News RSS Feed


Read local news in your area:


 

£30,000 boost for Colchester Roman Circus appeal

10:14am Monday 8th February 2010


A BID to save a crucial piece of Colchester’s Roman Heritage has moved a step closer after Colchester Council’s cabinet pledged £30,000.

The donation - by far the largest single sum given - will come into play provided the public appeal raises £170,000 of the £200,000 needed.

In a campaign backed by the Gazette, organisers have until the end of the month to secure the site of the ancient chariot arena’s starting gates for a visitor centre.

Speaking on behalf of the Lib Dem, Labour and independent coalition cabinet, deputy leader Martin Hunt said the £30,000 would be found in next year’s budget.

* See Monday's Gazette for more


More News stories

Your Say YourColchester

COLIN MUDIE, BERECHURCH says...
10:50am Mon 8 Feb 10

Well done Colchester Council Cabinet.I am amazed that I should be the first to congratulate you on your positive action towards the Roman Circus Appeal. It would appear that you have silenced the critics who's contribution to any debate is to moan and whinge at every opportunity. I wonder if they have put their money where their mouths are?
I also wish to thank the Gazette for supporting the Roman Circus Appeal. Whatever we contribute to this appeal will only reap immense rewards for Colchester not only for the present but for the huge boost in tourism that this unique site will generate for years to come.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

RitchieHicks, Newtown says...
1:43pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Congratulations to the people who have got this far and I wish them the best, but is there much point? No one seems to care about our other Roman remains (except for the castle with it's over-priced admission) and the walls around the town are gradually falling apart. Perhaps the money would be better spent cleaning up the streets around town. People don't want to come here because it's 1.) congested, 2.) expensive to park and 3.) dirty in a lot of places, so what's the point in the project if it's going to end up as another venue for junkies to shoot up and drunks to leave their cans of 9% lager?

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

wellsaidfred, Colchester says...
6:00pm Mon 8 Feb 10

The comment "Perhaps the money would be better spent cleaning up the streets around town" just about sums up the negativity that causes many of Colchester's problems. What's wrong with being positive ? In life there's two kind of people - those who are part of the problem and those who want to be part of the solution. The Circus appeal is a wonderful example of what a COMMUNITY can achieve and demonstrates that apart from a few louts, there is a majority of good people in the town. If as a COMMUNITY we do more to be part of the solution we will change this town for the better. People taking direct action will always be a better option than relying on the 'nanny state' solution that brings overheads and of course politics into play. POWER TO THE PEOPLE I say!! Just a pity that CBC can only find enough to donate around 20p per resident - what's wrong with 50p (i.e £75k - so that decent security can also be funded :-)

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Andy Hamilton, Lexden says...
9:06pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Totally agree with Fred. I have been puzzled why Colchester Council showed so little enthusiasm for this unique structure. It was never mentioned at Council meetings I went to. There was some verbal support in the press but I remember one cabinet councillor stating no money was available.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Boris, Colchester says...
1:24am Tue 9 Feb 10

£30,000 is exactly the amount they are saving by not holding the bike race in the town centre this year. Coincidence?

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

setbuilder, Colchester says...
11:01am Tue 9 Feb 10

Judging by the amount of complaints, at the time, about the town's closure for the bike race I think you'll find the majority would state that £30,000 is exactly the amount 'wasted' last year!
So, perhaps, it's going to a good, and permanent, cause this year.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Comments are closed on this article.

Jess Jephcott pulls a chariot full of children at the Roman Circus site Jess Jephcott pulls a chariot full of children at the Roman Circus site


Local Advertisers

Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »