2010 - Late Roman events in the UK

[Caballo]

Two thoughts- its not just the cost but the time away which might make it difficult for Continental Late Romans to get to Hadrian's Wall? It once took me seven hours to drive back from Corbridge to London with Crispus and Celer, whose conversation kept me going on the long drive.

On the other hand, did you know that there is an overnight ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle which might make things easier? Drive to Amsterdam Friday afternoon, wake up in Newcastle, drive to event, lots of beer on Saturday, drive back Sunday night. OK. so no sleep, but lots of fun.

[John Conyard]

Yes, there are ferries to Newcastle as well as Hull. Plus the airport.

But the intention is for a large rolling event with one event on the first weekend, with the show moving along the Wall to the second venue on the following weekend. So people have a great opportunity to explore the various forts, museums and countryside.

Of course all this is a long time in the future. But everything is in place. Let's remain positive and focused on making it a success.

[Agraes]

As a member of a group portraying Romano-Brits (well, settled on the continent!) Im really looking forward for a big event in Britain in 2010. We discussed this at Archeon with Robert this year.
It would even be a great goal for Letavia. Im more or less planing to get an officer kit for 2010!

But it will be far easier for us if organised in the south or the center of Britain. Saxon shore forts would be top-nutch. Hadrian's wall would be excellent aswell but it's a long, long way. We may come but we would be less numerous...



Seguntienses on their way back to Britannia!!!

[John Conyard]

It's looking good for 2010. Venues etc are all positive.

[FAVENTIANVS]

Is that gonna be LRE4 instead of Archeon?

[John Conyard]

I don't know what Robert has planned for Archeon. We just wanted to do something a bit special to mark 410 in the UK. Something on the Wall in an area of outstanding natural beauty, lasting two weekends at different venues plus a chance to have a look around in between, with reconstructed buildings, horses etc as part of the mix. It's a long way off but it's good to get things lined up in advance.

[Robert Vermaat]

Is that gonna be LRE4 instead of Archeon?

Read your messages on fectiosforum Ivan! I just sent our a general query last week! :mrgreen:

[Ironhand]

Let me know when and where so Buccellarii can start making plans, but given enough time I see no reason why we wouldn't be able to attend at least one event in the UK next year.

[John Conyard]

Good morning Derek,

Thank you for your message and I hope to meet you in person this April.

2010 will see many events commemorating (or in Wales celebrating) 410. A "410 Committee" exists with various representation to co-ordinate a series of digs and events to mark the year, and bring it to the attention of television and the public. Wales have their own version of the 410 committee and are planning to refocus the annual event at Caerleon, and hold a smaller event at Caerwent.

The last 410 meeting was around two weeks ago. In 2010 the digging season at Vindolanda, perhaps the most beautiful "Roman" site in the UK, will concentrate on its late Roman past, as part of this 410 programme. Vindolanda has an outstanding museum and is linked with the Roman Army Museum further along Hadrians Wall. We hope to invite late Roman groups around the world to a weekend event at this site of outstanding natural beauty. Then working with the Hadrian's Wall partnership, we hope to hop eastwards along the Wall to co-ordinate with Arbeia for their annual Roman Festival on the Saturday. On the Sunday we would move a couple of miles over the river Tyne to Segedunum, or Walls End for their big Roman event. Vindolanda, Arbeia and Segedunum have the largest stone reconstructions of Roman buildings in the UK. This week long programme would allow visitors to view the Wall and the museums along the Wall, which is a World Heritage site. At Arbeia and Segedunum we would be working with late Roman cavalry, hopefully the largest number ever fielded in Britain. The 410 Committee will be advertising these events, and I hope to get out invites in the next few weeks. I know a number of re-enactors in the USA have contacted us already regarding Newcastle airport etc.

Dates have yet to be set, but August is favourable to coincide with school holidays and to avoid clashing with the Welsh events.

In fairness I must mention that there will be lots of events marking 410 across the UK. I have a suspicion that the biggest crowd in the north will be at Sewerby Hall outside Bridlington, for Comitatus's own August Bank Holiday event. Bridlington is probably the site of Praesidium, presumeably the home of the Praesidiensis. It's an annual event by the seaside in a stunning location. In the south a meeting has been held to link an event with the St.Albans Arts Festival on the rugby pitches to the south of the town. Time Team, a popular Sunday evening archaeology programme will be doing a programme based on 410. There will be numerous events based on the late Roman period, and I'm sure you would be welcome to all of them.

[Agraes]

That's A LOT of possibilities. Im dreaming about spending a whole two months in the UK re-enacting here and there, but unfortunately I think we will have to make choices about which events to attend, as a company but also speaking in terms of a 'continental collective'.

Wouldn't it be a nice occasion for some British re-enactors to get late roman?

[fasta]

I'm sure there will be lots of events around the country and not on the same date.

[fasta]

As a member of a group portraying Romano-Brits (well, settled on the continent!) Im really looking forward for a big event in Britain in 2010. We discussed this at Archeon with Robert this year.
It would even be a great goal for Letavia. Im more or less planing to get an officer kit for 2010!

But it will be far easier for us if organised in the south or the center of Britain. Saxon shore forts would be top-nutch. Hadrian's wall would be excellent aswell but it's a long, long way. We may come but we would be less numerous...

Seguntienses on their way back to Britannia!!!

It's not that far.
:roll:

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Yeah its probably closer to get to the wall from Brest than it is for me to get to Dover from Scotland!! wink: The wall is great!

[Ironhand]

Sounds like its going to be a good next year. Maybe I'll have to stay sober past New Year's. :lol:

[Agraes]

http://www.410.org.uk/
The website.

A LOT of events are gonna happen, makes me wish I could spend the entire season in Britain.

Excavations:
- Badbury Rings
- St Alban's/Verulamium
- Binchester fort
- Caerleon
- Carr Dyke
- Colworth Villa
- Lufton
- Vindolanda Fort

Several conferences & lectures...

And of course the re-enactment festivals themselves: Verulamium, Caerwent, Caerleon, Hadrian Wall...