A quick update for everyone from Deva Victrix & Deva Sempra (Hope thats spelt right). We have now started Gladiator training in readiness for this years events, including Beeston Castle event in August (see www.romantoursuk.com for more info.)
This week it is at the Huntington Village Hall on Wednesday 8th April starting at 7.30pm.
All welcome to come along and try out or just join in with the craic.
We should be going for a drink/chat afterwards as well if anyone is interested.
Brutus.
Evening all,
I’ve had a email from Kathy Kenney at the Countess of Chester Hospital Fundraising Team praising us for the work we all done at the Midnight March back in June. Again a big thanks to all who attended.
Brutus.
A big THANK YOU to our Roman Tours Centurion friends – Mummius, Feronius, Longinus, Brutus, Germanicus, Ed, Cornu and Brenda – who braved inclement weather and supported the Countess of Chester Moonlight Walk 2008.
This year we had over 500 ladies walking the 13 mile circular route around Chester in the dark small hours – and they needed lots of encouragement and support because of the very rainy night. This was offered in abundance by the Centurions.
The rain fell as the soldiers started the walk at midnight. They lit the way to the Liverpool Road and cheered the walkers on. They appeared again along a dark section of the A41 and then greeted the walkers back to the Hospital with a cheer and a medal of honour.
We have already raised over £40,000 towards our new appeal, Relative Comfort and the General Fund through sponsorship alone: and the money is still coming in. Well done to the Walkers – and a huge well done to our supporters – those who made the Walk such fun. The banter, good humour and support the Centurions provided was excellent – and we received many favourable comments from our walkers.
Thank you so much and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s walk.
Kathy Kenney
Events Fundraiser
Countess of Chester Hospital
A walkers report:
“On arrival there was a very energetic security man directing you to the parking areas. Once inside the Education and Training building, the registration process ran very smoothly and only took a couple of minutes before we were directed back out to the Liverpool Road car park where Marcher Sound was located.
It had managed to stay dry for most of the afternoon but as luck would have it the heavens decided to open just as the warm up started. So it really felt like we were participating in an “aqua aerobics” session. Alison from Total Fitness who organised this actually does teach “aqua aerobics” so felt right at home!
We were then started in groups of about 50 or so, led by men in skirts (Roman Centurions) and at midnight off we set. It continued to rain intermittently throughout and we had fun dodging the puddles. It seemed that every time we all decided to take off the rain gear someone n high thought it would be fun for the rain to start again. The rain finally stopped for good about ¾ of the way round. On the really dark stretch of the course the Centurions were there with their torches to light the way.
Finally reached the finish line after 3.5 hours and we were presented with our medals by a group of Centurions singing “the rain will come out tomorrow”! We were then treated to scrummy bacon butties, doughnuts and tea”
Well guys, this is me on my first official show & tell after 12 months with the Legion. I’ve got to say its been a brilliant day up to now. All the staff are really friendly and can’t do enough for us and the visiting public are showing genuine interest and are asking lots of probing questions.
Walking around Tamworth for lunch brought a few funny looks but hey, all in a days work!!
Anyway, my public awaits me, so from the first soldier to blog whilst actually on a tour, I bid you a fond farewell.
Aurelius Lucius Brutus.
Hi all, I know ita a while since I last posted but I have a nice little announcement to make.
You may or may not have heard but I can officially announce that I have secured us another Patron for Deva Victrix.
The person is a respected, world famous author and is very keen to work with us and has already said he is looking at coming to the Gladiator Funeral and Saturnalia, calendar permitting.
So without further ado, I’d like to announce that alongside our other Patron, Conn Iggulden, I have secured us a certain Mr. SIMON SCARROW.
The guy is an absolute legend and for us to have him with us is a massive coup and can take us that next step further than all of the other groups.
We are already good guys. We just got better!!
Onward and upward for Deva Victrix.
Valete,
Aurelius Lucius Brutus.
Last Saturday night/Sunday morning saw several of our group help the Countess’ fundraising team with the midnight march which helps raise funds in the region of £750,000 to provide overnight accommodation for relatives of patients in the Critical Care Unit at the hospital.
Braving the very, very, very Wet weather, our intrepid team of Mummius, Feronius, Longinus, Brutus, Germanicus, Ed(us?) our Cornu and Brenda(us?) lit our torches (eventually) and officially started the march at midnight, keenly followed by over 500 ladies from the staff at the hospital.
At this point Germanicus and Brenda had to leave us due to a family bereavement (the fact they came at all shows amazing bravery by them both) whilst the other 5 of us had to line a dark route of the A41 and act as marshalls which the ladies definitely appreciated due to the number of “thank you” comments we all got.
To finish the night/morning Feronius, Longinus and Brutus went back to the finishing line and handed out the medals to the girls as they came home after a gruelling 13.5 mile trek around Chester, and to top it all off we got free bacon butties and a brew before leaving the site at 5.45am.
I would like to thank the girls at the Countess Fundraising team Kathy, Kate and Pam for giving us the opportunity to do our bit – keep up the good work girls. Also, a big hello to Bec and the team at Marcher Sound 103.4FM for keeping us going with the banter at daft o’clock and we look forward to working with you all again soon.
Aurelius Lucius Brutus.
Last night whilst celebrating our Triumphant return to Roma, sat enjoying a few drinks in the campsite bar, alongside another european Legion. Brutus apon entering the bar, saw his Frata to let everyone know who we are shouted “Deva” to which the Frata responded “Victrix” repeated 3 times. This provoked a reply from the other Legion, of one of their chants. We then responded with a blessing chant to the Goddess Minerva, again 3 times, they responded with a further one of their own. To which we launched into a rousing rendintion of Krass a Mat. Half way through this rendition 3 members of the other Legion were on their knees bowing down as a mark of respect to “The Victrix”. Making us the Chanting Champions of Roma 2008. That’s one more battle Honour to us.( We gave them our beer order as the Victors but it failed to arrive)
Just to update you all, I spoke to Paul Crone today and basically, the Granada Reports film crews are all tied up this weekend doing the Aintree racing etc. so he is passing my details on to the Producer and they will contact me soon to re-arrange. This may be as soon as next week sometime but I’m working on it being the Sunday 13th April which is the Lord Mayor send off.
He is very keen to come down though and at the very least, get kitted up for the show.
Thats all for now.
Brutus.
Just a quick note to say I’ve been in Rome this week and the heat is absolutely stifling. It was in the late teen °C in early April so 3 weeks down the line I’m pretty sure it will be even hotter. We will all need water vessels for the march as dehydration will be a BIG problem and the last thing we need is anyone collapsing on the job.
I couldn’t find the route we will be marching online anywhere so I didn’t get to try it out sorry.
Also, I’ve been in touch with Granada Reports who are doing Fridays scheduling today and will ring me to confirm this afternoon whether we are on tomorrow or at a later date, so as soon as I know whats happening, you will know through the ususal channels.
Marcus Aurelius Nepos
ocratius
gaiuslonginus
conix
aureliusluciusbrutus
mdownes
curatia
giaustitiniusfelix
ferronius vegitous
mettiusferox
squamatus
