A fantastic weekend of Roman re-enactment. The famous Ermine Street Guard brings the amphitheatre to life with marching and displays of cavalry and artillery. Join the Junior Legion, receive a certificate and march in the Amphitheatre. See the Roman doctor, shop with the Roman traders or try some Roman-style food. Come and see military life from 2,000 years ago and have an exciting, activity packed day out for all the family.
Hmm. Not the most spectacular Spectacular I have been to. No gladiators this year! Thank God for the Ermine Street Guard -outstanding as ever and so accessible to the public. We got there just after lunch and apart from the 'Living History' exhibits there was nothing on really until three o'clock. Very interesting - and I spent too much money again, but I did feel that we were killing time for a while. Cardiff Uni were giving a talk and visit to their excavations, but it coincided with the display. Not much co-ordination it would seem.
A strange encounter was when we took our boy to the 'strike your own Roman coin' place in the ESG tent. It was manned by Peter Connolly. He made a big point of telling us it would cost,. but then struck it himself and handed the coin to my son who would have preferred to spend his pound on a decent replica in the museum shop for the same price.
My wife asked Peter C who was on the coin and he replied that he did not know. She looked at it and told him it was Vespasian. "Oh", he said. Seemed a bit odd, that's all.
