Here you will find out about heritage events that have taken place in Middlewich. The articles are supported with photograhs and videos and they are listed in date order, most recent first.
Roman Middlewich Festival 2011
Celebrating a 10 year anniversary, Middlewich Town Council held The Roman Middlewich Festival on the 24th and 25th September 2011.
Located on this website are links to photographic galleries containing many fantastic images of this years Roman Event. We also have ‘you tube’ footage via James Balme and as a special request from many visitors; we now have the ‘Roman Fort Virtual Tour’ video.
Many thanks to those who sent in photographs, the spirit of the Festival was certainly captured, enjoy!
“The Roman Middlewich Project has had such a major influence in our Town over the last decade, in terms of creating a pride in our community; developing the awareness and profile of Middlewich, engaging volunteers, and encouraging community groups to become involved with the Civic life of the Town”.
“I take great pride in being Mayor of this Town, and I value our Heritage and sense of Community. I hope, after attending this event that you will understand why”.
Cllr Sonya Edwards, Town Mayor
A video covering many aspects of the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011 is available by clicking on the link below.
The Ermine Street Guard at the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011
The Ermine Street Guard Roman Re-enactment Society is dedicated to research into the Roman Army and reconstruction of Roman armour and equipment. Since forming in 1972, the guard has become firmly established as the leading society making such a detailed, accurate study of the subject. Each piece of equipment is made as authentically as is practical by guard members.
Their displays at Middlewich include aspects of Roman soldier training, firing artillery, a static army camp and two fully equipped Roman Cavalry. Prior to the festival, members of the Guard have visited schools, to give children a real taste of life as a Roman soldier.
Raphael Falconry at the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011
Regarded as the UK’s leading authority on authentic, high quality flying displays. The Static Display is a carefully crafted period tent customised to house the flying team, to a very high standard of historical authenticity.
It is open each day between flying displays for you to see the birds at rest, take photographs and talk to the falconers. Read more about them at their excellent website www.raphaelfalconry.com
Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 16:22
Roman Cavalry and Chariots at the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011
Roman cavalry and chariots by Atkinson Action Ponies.
We were very lucky to have 2 replica chariots loaned to us by English Heritage. Together with trained horses and stunt- riders, they provided a fantastic spectacle of arena action and fun for everyone to enjoy.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 16:24
Salt-Making at the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011
The Salt-Making Activity was part of a partnership project between Middlewich Town Council and Andrew Fielding representing the Ecosal Atlantis project. Run in the UK by Bournemouth University, the project is in its infancy but we’ll be sure to keep you up to date with progress.
We are delighted to be a part of this European partnership, focusing on Salt Routes / trade on the Atlantic coast line of which Middlewich was an important part. There is an opportunity for all the locations within the partnership, to learn more about salt-making and think about more effective ways of collecting data, engaging the public and linking with sites different from our own.
Produce guidelines for cultural and heritage management of the salt working sites based on a heritage database containing natural and cultural heritage data. Good cultural and heritage management and enhancement of natural areas needs good knowledge of the potential of those territories therefore the data obtained should be easy to use and disseminate.
‘Establish guidelines for heritage management of the salt-working areas (natural and cultural) which support the Route in two ways: internally – as a tool for the partners work; externally – information/dissemination actively involving the public with the sites’.
A video of the Salt-Making at the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011 is available by clicking on the link below.
Pottery-Making at the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011
Each roman legion would have had it's own pottery maker to meet the legions requirements for a wide variety of bowls and vessels.
Just how the pottery was made way back in Roman times was demonstrated at the festival and visitors to the festival were able to discus all this with the potter as he worked at his wheel.
A video showing pottery-making at the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011 is available by clicking on the link below.
Photographs and Videos of the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011
Click on any of the images below to open them in the image viewer:
More Photographs:
JIMPIX - large high quality photographs at jimpix featuring Raphael Falconry, Ermine Street Guard and Atkinson Action Horses.
Cliff Astles - this site belongs to our community photographer Cliff Astles. Photographs are available to buy, just click on the Roman Festival on the menu and choose the slide option; it’s great to sit back and view the images without lots of clicking buttons!
Videos:
Historic Media - this link will take you to the work of James Balme, who has been a keen supporter of Middlewich Festivals for a number of years.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 16:29
Sponsors of the Roman Middlewich Festival 2011
Our sincere thanks go to the sponsors of this event...
Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 16:30
Gladiators At The Roman Middlewich Festival 2007
Presenter & Producer James Balme brings us exclusive footage of the Gladiators at the 2007 Roman Middlewich Festival. James who has written and produced all of the documentaries covering the historic festivals in Middlewich gives us an exclusive preview from the forthcoming documentary about the 2007 Middlewich Festival.
Join Archaeologist & Presenter James Balme at the 2007 Roman Middlewich Festival. This is the opening film in a series of features to be produced by James as he takes in the atmosphere of Roman Middlewich for this the 3rd Roman Middlewich Festival to take place in the town. Here he conducts some interviews with some of the people that were there.
On the 15th & 16th September 2007 Middlewich held its 3rd Roman Festival in the town at the site of the original Roman fort.Presenter & producer James Balme was commissioned to produce an official documentary charting the weekend and all its activities as they happened. Now for the first time you can see highlights of that weekend filmed and produced by James
“The Roman Middlewich Project has had such a major influence in our Town over the last decade, in terms of creating a pride in our community; developing the awareness and profile of Middlewich, engaging volunteers, and encouraging community groups to become involved with the Civic life of the Town”.
Produce guidelines for cultural and heritage management of the salt working sites based on a heritage database containing natural and cultural heritage data. Good cultural and heritage management and enhancement of natural areas needs good knowledge of the potential of those territories therefore the data obtained should be easy to use and disseminate. 
