Roman Fun Day – Celebrating Carmarthenshire’s Roman heritage

Carmarthenshire County Museum in Abergwili is set for an invasion of Roman activities on Saturday, 20th July.

Saturday 20th July is set to be Carmarthenshire County Museum’s best ever Archaeology Day, aimed at promoting the ‘Romans in Carmarthenshire’ Heritage Tourism Project as well as celebrating the Festival of British Archaeology 2013.

The Roman Fun Day in Abergwili starts at 11am and runs to 4:00 pm and entry is free.

Gavin Evans, the museum’s Curator, said: ”This is the 11th year we have celebrated the Festival of British Archaeology at Abergwili and this will be the best ever! Many different groups and individuals are coming along to help us. Special mention must go to the Abergwili Youth Group and the Museum Friends for making sure things run smoothly on the day”.

Because the museum car park is small, the museum is encouraging visitors to use the free shuttle bus, leaving the Oriel Myrddin / St. Peter’s Church stop on Spilman Street most half hours from 11:00, with the last bus back leaving Abergwili at 4:30. St. Peter’s Church is opening its doors to welcome the public with teas and guided tours, so this is a chance to soak up even more of Carmarthen’s heritage before travelling to Abergwili for the fun.

There is also the option of joining one of two Roman walks which leave from outside Oriel Myrddin at 10:00 & 12:00 and take in the amphitheatre before striking out for Abergwili.

There should be something for everyone, young to old, with lots of hands-on activities, dressing up, chats, talks and craft demonstrations.

No real gladiator fights are on offer this year, but there will be new sports challenges with a Roman flavour. Carmarthenshire County Council is keen to see ‘more people, more active more often’, so the event is a great way to combine health and heritage. Also Carmarthen Leisure Centre’s Fusion Gym has organised some of its members into teams for a sports competition. Noisy supporters are welcome.

Main events

• Roman fancy dress competition for children with prizes – parade at 3:30. However, there is nothing to stop parents and grandparents coming along in costume and adding to the fun.
• Meet Lucius the Legionary to discover the life and times of a Roman soldier
• Aaron Petersen – Aaron-y-Gof – will set up his forge and talk about Roman ironworking.
• A talk for older audiences about the Roman army from the Historical Association
• A talk about Dolaucothi’s Roman goldmines (by the National Trust)
• Learn Latin the fun way (Dr Evelien Bracke, the Classical Association)

In keeping with the day’s Roman theme, Oriel Myrddin has organised a day-long mosaic-making workshop at Carmarthen Library, suitable for ages 8 and upward, for which there is a charge. Contact the Oriel directly for further details: 01267 222775

‘This exciting day has been organised to support the Romans in Carmarthenshire project funded by CADW’ said Project Manager, Lisa Bancroft.

‘The ‘Romans in Carmarthenshire Project’ is a CADW Heritage Tourism Project which has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council, the National Trust and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’.

‘The Romans invaded Britain in AD43 in the reign of the emperor Claudius. They were firmly established in west Wales before the end of the 1st century. Forts at Carmarthen, Pumsaint, Llandeilo and Llandovery were garrisoned by soldiers from other parts of the Roman empire. They came under the control of the legionary fortress at Caerleon, Newport. These soldiers went north to Hadrian’s Wall in about AD120. Carmarthen – Roman name ‘Moridunum’ – ‘the fort by the sea’ – became the tribal capital of the local Demetae tribe, with devolved powers to raise taxes for the Roman government. This city had defences which included a stone wall built in the 3rd century. St. Peter’s church sits in the area of the city’s west gate’.

‘Today the only obvious evidence for Carmarthen’s Roman heritage is its amphitheatre, built for entertainment and public events. Some of the finds from excavations in Roman Carmarthen are on show at the County Museum in Abergwili. The ‘Romans in Carmarthenshire’ project is funding the museum’s new Roman display and interpretation.’

The projects are the Dolaucothi Gold mines (National Trust), Y Pigwn Marching Camps and Garn Coch Hillfort (Brecon Beacons National Park) and The Laugharne Hoard, new museum exhibition at Abergwili and interpretation at the Carmarthen Roman Ampitheatre and tourist trail (Carmarthenshire County Council). The Project is Project- Managed by the National Trust.

Contact Details

Gavin Evans (Museum Curator)

Marion Male (Business & Retail Officer)

Carmarthenshire County Museum, Abergwili, Carmarthen SA31 2JG

Telephone: 01267 228696, e.mail: museums@carmarthenshire.gov.uk, web: museums.carmarthenshire.gov.uk

twitter: @CarmsMuseums and facebook: amgueddfeydd sir gâr – carmarthenshire museums

Participants (& more)

• Friends of Carmarthenshire County Museum
• Abergwili Youth Group
• National Trust Carmarthenshire
• Historical Association (Swansea & South-west Wales Branch)
• Classical Association (South–west Wales)
• Carmarthen Spinners, Weavers & Dyers
• Crafts from Carmarthenshire
• Aaron Petersen – Aaron-y-Gof – blacksmith
• Carmarthenshire Libraries
• Oriel Myrddin
• Carmarthenshire County Council Leisure
• Carmarthenshire County Council Countryside