Colchester
At the end of July we returned after a long absence to Lower Castle Park in Colchester to take part in the Roman Festival 2023, along with Britannia who provided gladiator displays and Colchester Roman Circus Trust. Also present were various retail outlet stalls, food and beer tents, almost Kelmarsh reborn! There was also a Roman author event from where Lindsey Davis (author of the Falco series) came to say hello.
We had also given permission for a private film maker to take footage of us for a programme he was making about a Liverpool man who had decorated every room in his house with classical murals. He and his soundman turned out to be the least obtrusive team we have ever dealt with.
We gave our usual displays which were very well received and seemed to come together well right from the start. The artillery and archers shot well with Onager soft ammo landing in the river, Matt Preen demonstrated the cornu to good effect and acclaim from his comrades and a parade through the retail stalls and salute to the beer tent on the march back to camp was much appreciated.
The weather was mostly kind to us except that the threatened rain arrived at the end of the last display on Sunday. A hurried exit from the field led to the immediate packing away of the leather tents and display artefacts.
All told a good weekend at this new (for us) event which was well received with the organisers hoping for a return and several Guard members judging it to be the best job of the season so far.
