Because of coronavirus our programme

will be under constant review

Library closed until further notice

Regrettably, and unfortunately inevitably given the current circumstances, the Society’s Library at Dolmynach House, Rhayader has had to close.  The reasons for this are, by now, all too well known as they have been repeated so often by many organisations in the past few weeks.  They are outlined below.  

The coronavirus epidemic is developing very rapidly so it is not possible to predict when the Library will reopen but be sure that when that happens you will be informed as we celebrate.

Programme changes So far:

Postponed: Meeting and Field Section walk,  March 27 and March 29

Postponed: Field Section Annual Lunch, April 5

Postponed: The Mortimers all-day conference, May 16

I am sure you have been keeping in touch with the rapidly developing situation and the risks that are entailed by spread of coronavirus infection.  It will therefore not come as a surprise that the meeting planned for March 27 and the Field Section walk March 29 have regrettably had to be postponed.

We are keeping the other meetings in our programme under review and will be making announcements shortly both by email to those whose addresses we have, and on this website.

You will note that we are speaking of “postponement” rather than “cancellation”.  We are hoping that meetings will be reinstated later when the time is appropriate.  You will appreciate in this period of changing circumstances and risks we cannot set any dates at this time.

We will keep you informed.

Meanwhile take care and stay safe,

…………………………………………………….

The following message was sent out by email to members regarding the Mortimer conference:

Dear Members,

We have been monitoring events regarding coronavirus and the possible impact on the joint Radnorshire Society/Mortimer History Society conference scheduled for 16th May. As you know circumstances are evolving rapidly and the events of the last two days mean that we now have to make decisions. Particularly in light of Sunday morning’s announcement that it is almost certain that in the next couple of weeks the Government will require all over-70s and vulnerable people to be isolated for probably up to three months.

Reluctantly, given how much people are looking forward to the conference and the amount of preparation work that has already been done, we have come to the conclusion that we need to cancel the scheduled date of 16th May 2020 and re-arrange it for 15th May 2021. The main aspects that we have taken into consideration are:

– the health and safety of our members and non-members who would wish to attend the conference;

– a requirement for over-70s and vulnerable people to be isolated would significantly reduce attendance; and possibly three of the speakers would not be able to attend;

– given the speed at which events are evolving there is an extremely strong likelihood that we would be required to cancel the conference anyway, so better to do so now (particularly for people who have already made arrangements for travel and accommodation);

– we would normally be starting now to heavily publicise and promote the conference. But that is clearly not appropriate in the current climate, further reducing the chances of holding a successful conference;

– given the existing commitments of both the Radnorshire Society and the Mortimer History Society later in the year, the most straight forward thing to do is to postpone the conference to 15th May 2021.

If you have already booked your place at the conference, your booking automatically remains in place for the new date. You can of course cancel your booking and obtain a refund if you wish to do so. A message will be sent out via TicketSource.

We are very sorry to disappoint people. Just this morning one of our members commented: ‘I’m sure we’ll get through this if we all put common sense, kindness and compassion first!’ We very much look forward to normal service resuming.