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.”
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.
Football fans at Colchester United v Oldham last Saturday showed their support for the Roman Circus appeal by donating £1084.
Fans were treated to the sight of a Roman charioteer parading around the edge of the pitch with this two horses. Professional film stuntman Andy Butcher donated his time to help the appeal make an impact with football fans.
He was joined by a band of volunteers with buckets collecting from the fans, together with the doughty Jess Jephcott in full Roman soldier costume.
The crowd was very supportive and many of them wished the volunteers well with the campaign.
On the day we were delighted to hear that football legend Terry Venables had given his support to the Roman Circus Appeal.
So, thank you to Colchester United for all the help and support. They’ve been featuring the Roman Circus appeal on their big screen at all their home matches this year. And thank you to the many people who gave on the day.
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.
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.
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