What did the Romans ever do for us?...

Jess Jephcott and trainee Roman soldier

It's often said in Colchester that we don't make enough of our Roman heritage. Well, partly that's down to all of us, and there are some hard-working people at Roman Circus House that are certainly doing their bit this summer. There are activities, tours, games, and of course tea and cake, almost every week. Check out more details at www.romancircus.co.uk
the full list is:
 Saturday 23rd July: Blue Badge guided tour of the circus site and centre, at 12.30 and 1.30, by Colchester Tourist Guides Jonathan or Dinah. Each tour lasts 45 minutes. £2.50 per head. Children under 11 FREE.
* Saturday 23rd July: ‘Making cutlery 300 years ago’ – illustrated talk with finds display by archaeologist and bone specialist Pip Parmenter about an industry which once flourished in Thaxted in Essex. 45 minutes starting at 2.00pm. FREE.
* Saturday 30th July: ARCHAEOLOGY ROAD SHOW. Dug up anything archaeological you want an opinion on? Do you have any mysterious finds under your bed or in the attic? Bring them along and try them on our panel of experts! 11.00am-4.00pm. FREE.
* Saturday 30th July: ‘Walking the Martello Towers of Suffolk’, illustrated talk by Trust archaeologist Howard Brooks. 45 minutes starting at 11.30am. FREE.
* Saturday 30th July: guided tour of the circus site and centre by Trust guides, at 12.30 and 1.30. FREE.
* Saturday 6th August: Blue Badge guided tour of the circus site and centre at 12.30 and 1.30, by Colchester Tourist Guides Jonathan or Dinah. 45 minutes. £2.50 per person, children under 11 FREE.
* Saturday 13th August: ‘Things they buried with the dead’ – hands-on finds session with Trust archaeologist Emma Holloway. 45 minutes starting at 11.30am. FREE.
* Saturday 13th August: guided tour of the circus site and centre by Trust guides, at 12.30 and 1.30. FREE.
* Saturday 20th August 20th: Blue Badge guided tour of the circus site and centre at 12.30 and 1.30, by Colchester Tourist Guides Jonathan or Dinah. 45 minutes. £2.50 per person, children under 11 FREE.
* Saturday 20th August: Kids’ dig – come and try your hand at excavating with a real archaeologist, and keep what you find! Sessions might be limited if popular. 11.00am-3.00pm. FREE.
* Saturday 20th August: Aquila game session with Alex (for players aged 10 and over). 11.00am-2.00pm. FREE.
* Saturday 20th August: the Two Daves concert. Triumphant return of the Two Daves to the stage at the circus centre with favourite songs from the Sixties. Quality! Starts 2.00pm. FREE.
* Saturday August 27th: Blue Badge guided tour of the circus site and centre at 12.30 and 1.30, by Colchester Tourist Guides Jonathan or Dinah. 45 minutes. £2.50 per person, children under 11 FREE.
* Saturday August 27th: ‘1971-1985: giant sites – big finds’ – illustrated review by Trust director Philip Crummy of his work in Colchester from 1971. 45 minutes starting at 11.30am. FREE.
* Saturday 3rd September: ‘1986-2016 – the Roman circus and much more’ – illustrated review by Trust director Philip Crummy of his work in Colchester from 1971. 45 minutes starting at 11.30am. FREE.
* Saturday 3rd September: guided tour of the circus site and centre by Trust guides, at 12.30 and 1.30. FREE.
* Saturday 10th September: HERITAGE OPEN DAY – part of the National Heritage Open Days 2016. 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Visit the former NAAFI of the Artillery (Le Cateau) Barracks of Colchester’s old garrison, built in 1937, which now houses the Roman circus centre. Small display about the NAAFI including some vintage NAAFI artefacts. Try 1940s NAAFI-recipe cakes in our tea room. Vintage military vehicles in the garden. FREE.
* Saturday 10th September: tour from Castle Park to the Roman circus – guided tour with Trust director Philip Crummy. 10.30am-12.30 pm. Meet outside the castle and see the remains of the Roman theatre, Duncan’s Gate, the Roman temple arcade and the Roman circus. FREE.
* Saturday 10th September: guided tour of the circus site and centre by Trust guides, at 12.30 and 1.30. FREE.
* Saturday 17th September: ‘More to pots than meets the eye’ – hands-on session with Trust archaeologist and pottery specialist Steve Benfield. 11.30am-12.30pm. FREE.
* Saturday 17th September: Aquila game session with Alex (for players aged 10 and over). 11.00am-2.00pm. FREE.
* Saturday 17th September: guided tour of the Roman circus site and centre by Trust guides, at 12.30 and 1.30. FREE.
* Saturday 24th September: ‘The Fenwick gold and silver treasure’ – illustrated talk by Trust archaeologist Adam Wightman who found the treasure. 45 minutes starting at 11.30am. FREE but best to pre-book to guarantee a seat (01206 501785 orinfo@romancircus.co.uk ).
* Saturday 24th September: ‘Digging deep for sound’ – an interactive family experience led by COMA East Firewire, a band that uses music to explore the present and the past. The band brings life to things long buried under our feet in Colchester through instruments and voices. 2.00pm to 3.30pm. FREE.
* Saturday 24th September: guided tour of the Roman circus site and centre by Trust guides, at 12.30 and 1.30. FREE.

The game of Aquila, adapted from a game found at Stanway

Phew! Hopefully there's something there for everyone in Colchester - Your move!

Music - well, actually the brilliant scene from Monty Python's Life of Brian!