A Bear Update So Far

Well it really has been quite some time since I left a blog. Its been a very busy time of late what with our march through the foire de Sens (festival in our twin town in France) which gave us all loads of drill practice, about 8 miles a day of drill practice but of course this was somewhat sweetened by the spontaneous applause and copious offerings of wine and beer tasting. Long live chateau nuf du pap, don’t blame my spelling here I defy anyone to be able to still read any language let alone french after all that. Our French hosts were fab and we were very proud to represent our city at this event. It must of course also be said that the Chester international Links association played a very large role in looking after us as an addition to there own significant workload. The fantastic Jones Coaches from Macclesfield of course were once again our elected transport to the legion. This time time Gary the owner was left with the kids while his lovly wife Karen took the helm and when not driving played her Ukelele accompanied by the horn player theo and his whitty ditties. Some of the accompanying councillors were even heard singing along.

Now that Chester is officially Chester West And Chester and we are its very own Roman military display team. We are very happy to finally be recognised as the the CWAC Legion.

With our new pythoness label we duly headed out to the Bath house at Prestatyn to lead the Walking festival up the hill (a big one) to see a huge bronze helmet sunken half way in the side of the mountain in recognition of the starting point of Watts Dyke trail. It rained of course an I left me helmet on the bus.
Minerva and her shrine received us once again with open hearts and this year some giants as well. The Ship inn was most hospitable so I bought the lads a round of beer for a good days celebration. The interest rates for the round were very reasonable and I should clear the debt before retirement.

Bear Training
This year I was determined to get the bear working so if a jobs worth doing you have to do it yourself sometimes. Being considerably shorter than the person who the costume was made for has greatly helped. This lack of height allows me to be able to fall down on all fours and bend, this being critical to persuade an audience that it might just be real. The first outing was in a school in the North west were a suitable student was hand picked by the old crow to fight the beast. As I appeared in a flurry through the curtains, the kids went wild and our great warrior applied reverse gear faced by a very sweaty smelly centurio in a bear costume complete with snarling teeth. After several reversing foot manoeuvrings Conix stepped in with some friendly encouragement “get him or you will have to fight me” this was decision made fight a bear or conix? He chose the Bear, throwing down his weapon he hurled himself around my neck and wrestled me to the floor what a star.
Stage two
now convinced the bear costume is convincing lets get the areana games underway. We decided to keep it a big secret from the audience other than the background bear sounds curtesy of i tunes cause i only growl like that when I have had little sleep and no coffee. I would add here a big thanks for all the encouragement from the boys, that the when walking on all fours it looked great. Cheers lads you bloody liars. Just proving that telling the boss its all fine when its not is called sucking up. In fact I looked like a Bear with an arthritic and or broken spine dragging my legs behind. The heat in that costume is unbelievable and more than 15 mins at a time is nearly intolerable.
The day of the games we finally figured out the biggest problem of getting it on stage within the scenario being presented. I wont tell you here cause i dont want to spoil the surprise for you. check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgSRMC-60JA on you tube though for an interesting bear training clip. In the next few days you should be able to see the Bear in action at the same devavictrix location on the tube.

Being a Bear has been one of the most difficult things I have had to do but what a laugh and the audience loved it too especially the shocking gutting of two captured warriors and the little girl dragged out to face the bear with a spear. Will she die ? you will, have to watch and find out.

Finally though I would like to say here that the support we have recieved in Chester to put on these games which attracted more than 1500 people on the Saturday and a furth 700 on the Sunday in torrential rain, could not have gone ahead this year without the backing and partnership of Chester Museum Archaeological team and the financial assistance of David Pickering. Your support is more gratefully received than you will ever know. In fact without this support and encouragement Roman history displays would be none existant.

If you missed he games than why not come and see the music dance and death at Beeston castle, Cheshire on the 8th and 9th August. Thanks to all those we attenbded this year and to the Legio VIII Augusta, Legio XX coh Hibernia and the Ya Raqs dance team you were awesome. Its always good to work with professionals especially in severe weather.

Archeology Press Release 2009

MUSIC DANCE & DEATH
Roman Arena Games

Ever wondered what a Gladiator tournament was like?  Have you ever wished you could see a full blown Ancient battle in Ancient surroundings?  Well now you can!!

Next Saturday and Sunday 18/19th July see’s the first Roman Arena Games in the Ancient Amphitheatre in Chester for nearly 1600 years and will be based on a day at the games.

The event is being planned, in conjunction with CHESTER ARCHEOLOGY Department. And the support of David Pickering and Chester’s own Roman Army Display Team and Roman Tours UK and is completely FREE to everyone!  What’s more, you can speak to the Gladiators and find out what really went on nearly two millennia ago, and what didn’t happen as well.

Also appearing are the ever popular North African dancers, Ya Raqs, who will be supporting the Gladiators and will also be running dance workshops, again which is completely FREE.

As part of the National Archaeology week, which the Arena Games is supporting, there will also be Roman Soldiers from around the British Isles demonstrating amazing Roman siege engines and will also be performing a military display.  And it is all FREE.

The event will be starting on both days at 11.00am from the Amphitheatre with a traditional march through the city and various events will be going on throughout the day until it’s close at 6pm.

We are also proud to announce that the event will be opened by the World famous author, Simon Scarrow, who will also be available to chat to as well as sign autographs.

One last thing, beware of the BEASTS which will be there, including a European Sun Bear and an Elephant!!

For more info, please see our website www.romantoursuk.com or contact Paul Harston on 07885 403485 or Ian Edge on 07813 144951.

Archeology & Arena Games

I am sorry to inform our regular visitors,

I have been told today, that unfortunately due to and injury Simon Scarrow, will be unable to attend this weekends event.

Sponsored by

The hair of our celtic team, is kindly sponsored by Essensuals of Bridge Street

The bear is being fed by a donation of fish from S. Cartridge fishmongers in the Forum market Chester.

The back up power supply has been donated by HSS, Sealand Road, Chester

Music Dance and Death

Salve Frater,

Once again our main event of the year “National Archeaology Days”,  at our home of Deva, has arrived with frightening speed.

Once again we take to the stage of our Amphitheatre to recreate a small part of what it meant to the world when Rome reigned supreme.

This year sees the return of old friends in the guise of our fabulous dancers of Ya Raqs, the VIII Augusta and our newer friends of the Legio XX Hibernia and the Deva Sempre, all of whom do us a great honour with their presense.

This event plans the return of our Gladiators to the arena of Death, for a performance that celebrates our heritage and hopefully will elevate the importance of what we do for the City of Chester to its rightfull position.

As always the success of this whole endeavor rests on the shoulders of each and every one of us. While some have roles that are center stage these are of no greater importance than those who work in the shadows and ensure that what we produce is proffessional.

This year has seen an extremely frustrating battle, waged by our Centurio, against those who would see this event fail. At great cost both financial and personal he has ensured we have a chance to make this spectacular event happen.

Now is our chance to repay that trust and make him proud.

Cast all doubt aside.

Look deep inside, seek your pride and the spirit within.

Appreciate the efforts of those you would call Frater.

This is another battle to fight, another frozen moment in time, a shared experience, a reason to stand with pride and say “I was there”

When we share a common goal and take to ourselves the spirit of the Legion, then none may stand against us.

Come join us at the Amphitheatre this Saturday and Sunday and lets make some History.

Gaius Flavius Longinus

” On my own I stand alone. But I am Many for We are Legion”

Romin to Rome with Roman

*Sourced from Chester Evening Leader and Chester Chronicle
Taking the dog for a walk is an everyday activity for many people but one man is going a step further this summer.
Matt Dalton, from Chester in the UK, will set off on a gruelling trek to Rome to raise money for charity.
His only companion for the energy-sapping journey will be his aptly named Rottweiler, Roman.
He expects the 1,500-mile-plus trip to take about three months, walking around 20 miles a day.
Former King’s School pupil Matt, who has an interest in Roman military history, plans to depart from outside Chester Town Hall and arrive in the Eternal City three months later.
Matt, 27, will first make his way to Dover to catch the ferry to Calais. Once he is on French soil he will then head south to Marseille before following the coastline through Southern France before heading south to Rome.
Matt, who used to work as a business strategist before quitting his job last week, says he wants to raise £100,000 for four charities before he sets out on his journey at the end of August.
Matt said: “I’m just bored of life. I want to do something different. I believe there has to be more to life than just work and I want to do something to help others.”
He will camp on the roadside while eating at various diners along the route.
“People ask me if I think it’s going to be dangerous,” he said. “Crossing the road can be dangerous. I’ve got no fear about it.
“I think by doing something like this you really get to know who you are and what you are capable of doing.”
Matt said he did not speak Italian but has already started learning it.
He said he had chosen to support an English, a French and an Italian charity as well as a charity for Rottweilers.
“I am raising funds for Help for Heroes, Médecins Sans Frontieres, the Italian Red Cross and the Rottweiler Welfare Association,” he said.
For more information go to:

www.roamintoromewithroman.blogspot.com

Or go to his Facebook group:

“I’m walking to Rome for charity!!”