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Phase
1 of the campaign to raise £200,000 to Save Britain’s only Roman
Chariot Horse Racing Track has been reached. Donations have come
primarily from individuals in Colchester, where the Roman Circus lies
hidden, and from people worldwide inspired by the discovery of biggest
Roman archaeological monument found in
Britain
and
Northern Europe
. Over 2000 people are following the story on Facebook. A
pledge promise of £30,000 by Colchester Borough Council was triggered
when the appeal reached £170,000 – making the total £200,000.
School
children dressed as Romans for a day, 90 year olds donated Golden
Wedding Anniversary gift money, celebrities became patrons, families and
MP’s walked the Roman streets of Colchester, and Colchester United
fans were stunned when a chariot and two horses raced around the car
park ahead of the match v Oldham – all to raise funds to Save
Colchester’s Roman Circus and protect the site as a heritage centre.
Many
and varied fundraising events took place: TV historian
Dan Cruickshank
had lunch with Roman Heritage enthusiasts, author
Caroline Lawrence
dressed as a Roman and entertained parents and young people about life
as a Roman, Phill Jupitus said he’d be a patron if it helped and rock
musicians Robbie Gladwell with his band from Cockney Rebel played to a
crowd of revellers dining on Roman delicacies.
Enthusiasts from Circus Maximus in
Rome
have sent their support to the Appeal inviting Charioteers from
Britain
’s Roman Circus to enter a team into a Roman Chariot
‘Biga’ racing event they hope to organise in
Rome
in their Roman Circus.
“We
are overwhelmed by the response to the appeal to Save Britain’s only
Roman Circus” says Wendy Bailey, a member of the Appeal Team and Chair
of Destination Colchester “people from all over the
UK
and the world have sent money and good will messages – via FaceBook,
Twitter and through the website www.romancircus.org
“This
puts us in a very strong position to complete the financial package now
required to purchase the site of the eight Roman starting gates which
lie beneath the garden of the Victorian Sergeants’ Mess” says Peter
Herring, project manager for the site managed by Colchester
Archaeological Trust. The Sergeants’ Mess – itself
a listed building – is what fundraisers hope to turn into a Heritage
and interpretation centre for the Roman Circus.
The
Appeal to Save the Roman Circus will stay open and ongoing as news of
the historic find and it’s future gains supporters and donations from
around the world. |