The building of the new stumps of the starting-gates of the Roman circus is nearing completion, but there is still a lot to do in the surrounding garden (the garden of the former Sergeants’ Mess, next door to Roman Circus House). We need to clear, weed, rake, level and patch what is left of the lawn. Where this is not possible, we need to spread soil around to raise the ground-level and then rake and seed the areas of bare soil. In addition, we need to improve the two new earth banks which mark the site of the ends of the circus seating-stand: we will profile, rake and seed them with a mix of wildflowers. We also need to clear, tidy up and weed the semi-circular bank which forms the border of the garden.
In the weeks which follow the big garden clean-up, we plan to install the two glass screens which visitors will be able to look through to get an idea of what the starting-gates originally looked like. When these are installed, we will open the garden and starting-gates to the public.
The big garden clean-up is on Saturday 12th April; it will start at 9.00am and finish at 4.00pm. If you fancy the exercise and have a few hours to spare that day, then why not come and join us?! Also, if you have any suitable tools, perhaps you might like to bring them along – but, if not, we have some tools here that you can use.
If you decide to come and help, then it would help the site of the Roman circus a lot and we would be very grateful. But it would be great if you could also let us know in advance if you plan to join us on the day, so that we can make sure that we have enough tools. Please reply to Philip Crummy and the Colchester Archaeological Trust at Roman Circus House, by ‘phone or txt to 07436 273304 or by email to pc[at]catuk.org
The Trust hosted a very successful volunteer gardening day in the garden last year. As with last year, Trust director Philip will be in the garden all day and we will provide hot and cold drinks in Roman Circus House for volunteers on the day. Please see the sketch map showing where Roman Circus House is in ‘How to find us’ at the top of the home page of this web-site.
The image shows the garden of the former Sergeants’ Mess as it is now, with the new stumps of the circus starting-gates, and the new earth bank of one end of the seating-stand in the foreground.
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