Roman Circus

This week campaigners reached a £200,000 target in their fight to save Colchester's Roman circus. But it's just the tip of an iceberg of red tape the circus must dodge to survive as a tourist attraction. And while the city's leading archaeologist is thrilled the landmark figure has finally been made, he warns there's much more work to be done.

The future of Britain's only chariot racetrack is looking a lot brighter this week, as the public funding needed to save Colchester's Roman circus was reached yesterday. The £200,000 raised by Colchester Archaeological Trust and Destination Colchester will join £30,000 from the local council and £550,000 in loans and grants. The total will go towards buying the Sergeant's Mess, a Victorian building which stands upon the circus' gates. To see an in-depth blog on the campaign itself, click here.

Best-selling author Caroline Lawrence has added her name to a growing list of celebrities supporting the fight to save Colchester's Roman Circus.

Lawrence, the author of the ‘Roman Mysteries’ series of children’s books, joins other high-profile people backing the appeal, including authors Ronald Blythe, Guy de la Bedoyere and Adam Hart-Davis, Time Team presenter Tony Robinson, architectural historian and TV presenter Dan Cruickshank, broadcaster Peter Snow, and former MP and cabinet minister Tony Benn.

Tarragona (or Tárraco in Roman times) is an ancient settlement from the 3rd century BC and later became the capital of the Spanish province. The city was fortified by defensive city walls, within which were a Provincial Forum, an amphitheatre, a theatre, and the Roman Circus - as has been beautifully captured on film by Tomàs.

The Roman Circus at Tarragona was built inside the walls separating the heart of the city and the commercial & residential zones, highlighting the significance of the buildings and business which took place inside the "Comitium" - the nerve centre of the Roman Forum.