On Saturday 10th September, Signals Media will be launching their Colchester Roman circus App in the garden of the former Sergeants’ Mess, here at the Roman circus centre. Signals Media have generously produced the App for use by visitors to the Roman circus centre, and it has been created by local young people during a series of open workshops at Signals Media Arts Centre in Colchester. The App will be free to download from online App outlets and available for both iOS and Android devices. It includes three unique audio stories exploring how the circus affected the lives of the people of Roman Colchester, from a poor stable-boy to a wealthy high-status woman.
On the 18th August, Signals Media held open workshops here at the circus centre for young people on ‘Raspberry Pi’s (a type of mini computer) and on robotics. Today (30th August), Trust director Philip gave another Signals workshop a guided tour of the Roman circus site and centre.
Signals Media have issued a press release for the launch event: ‘… Signals Media Arts Centre is delighted to announce a celebration to launch the new Colchester Roman circus App and the première of ‘Dig Deeper’, a short animated film made by local young people. On Saturday 10th September, Signals will present a day of Roman-themed activities in the garden of the former Sergeants’ Mess at the Roman circus centre in St Runwald’s Street, Colchester.
*** 10.00am – free family workshop at the Signals Media studio in Colchester town centre to create Roman costumes and horses with the help of artist tutors. To book, please visit www.signals.org.uk .
Using the workshop creations, there will be a procession from Colchester Castle to the Roman circus site. This procession will follow in the footsteps of the Roman charioteers, chariots and horses which processed from the Temple of Claudius, on the site of which Colchester Castle now stands, to the Roman circus to launch their races, 2,000 years ago…
*** 12 noon – The procession will set off just after noon and all are welcome to join in – those with horse, Roman or ancient Britain costumes will be especially welcome!
*** 12.30pm – After the circus procession, participants and visitors can join in with our Roman-themed activities in the garden of the former Sergeants’ Mess and see the launch of the Colchester Roman circus App, until 4.30pm.
* 2.00pm – the première of the animated film ‘Dig Deeper’. This animation has been created by local young people, aged 11 to 25, and it explains what archeology is all about. It is to become a part of the circus centre’s permanent displays.
* after 2.00pm – a talk from the App developers, Teaboy Games, at the Roman circus centre.
This day will celebrate Colchester’s amazing heritage and the creativity of the young people living in Colchester today. The event is a culmination of all the hard work and imagination of the young people who have attended Signals Media workshops throughout the summer. Workshops included animation, sound design and creative writing. The young people learned many new skills, created the content for the new App and animated film, and also learnt more about their local Roman heritage.
This day is part of Signals Media’s ‘Dig Deeper’ project, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Young Roots’. Thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Lottery Fund invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife.
Signals Media director Rachel Hipkiss says: “Over 50 local young people have taken part in this project. It has been a very creative summer, with activities as diverse as photography and robot-making. We are very excited to share the work of so many talented young people with the rest of Colchester and we hope that this will encourage more people to visit and learn about Colchester’s very special Roman circus.” …’
For more information about the App, the procession or the launch day, please visit www.signals.org.uk/dig-deeper .
Today (30th August), an item was posted on the Colchester Daily Gazette web-site titled ‘Roman parade planned as youngsters finish Roman circus App project: read this at www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/14710444.Roman_parade_planned_as_youngsters_finish_Roman_Circus_app_project/ .
The Trust is very grateful to Signals Media, to the Heritage Lottery Fund and, especially, to all the young people who have contributed to the Roman circus centre App. We hope that all our visitors will enjoy using it!
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