#RomanCircus20 Blog – Owen Hay

Today, we have some memories from volunteer Owen Hay of the Circus excavations.

“Having been a member of the Friends of CAT(FoCAT) for many years I was intrigued to see the initial excavations of the Circus when commenced in 2005 and returned again when the turning point was uncovered in 2007.

During this visit there was a request for volunteers to help with the excavation of the starting gates and as I had then retired, I was able to join the other volunteers, all FoCAT members I believe, when the excavation started in February 2007. (Photo 1)

Having no experience what-so-ever, I was a bit concerned as to what we were to do, but having been instructed as to what tools were required under the eye of Trust Archaeologist Lawrence Driver, we all quickly settled in and were soon enjoying a most interesting experience and were proud to be uncovering the only known Roman Circus in England. As well as the building materials we were very lucky to find a Roman coin, what was, perhaps, a Magistrates Ring and also a, not so old WW1 Royal Artillery button, history from a later era. (Photos 2, 3, & 4)

The following year the Roman Circus Mosaic , which had been made by various local school children was unveiled by Griff Rhys Jones near to Circular Road. (Photo 5)

In 2012, I was involved in helping to prepare the Army Education Centre (now Roman Circus House) for occupation by the Trust and this took a lot of work by many volunteers as its condition was not good. (Photos 6, 7 &  It was opened in 2013 by Boadicea who, presumably because of her age, forgot to bring her Chariot horses with her and had to rely on Trust members for help. (Photo 9)

The mosaic was moved to its current location and unveiled again in 2018. (Photos 10)

I am sure we are all grateful for the work the Trust puts into its projects.”

Many thanks for all of your help Owen!

#RomanCircus20 #Archaeology #Colchester