I have blogged intermittently about the Roman circus in Colchester. Initial plans to develop the site were shelved after a failed bid to get cash out of the Heritage Lottery Funding in April. Now developer Taylor Wimpey has weighed in. In the Essex County Standard:
Now a shared vision has been created by leading Colchester history lovers putting forward a masterplan of how the circus should be celebrated and interpreted.
The vision, presented by community interest company destination Colchester, has been drawn up by: * Peter Herring, voluntary project manager of the Abbeyfields Roman chariot racing mosaic project; * Philip Crummy, director of the Colchester Archaeological Trust; * John Mallinson from the Colchester Archaeological Group; * Historian Jess Jephcott from destination Colchester.
The circus was found during archaeological works carried out as part of the redevelopment of Colchester Garrison.
The site is being developed by Taylor Wimpey but the shared vision calls for as much of the circus footprint as possible to be placed in public ownership.
The story has also been picked up by the Gazette:
The group, which includes Colchester Archaeological Trust director Philip Crummy and historian Jess Jephcott, has suggested creating a grass mound to mark the site of the circus, which is underground.
It also wants a visitor centre set up within the Old Sergeants’ mess, where eight starting gates were unearthed, and part of the track to be recreated.
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