essex Society was lauched in Winchester, historic capital of Wessex on 26th October 1999, the 1100th Anniversary of King Alfred's death. The above photo is from the front page of the Hampshire Chronicle, reproduced with their kind permission. A brainstorming session brought forth a number of ideas for possible activities including, but not limited to, the following:-

Emblems of Wessex
The flag of Wessex is a gold wyvern (heraldic beast with the body of a dragon and the legs of an eagle) on a red field, as featured in our launch photo. This flag can also be seen on the Bayeux Tapestry.
 
A coat of arms was attributed to Wessex in the thirteenth century by the medieval heralds who later went on to become the College of Arms. It is described as Azure, a cross patonce between four martlets Or.
 
See below for copyright-free images of the flag and coat of arms, which can be used without permission.

Example activities:

• researching the history of the wyvern flag and establishing the rules for its use and that of other flags derived from it


• getting the flag(s) reproduced on merchandise (T-shirts are already available)


• having Wessex flags of all sizes made at bulk prices for sale to those interested


• getting the flag(s) flown, especially on public and quasi-public buildings

Regional anthem

At Wessex Society's instigation, the internationally acclaimed Gloucestershire composer Hayley Savage has composed an anthem for Wessex, with lyrics by Dorset dialect poet Devina Symes.

Patron saint of Wessex

Calling for the official recognition of St. Aldhelm as patron saint of Wessex.

Example activities:

• networking with sympathetic clergy


• supporting Aldhelm-related pilgrimages


• demanding St Aldhelm's Day (25 May) be made a public holiday

Commemorations

Opportunities exist on both a one-off and a continuing basis to commemorate events in Wessex history.

Example activities:

Dialect dictionary

A Wessex dialect dictionary was started in the early 80's, but ill-health forced the author to abandon the project. If other specialists could be involved to lend a hand it might be moved forward and a publisher found. Other dialect activities could include an annual poetry/prose competition.

Regional pride and anti-defamation

Example activities:

• challenging the 'wurzel'/'yokel' image of the west country


• promoting Wessex heroes and achievements


• encouraging the creation of Wessex sports teams and tournaments


• promoting/legitimising Wessex dialect


• challenging the perception that Wessex is a prosperous region without areas of disadvantage entitled to better treatment


• correcting the impression that nothing worthwhile occurred between Roman and Norman times and that the Conquest was good for England


• campaigning for the return of historic artefacts from Wessex now outside the region; campaigning against further losses, stressing in both cases the economic benefits to tourism

Regional audit

Example activities:

• resources of Wessex: could Wessex be self-sufficient at the regional scale?


• the Wessex economy: structural strengths and weaknesses


• social deprivation in Wessex


• 'Why Wessex?': evidence of awareness of Wessex as a regional identity

Europe of Regions

Example activities:

• Promoting Wessex as one of the cultural regions of Europe: to European institutions and to representatives of other regions


• acting as a resource on European information of benefit to others (CoBER get partly funded by Kerrier Groundwork Trust because of their knowledge of Europe and access to information on grant regimes, etc.)

Documentation Centre/Information Point

Example activities:

• library for members, comprising the more obscure magazines and pamphlets (especially those out-of-print) not readily obtainable through public library systems


• research towards a book on the history of the Wessex movement

Conference/Summer School

Southampton University ran the Wessex International Summer Schools, which provided opportunities for scholars to study aspects of the environment, history and culture of Wessex, though this refers to their own Wessex, limited to Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.

Organising a conference or summer school would be well beyond the resources of the WS in its early years, and even later could only be considered in association with a larger player such as Bristol or Southampton universities. Nonetheless, it is an idea to keep on file.

Walks in Wessex

Building upon the Great Wessex Walks of the early 1980's, the idea would be to promote themed long-distance walks throughout the region. The Great Wessex Walk was intended to be an annual event, from Windsor to the Tamar, by a different route each year. As well as east-west there is scope for north-south routes, such as one linking sites associated with St Aldhelm and one utilising the Somerset & Dorset railway from Bath to Bournemouth, and for circular routes around the central core of Wessex. There is already a King Alfred's Way linking sites associated with England's darling.

Social events

Example activities:

• St Aldhelm's Day dinner (is there a regional flower/vegetable to be worn on such occasions?; any regional produce or recipes to be served up?)


• summer picnic


• Christmas party (opportunities here too for WS Christmas cards depicting Wessex views)


• visits to museums, historic sites


• guest speakers


• Wessex knowledge quiz night (best combined with one of the above)
.

These are just some of the possible ideas for Wessex Society activities and campaigns. Members are encouraged to come up with their own ideas.

Membership is available for a minimum donation of £10/€16/$16(US) per annum. This includes 4 issues of our 12-page colour magazine, The Wessex Chronicle. Within the EU, write to the Treasurer, Jim Gunter at 5 Rickyard Cottages, Broad Hinton, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 9PS. In North America and the rest of the world, write to Nick Xylas, 7645 Garners Ferry Rd, Apt 1007H, Columbia, SC 29209-3828, USA. Cheques/PO's payable to 'Wessex Society'.

Wessex Society meets 4 times a year.
Meetings are informal and friendly, and
usually preceded by a pub lunch at which
members can socialise. Our next meeting is
on Saturday, 17th October 2009
at 1pm (pub lunch at noon) in the
Royal George, 17 Bedwin Street, Salisbury.