Come to our half-term events

We have arranged several events for all the family in Colchester during next week’s half term break. Do come along and have fun learning more about the town’s Roman history.

The Romans are coming!

Two members of Portals to the Past, who run popular history workshops for schools throughout the region will be appearing at Colchester library.

Come and join Vulpus the Barbarian, Roman gladiator and Marcus Flavius Facillus, Roman centurion, as they bring history alive.  Explore their world and listen to their stories about the Roman conquest, Boudicca’s revolt and Roman chariot racing.

Tuesday 16th February 10.00am to 12.00pm free at the library.  Donations to the appeal will be gratefully accepted.

The Roman Mysteries with Caroline Lawrence

A multimedia show from Caroline Lawrence, the children’s author of the hugely successful Roman Mysteries books and television series.

Caroline will give a fascinating insight into a day at a Roman Circus, describing the sights, sounds and emotions of a day at the chariot races. She will also be screening an excerpt from the CBBC series The Roman Mysteries, and Millie Binks, who played the character of Pulchra will also be appearing.

Friday 19th February 2.00pm.  Tickets are £6 each and include a free signed Roman Mysteries book.  Most suitable for children aged 7 and up.  Tickets available from The Arts Centre Colchester www.colchesterartscentre.com or 01206 500900

Secret Circus Treasure Trail

Join firstsite to discover the secrets of the Roman Circus by following a tremendous treasure trail through Colchester town centre.

This event features a fabulous trail devised by artist Jevan Watkins Jones which allows families to interact with some of the unusual history or stories from the past.

Saturday 20th February, drop into firstsite any time between 11.00am – 1.00pm  and 2.00pm – 4.00pm.  This is a free event.  Donations to the appeal will be gratefully accepted.

Next week also sees architectural historian Dan Cruickshank’s lunch in Dedham and lecture in Colchester on 16 February, and a fundraising collection (for which we still need volunteers) at Colchester United’s football ground on 20 February from 1 – 5.30pm.

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Welcome One Show viewers!

The One Show

Thanks for finding the Save Colchester Roman Circus appeal on the web. We hope you enjoyed our coverage on The One Show just now on BBC1.

If you’re curious about how you can help us, here are four easy ways:

* make a secure online donation via Charity Choice, which does not charge commission

* sign up for our email newsletter

* join our Facebook group

* follow us on Twitter

If you’ve got any great ideas to fundraise for us, do let us know. We should have our Justgiving account live next week so you’ll be able to set up a fundraising page there.

If you liked what you saw about the appeal, why not discuss it on The One Show blog?

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Appeal achieves national coverage

Joe Crowley interviews Philip Crummy

We’ve always believed that, while the Circus is important to Colchester, it is a site of national and indeed international significance. So we’re really pleased that our efforts to secure national media coverage have now proved successful.

In the last 24 hours the appeal has been featured in or on:

It will also feature tomorrow (Wednesday) on BBC’s The One Show, the prime-time show on BBC1. The team came up to interview Philip Crummy, Director of Colchester Archaeological Trust, this afternoon and to film the site of the Circus.

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Colchester Borough Council offers £30,000 in matched funding

Colchester Council’s Cabinet today confirmed its support for the campaign by pledging up to £30,000 to the appeal. It will do so provided the public appeal raises £170,000. This wonderful news means that our target is reduced, providing we can still raise the final £40,000 this month.

The Council has already made a donation of £5,000 to the campaign which has been matched by Colchester 2020. Additionally some individual Councillors and groups have also donated privately.

Speaking on behalf of the Cabinet, Deputy Leader Martin Hunt said: “We wish to make it absolutely clear that we are fully committed to securing and preserving as much of the Roman Circus site as possible and we hope this contribution will secure the ownership of the starting gates which are a vital part of the site.”

Cllr Lyn Barton, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Sustainability and Environmental, added: “The Public Appeal is going from strength to strength and I am delighted that we have been able to make a further contribution. We are totally committed to this project and feel it is vital to preserve the starting gates site at all costs.”

So, please help us to unlock this £30,000 and make a donation today. Thank you.

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Join us on Saturday morning to hear good news

Colchester Borough Council will be making a major announcement about the fundraising appeal this morning outside the Sergeants’ Mess. You are most welcome to come along and hear it, and show your support for the campaign.

Press and media should be there, so come and help us show how many people want to see this appeal succeed.

No, it’s not an announcement that we’ve reached our target (I wish!), but it is good news.

Try and get to the Sergeants’ Mess for 11.15am (on Saturday 6 February) as the photo call is scheduled for 11.30. All are welcome!

Entrance to the site is a little tricky, given there is a building site nearby, but you should be able to spot the group (or crowd!) there when you arrive. Do note that the ground is usually pretty muddy!

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