Tamworth Castle and Barley Hall in York, to name but a few.

This page is intended to say a big thank you to all the bodies and individuals who have funded our (often strange) requests for new equipment since 1998 – Thank you!

Awards for All  In 1998-99 we put together a seemingly impossible 'dream-sheet' of equipment we knew we needed to properly start the Retinue off, to the tune of £4,500.00.

This 'list' was very straight forward with no frippery or wasteful wishes, everything on the list was needed to fulfill functions, some as basic as sitting and simple cookery.

Aided by Heritage Lincolnshire we submitted our application and to our delight were awarded the whole sum! We attended an award ceremony at Nottingham with the Minister of State for Heritage and ordered everything.

The Retinue would, quite simply, not be here today if it were not for the Awards for All scheme from the National Lottery, and the thanks of all past and current members go to them and to you, because, after all, its your money we have used to bring the England of the Wars of The Roses back to life for you.

 http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/

LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL  Over the years LCC have been a constant supporter of the Retinue, and we must say a special thank you to Councillor Graham Wheat for his encouragement and personal interest.  Since 1998 LCC have allowed us grants to refurbish a trailer (which we have since sadly grown out of), buy a purpose designed kitchen tent, authentic clothing and shoes for new members to loan and the visitor to try on, and a new table top for the kitchen and special, decorated table legs for our top table displays. 

WEST LINDSEY DISTRICT COUNCIL   Based in Gainsborough, WLDC kindly sponsored the purchase of new pottery, pewter, glass wares and wood wares, overlooked in our initial lottery bid of 1998.

LINCOLN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY  As the Retinue grew we needed more livery ‘loosecoats’ for our new male members, the Co-Op made the purchase and making up of a dozen such colourful coats a reality.

KEVIN MANVELL  The Retinue Webmaster and all round good egg! Kevin maintains the site for us, keeps it fresh and updates the news for you. As a member and Committee Member AND Officer, Kev has his finger on the Retinue's pulse and will be adding in even more interesting and some funny things for your information, entertainment and serious research. If you have any suggestions about what you would like us to put on for you, email Kev and we will see what we can do.

Kevin took over the site from Andy Wash who, since 2000 had put us on the website map, our sincere thanks go to Andy for his time and support - thanks mate

  kevin.manvell2@btinternet.com

The first use of our new kitchen tent at Ayscoughfee Hall 2003. The tent was provided for us by the sponsorship of Lincolnshire County Council.

The major sponsors above, must be joined by many individuals, and members of the Retinue who have themselves funded badly needed equipment as we have gone along.  Also our thanks must go to our suppliers who have been so generous to Lord Burghs Retinue – we thank you!

We still need funds to finish off the job we have started.  If you would like to help the Retinue acquire our last major items on the ‘wish list’ then we would be very happy to talk to you.