1st March 2010 by Howard Lake
The campaign to raise £200,000 to save Britain’s only Roman chariot horse racing track has been reached, in time for the extended deadline of 28 February.
Donations have come primarily from individuals in Colchester, together with businesses and other organisations, and from people around the world who had been inspired by the discovery of the biggest Roman archaeological monument found in Britain and Northern Europe. Over 2,300 people are following the story on Facebook.
A pledge of £30,000 by Colchester Borough Council was triggered when the appeal reached £170,000, making the total £200,000.
The appeal succeeded despite a zero budget and the fact that it was entirely volunteer led. The only costs to Colchester Archeaological Trust were in terms of their staff time and guidance, for which the appeal team are most grateful.
The appeal has even been contacted by enthusiasts from Circus Maximus in Rome, 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 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”.
“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” said Peter Herring, project manager for the site managed by Colchester Archaeological Trust.
The Save the Roman Circus Appeal will stay open and ongoing as news of the historic find and its future gains supporters and donations from around the world.
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27th February 2010 by Howard Lake
Please come and join us for a celebratory photocall this afternoon, Saturday 27 February, at 2pm. We’ve invited local newspapers, radio and TV to come and film the Roman Circus appeal supporters (that’s you, and lots of people like you!).
We’ll meet at the former Sergeants Mess building for about 30 minutes. Please wear wellies! It is very muddy.
To make sure that all our supporters in the local media have an equal chance to report the formal announcement of the result of the Appeal it will be embargoed until the morning of Monday 1 March, so we can’t give you the details yet. But we expect to have some very good news!
We are inviting as many people as possible who have helped us with the Appeal including politicians, journalists, donors, organisers, schools and members of supporting organisations. It is not our intention to leave anyone out so please pass on this invitation to anyone who we might have left off the list (and also to your friends!)
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26th February 2010 by Howard Lake
Football legend Terry Venables has expressed his support for the Colchester Roman Circus appeal.
He told us: “I think it’s really important to preserve this country’s history. This is the only chariot racing circus ever found in this country, and in Roman times chariot racing was as popular as football is today. So as an ex professional footballer, and football manager it seems fitting to support Colchester in saving the Roman Circus.”
Tags: celebrity
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26th February 2010 by Howard Lake
Elizabeth Cannon Antiques in Crouch Street, Colchester, has this morning handed over £1000 to the appeal. Mrs Cannon raised it in just nine days through the sale of some fine small glasses.
She created an attractive window display complete with a model of a Roman chariot and with a backdrop of two 200-year-old paintings of Colchester, and a poster indicating that all sales were being donated to the appeal.
On handing over the donation this morning, Mrs Cannon was keen to thank all the people who had come in to the shop to buy the items. A Colcestrian herself, and the daughter of a former Mayor of Colchester, she said she was delighted with the warm comments that she had received from shoppers about the Roman Circus and the efforts to ensure it was saved for all to view and enjoy.
Isobel Merry (l) and Elizabeth Cannon (r) with the display raising funds for the Roman Circus appeal
In fact, she will have raised over £1,000 for the appeal as two shoppers made additional donations under Gift Aid, and there are still more glasses for sale.
Tags: corporate, donation
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24th February 2010 by Howard Lake
Thank you to Witham-based print company Printwize which has pledged £1,000 towards the appeal.
They will also donate £1 for every print quotation they receive from local companies who quote “Roman Circus” from now until 30 April 2010. Contact sales@printwize.co.uk or 01376 500900.
Tags: corporate
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23rd February 2010 by Howard Lake
As of yesterday the total raised and pledged for the appeal stood at £161,000. That meant we had just £9,000 to go before we reached £170,000, the figure at which Colchester Borough Council said they will step in and grant £30,000 to get us to the original £200,000 target.
So, £9,000 in five days. Can we do it? Thank you to everyone who has given already. We’re hoping that enough people will now chose to come forward and make a gift to get us to the target.
Tags: total
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22nd February 2010 by Howard Lake
Based in the newly-converted Stables right next to the Sergeants’ Mess and site of the Roman Circus, Rock IT Group has offered to do its bit for the appeal. The company will be donating 10% of their margin on all new websites, support contract, equipment sales, and web hosting sales that they make between now and the end of February to the campaign.
Tags: corporate
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22nd February 2010 by Howard Lake
Author Barbara Erskine recently agreed to become a patron of the appeal.
She has spoken exclusively to the appeal to share her thoughts on the Colchester Roman Circus and why she believes it is important.
“When we first moved to the Colchester area someone told me that if you looked down the hole when men were digging up the road you would see the blackened layer which marks the burning of Colchester by Boudicca in AD61. Ever since I have walked round peering down every hole I see! History is there, everywhere, beneath our feet in this town and every time someone puts in a spade, more history emerges – usually briefly, to be quickly hidden beneath yet more development. We have to move forwards, of course we do, but from time to time the chance occurs to preserve some of that history and allow us to see it and to keep it safe, to let our imaginations have free rein.
“A Roman circus! Horses, chariots, thousands of spectators. Imagine the ghosts there must be there! The sound of voices cheering, the thunder of hoof beats, the rattle of wheels, the chink of harness. And behind the scenes, heroes, celebrities, wags, bookies; fortunes made and lost. Hopes and fears, dreams and nightmares.
“We have this once in a life time chance to capture those dreams and echoes and to save this unique place. And we have the chance to create a new centre where Colchester can celebrate its amazing history. Somewhere not just for us but for our children and our children’s children, so they can hear again the cheers and feel the excitement, and see the activities of the town celebrated with a display they can be proud of, and an attraction which draws visitors from all over the world.
“Imagine how awful it would be to have to admit that we failed. That we weren’t interested. That we didn’t care. We can’t let that happen. Can we.”
Tags: barbara erskine, celebrity, patrons
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22nd February 2010 by Howard Lake
Author Caroline Lawrence and actress Millie Binks gave a fascinating presentation on Friday at Colchester Arts Centre about life in Roman Britain. The half-term event proved popular with children and families from Colchester and further afield, all of whom enjoyed a free book from The Roman Mysteries series. The event has raised hundreds of pounds and brought us even closer to our target, as we enter the final week of the event.
Thank you to Colchester Arts Centre, and to Millie and to Caroline for giving up their time. Caroline is a patron of the appeal, and has worked incredibly hard using her contacts and her Twitter account to promote the Roman Circus appeal.
Caroline has already received some very positive feedback from members of the Colchester audience on her fanmail page.
Tags: caroline lawrence, event, roman mysteries
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