Roman Chariot Track appeal on target

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: SAVE BRITAIN'S ONLY ROMAN CHARIOT RACING TRACK APPEAL

The Save Britain’s only Roman Chariot Racing Track Appeal has reached its £200k target.

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.