Final events for Big Roman Week 2015

The festival that aims to raise awareness of the Romans in central Scotland comes to a close this weekend.

Big Roman Week 2015 ends in style with food demonstrations, fun for children, and a walk to some of the best sites along the Roman Antonine Wall.

The festival’s joint-co-ordinator Maria Ford, from The Friends of Kinneil charity, said this year’s festival had been a success.

She said: "We’ve seen walks, talks and family events taking place right across Falkirk District. There has been a great response from both local people and visitors. But it’s not over just yet. We’ve got some fantastic events lined up for the final days.

"We’ll wrap things up with two cooking demonstrations from chef John Crouch, recently seen on Robson Green’s "Tales from Northumberland" on ITV.

"John will be cooking up some Roman dishes in Bo’ness on Friday night (at St. Mary’s Church Hall from 7 p.m.) and at Kinneil Museum in Bo’ness on Saturday afternoon (from 1-4 p.m.)

"There will also be a Roman "hands on history" event at Callendar House on Saturday – plus a Roman-themed Asterix film at the Hippodrome, Bo’ness. Children can also enjoy Roman reading groups at Bonnybridge and Bo’ness Libraries (also on Saturday)."

The festival will conclude on Sunday, September 27, with an afternoon walk from the Falkirk Wheel to the fort at Castlecary, led by the archaeologist Geoff Bailey. This walk – around five miles one way – will take in Rough Castle Roman Fort and Seabegs Wood.

Maria also paid tribute to the Festival’s partners: Falkirk Council, Falkirk Community Trust and Historic Scotland. The Big Roman Week has also seen support from the national Doors Open Days programme, the Scottish Archaeolgy and Heritage Festival and DigIt! 2015.

You’ll find full details online at www.bigromanweek.org.uk and on The Friends of Kinneil’s Facebook page at www.fb.com/kinneil

Some leaflets may also still be available from local libraries and museums.

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BIG ROMAN WEEK 2015 – THE FINALE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 – ROMAN COOKING. Chef John Crouch, seen on Robson Green’s “Tales from Northumberland”, cooks up some authentic Roman food. There will also some modern day nibbles. From 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Church Hall, off Linlithgow Road, Bo’ness, EH51 0DP. No need to book, just turn up. Admission will be free (although attendees are asked to give a small donation at the door to The Friends of Kinneil to cover costs.)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – FAMILY EVENT: CHATTERBOOKS ROMAN READING GROUPS. Great Roman-themed activities for children aged 7-12 years. From 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. at Bonnybridge Library (no need to book, just turn up) and from 11 a.m. to noon at Bo’ness Library (please book a free ticket for the Bo’ness event from the library). Contact Bo’ness Library on 01506 778520 or email:bonesslibrary@falkirkcommunitytrust.org  … The Bonnybridge event will also feature an appearance by Roman re-enactor Douglas Eckhart from Real Roman Tours.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – FILM:  ASTERIX AND OBELIX MEET CLEOPATRA (PG). Go back to Roman times with this family film starring Christian Clavier as Asterix and Gérard Depardieu as Obelix. Cleopatra tells Julius Caesar that she will build a great palace for him. She also tells her architect that if he doesn’t make the schedule – he’ll be fed to crocodiles! Good old Asterix and Obelix do their best to keep him alive. At the Hippodrome Cinema, Hope Street, Bo’ness, EH51 0AA, from 11 a.m. Reel Saturday event. All tickets £2.60 each. Box office: 01324 506850. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/arts

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – ROMAN COOKERY AT KINNEIL.  At Kinneil Museum, Kinneil Estate, Bo’ness, EH51 0PR. Roman cookery expert John Crouch cooks up some Roman food for visitors. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free. No need to book. Just turn up. Organised by The Friends of Kinneil. www.kinneil.org.uk

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – FAMILY EVENT: HANDS ON HISTORY – THE ROMANS.You will have the opportunity to handle real Roman artefacts and find out more about what the Romans left behind here in Scotland. At Callendar House, Falkirk, from 3-4 p.m. Suitable for all ages. Booking not required. Free, just drop-in. Organised by Falkirk Community Trust. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/heritage

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 – WALK THE WALL: FROM THE FALKIRK WHEEL TO CASTLECARY. Join archaeologist Geoff Bailey as he leads a guided walk along the line of the Antonine Wall: leaving the Falkirk Wheel and Rough Castle Roman Fort and heading to the site of the Roman Fort at Castlecary, via Seabegs Wood, by Bonnybridge. Walk (one way, around 5 miles). No need to book, just turn up. Leaves outside Wheel visitor centre at 2 p.m. Organised by Falkirk Community Trust.www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/heritage

** Please note that distances for walks are approximate. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer return transport back to venues. For information on buses to and from venues tryhttp://www.travelinescotland.com