Chichester Roman Week 2018

Chichester Roman Week returns for its third year this May half term, and is set to be bigger and better than ever.

Led by The Novium Museum and supported this year by Chichester BID, the Roman Society and the Roman Research Trust, Chichester Roman Week 2018 runs from Monday, 28 May - Saturday, 2 June and features talks, trails, guided tours, family activities and craft.

The Roman period will be brought to life on Wednesday, 30 May, with an exciting re-enactment in Priory Park. As well as talks and demonstrations, there will be a range of static displays such as a military camp complete with Roman artillery and a field medicine tent. Other demonstrations will cover aspects of civilian life such as midwifery, religion, slavery, cooking and a mosaicist. The interactive re-enactment will encourage audience participation and includes a slave auction, military show and gladiator show.

Councillor Eileen Lintill, Cabinet Member for Community Services at Chichester District Council says "Roman week has established itself as a highlight of the Chichester calendar, but this year is set to be the biggest and best yet. The Roman Re-Enactment will be the first to take place in Priory Park in more than a decade, and we hope that the programme of exciting and educational events taking place throughout the week will encourage visitors of all ages into Chichester City Centre.

"Chichester Roman Week offers something for everyone, and it's wonderful for The Novium Museum to be working with so many local businesses and attractions in celebration of our rich Roman heritage. We would particularly like to thank Chichester BID, the Roman Research Trust and the Roman Society for their support."

In addition to the Roman Re-Enactment, highlights of the week will include a Roman Market on Friday, 1 June. Chichester Farmer's Market will transform into a one-off Roman market in a unique display of immersive theatre. Visitors to the market are encouraged to get involved and dress up to experience a taste of life in Chichester during the Roman times.

The Novium Museum will be running a pop-up museum at the House of Fraser in West Street all week. The House of Fraser is thought to be situated above a large section of Chichester's Roman bath complex, part of which is uncovered within The Novium Museum. Visitors to the pop-up can discover examples of archaeology that were excavated from the House of Fraser site.

Children can take part in one of two themed Roman treasure hunts, with 26 objects to find in shop windows throughout the city centre. There will be 200 exclusive Roman Week tote bags to give out over the week, while stocks last, to visitors collecting their treasure hunt sheet from The Novium Museum.

Fishbourne Roman Palace, Chichester Library, Stansted Park, Chichester Harbour Conservancy, The History Guide and Cass Sculpture Foundation will also be running events throughout the week.

For a full programme of events, visit The Novium Museum's website www.thenovium.org/romanweek.