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.”

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.”

This Thursday evening (14th January) Colchester Archaeological Trust will be presenting its vision for the Roman Circus.

Actor Tony Gardner, star of BBC TV’s award-winning comedy Lead Balloon, will host the event in the Mayor’s Parlour at Colchester’s Town Hall. Guests will hear of the plans for the Roman Circus and donations will be encouraged.

Entry is by invitation only as space is limited. Please apply for an invitation to Isobel Merry, Head of Fundraising, on 0789 1234 274. Guests are invited to arrive from 7pm for 7.30pm.

Thanks to the generosity of the people of Colchester and further afield, £80,000 has been donated since the appeal was launched at the beginning of December. We have until 31 January 2010 to find the rest. It is hoped that donations made on the night will help fill the £120,000 gap.

Speakers at this special event will include guests from the world of archaeology, history and heritage including:

• Philip Crummy. Director of the Colchester Archaeological Trust
This is a special opportunity to discover the plans and ideas for Britain’s only known Roman Circus from the man who discovered the Roman circus.

• Sven Wombwell, ITV’s This Morning Garden designer will reveal his ideas for the design for the garden where the eight Roman Circus starting gates are located.

• Philip Wise, Heritage Manager at Colchester Museums

The Colchester Archaeological Trust has been given until the end of January 2010 by developers to buy the land containing the 8 starting gates of Britain’s only known Roman chariot racing circus. The gates lie within the front garden of the former garrison sergeants’ mess at the northern end of Abbey Field. This distinguished Victorian Grade 2 listed building is otherwise destined to become private housing, closing off public access to the most important section of this unique archaeological site.

The Save the Roman Circus Appeal is an initiative of destination Colchester, a community interest company, together with Colchester Archaeology Trust. The appeal is to raise funds to buy the Sergeants’ Mess building and the garden so it can be a celebration of our town’s unique Roman heritage, somewhere for people who live, work and visit Colchester to enjoy and learn about our historic past. The building will provide a new and highly appropriate home for the Colchester Archaeological Trust.

Working with local councils and county councils, the aim is to transform the majority of the circus site into an archaeological park. Where possible, earth mounds will be built to show its great size and provide a view not seen in Britain for at least 1,600 years.

The purpose of the fundraising evening is to inform, educate, entertain and encourage donations to save Colchester’s Roman Circus.

Upon the successful outcome of the Appeal we intend to honour donors’ names, in perpetuity, on plaques inside the refurbished Sergeants’ Mess.

Like many, we believe that ‘Roman Colchester’ including the Roman circus, the Roman walls, the Temple of Claudius, the Roman theatre and other sites, should become a national visitor attraction, giving the town a strong identity, bringing business into the centre and helping to revitalise Britain’s oldest recorded town.

We are most grateful to the Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Henry Spyvee, for the use of the Mayor’s Parlour.