Volunteer army marches in to spruce up Roman fort

Buy photos » Organiser Kim Evans with volunteers and Coventry councillor Ram Lakha (second right). Picture by Jon Mullis 32.013.018.cov.jm1 (www.buyphotos247.com)

THE Lunt Roman Fort is thought to be around 1,953 years old - so it was more than ready for the makeover it got this week.

An army of volunteers was tasked with repainting the unique and ancient circular horse-training arena known as a Gyrus, and carrying out vital conservation work and maintenance to the concrete remains of where the original buildings once stood.

It happened in the same week a new organisation called Culture Coventry took over the running of the historical site along with the Transport Museum, Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, and Priory Visitors Centre.

Not much is known about the fort near Baginton from historical records, but it was thought to have been built around AD 60 as a supply depot and headquarters for the Roman Army during the final campaign against Boudica.

Lareg quantities of Roman pottery were found there in the 1930s but it was not until excavations several years later that the remains of three periods of occupation of Roman military camps were unearthed.

Emma MacLellan, of the trust which looks after the fort, said: "This conservation work is absolutely vital for the future of the site.

"Without the help of Asda and the Prince's Trust volunteers it would be very difficult for us to undertake the work ourselves."

Businessman Roger Medwell, ex-chairman and chief executive of NP Aerospace, who chairs Culture Coventry, said: "This is a really exciting time for the city, and culture and heritage needs to play an important role in Coventry’s future."

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