Film Brings Alcester’s Roman Past To Life (June 2021)

Alcester’s Roman Museum has collaborated with musician Mark Ferraby in a Live & Local’s LivingRoom project to create a unique film celebrating its Roman history.

The 20-minute film follows a day and night in Roman Alcester and features range of talented people from the local community including a Brownies group, male voice choir, classical singer Cressida Dolphin and the town’s very own centurion, Mick Parker.

Chair of the museum’s trustees, Susan Juned, said: “Mark Ferraby has created all the elements which involve various community groups and individuals singing, speaking doggerel, poems, comic songs, monologues and more.

“The finished film is an intriguing and fun way to engage people of all ages in our remarkable Roman history and we’ll be able to show it not just in the museum, but also at various places around town, not forgetting Heritage Day on September 22.

“Creating something new, exciting and involving like this really is good news, for both our museum and the town.”

Mark added: “Stories and tales link us to each other and to our past families and friends.

“What a joy it has been to visit and work alongside Alcester families and friends to weave this tale of market mayhem. From the start I felt the fun in fabrication with the community here in town and what talent resides here from the youngest Brownie dancer to the oldest singer in town!”

‘Live & Local LivingRoom’ was launched last summer in response to the Covid-19 pandemic as a way to connect communities during a difficult time, by pairing local community groups with professional artists to work on a creative project together. Filming took place from the end of April through to mid-May, in line with all Covid restrictions.

The project was funded by Stratford-on-Avon District Council and the Arts Council.

The film is available to watch on the Live & Local YouTube channel: click here

Museum appoints new Chairperson and Secretary (January 2018)

Susan Juned has been appointed chairperson of the trustees of the Alcester Heritage Trust replacing Laurence Thatcher who has retired after 10 years in the job. At the same time Graeme Hewitt has replaced Trevor Wraight as secretary. The trust runs Alcester’s popular Roman museum.

At the handover ceremony Laurence said, “It has been a privilege to be chairman of the Roman Museum for the last ten years. I have met lots of lovely people and enjoyed the challenges involved in running an entirely voluntary organisation. It has definitely been a learning experience which I would not have missed for the world! However, it is time to move on since the museum needs a new vision and I am sure that Susan will provide exactly that. I am remaining as a Trustee and as a volunteer so will be still be part of the Roman Museum”.

Susan Juned added, “I am looking forward to taking on the task of chairing the Alcester Heritage Trust. Carrying on the work after the outstanding contributions made by Laurence Thatcher and Trevor Wraight will be a big challenge. Alcester’s Roman Museum remains successful as a result of their work”.