Wednesday, 8 September 2010
The Lunt Roman Fort, Coventry
April 16 2005
Last year’s visit to The Lunt Roman fort had to be abandoned because rebuilding was not finished! This visit allows you to wander on a reconstructed timber rampart and gate and to visit the museum in a reconstructed granary building. The posts it rests on are in the original Roman holes! It was an unusual fort and the main feature is a “gyrus” used for training horses! Coventry was almost obliterated by wartime bombing and became the adventurous new city of the 1960s. At the rebuilding many of its older buildings were gathered together into a single street where the timber houses were rebuilt. This area is now a leisure area with pubs and cafes for our lunchtime break. Shops are a short distance away for people who do not lunch. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum was constructed shortly after the War to house a collection, which is very much based on the story of the city. Industries here included watch making and silk ribbon weaving and there are examples of fine workmanship in both. Much archaeology was prompted by the rebuilding and has continued since. Coventry has three Cathedrals. The ancient one was destroyed at the Reformation and has been excavated again recently; when it featured on Time Team. An old Parish church was used as the Victorian cathedral, but it was bombed in the War. Today the modern concrete cathedral of the 1960s stands in stark contrast to the ruins of the old as an emblem of peace and rebuilding.
Last year’s visit to The Lunt Roman fort had to be abandoned because rebuilding was not finished! This visit allows you to wander on a reconstructed timber rampart and gate and to visit the museum in a reconstructed granary building. The posts it rests on are in the original Roman holes! It was an unusual fort and the main feature is a “gyrus” used for training horses! Coventry was almost obliterated by wartime bombing and became the adventurous new city of the 1960s. At the rebuilding many of its older buildings were gathered together into a single street where the timber houses were rebuilt. This area is now a leisure area with pubs and cafes for our lunchtime break. Shops are a short distance away for people who do not lunch. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum was constructed shortly after the War to house a collection, which is very much based on the story of the city. Industries here included watch making and silk ribbon weaving and there are examples of fine workmanship in both. Much archaeology was prompted by the rebuilding and has continued since. Coventry has three Cathedrals. The ancient one was destroyed at the Reformation and has been excavated again recently; when it featured on Time Team. An old Parish church was used as the Victorian cathedral, but it was bombed in the War. Today the modern concrete cathedral of the 1960s stands in stark contrast to the ruins of the old as an emblem of peace and rebuilding.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Roman Tyneside
October 9 2004
Passing close to The Angel of the North the first destination is the fort of Arbella – the fort of the Arabs, where Persian boatmen were stationed. It was a chief supply base for Hadrian’s Wall. Large areas have been excavated and there is an on site museum as well as reconstructions including barracks and a gate way. The opportunity to enjoy a seaside lunch in South Shields will be taken. Then we will visit Wallsend, again there are major excavations and reconstructions including the only working Roman bathhouse in Britain. Hopefully there will still be time to see The Newcastle Museum of Antiquities which holds important collections of finds from the Wall - look out in particular for the famous temple of Mithras. As this will be a long day an early evening meal break will allow you the chance to relax in Newcastle; the runner up in the City of Culture 2008 finals.
Arbella
Wallsend
Passing close to The Angel of the North the first destination is the fort of Arbella – the fort of the Arabs, where Persian boatmen were stationed. It was a chief supply base for Hadrian’s Wall. Large areas have been excavated and there is an on site museum as well as reconstructions including barracks and a gate way. The opportunity to enjoy a seaside lunch in South Shields will be taken. Then we will visit Wallsend, again there are major excavations and reconstructions including the only working Roman bathhouse in Britain. Hopefully there will still be time to see The Newcastle Museum of Antiquities which holds important collections of finds from the Wall - look out in particular for the famous temple of Mithras. As this will be a long day an early evening meal break will allow you the chance to relax in Newcastle; the runner up in the City of Culture 2008 finals.
Arbella
Wallsend
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