Event - Towering sculpture takes pride of place in square (Doncaster)

AN eight metre tall depiction of Doncaster has taken pride of place at the centre of the town’s new public square.


A crowd gathered in Sir Nigel Gresley Square - named by Free Press readers - to see the five tonne steel and bronze tower lifted into place by crane, ahead of the square’s official opening on Sunday as part of Doncaster’s Jubilee celebrations.

The sculpture, called Danum, is the work of artist Michael Johnson. He worked with more than 100 children to create images representing the town’s rivers and canals, Roman origins, sports clubs, and its railway and mining heritage. Doncaster’s markets and racecourse also feature.

Mr Johnson, said: “My brief was simple - something fitting to this square.

“Having looked at the square it had to be something that captured the whole spirit of Doncaster.

“Like many towns and cities the period between 1740 and 1940 was an age of great growth in Doncaster and many of the people who helped that get forgotten in history.

The cast bronze and stainless steel sculpture which cost £60,000 took 16 weeks to construct after a four month design and consultation period.

Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, said: “It is fitting that this piece of art has been designed to showcase what is great about Doncaster.

“It will be a focal point of the Sir Nigel Gresley Square and I am sure this imposing sculpture will become a town centre attraction in its own right.

”I am proud that many of our young people, elderly residents and people with disabilities have played their part and helped shape this iconic landmark.”

But people who saw the sculpture being erected had mixed feelings over the new piece of art.

Donald Robertson, 70, of Elmfield Road, Hyde Park, said: “I think it could be a target for metal thieves, and they could have spent the money on other things that would benefit more people.”

But student Katherine Cronin from Rossington said she thought the statue could become a nice place for people to gather round and have their lunch in the sunshine.

From: http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/doncaster-news/towering-sculpture-takes-pride-of-place-in-square-1-4599248

Event - Doncaster’s St Leger week in tune with town’s past

FRIENDS, Romans and countrymen - lend me your ears for loud music for St Leger week!

Roman soldiers mixed with the cream of musical talent from Doncaster and beyond for a programme of events marking the St Leger Festival.

Two legions of military enactors started the festival on Saturday morning, with the day ending with 1990s rap stars Stereo MCs headlining the first day of the Doncaster Live music event.

And the next day, historical re-enactors The Romans arrived to declare the event officially open, before Doncaster-based acoustic performer Natalie Burdis started the afternoon’s programme of music, the first of 15 acts on the Sunday.

The Romans re-enactors had marched in to set up camp on the site of the original fort of Danum – now the grounds of Doncaster Minster - to show off old fashioned battle skills and let children dress up.

Both events were backed by Doncaster Council.

One of the Doncaster Live organisers music promoter Heather Brown was delighted with the two days of music.

She said: “It was brilliant. There were huge crowds and the atmosphere on Saturday was electric. There was a real buzz.

“There were lots of families and it was a great turnout - a really great start to the St Leger festival in the town.

“On the Sunday we had a Roman emperor declaring the event open with a speech - that was great.”

There are over 150 events taking place during the festival this year, including heritage walks, art exhibitions, a Medieval Autumn Fayre, champagne brunches, Proms in the Park, wine tasting at the minster and a beer festival.

This year’s festival is sponsored by Travel South Yorkshire.

The full event listing can be found online at www.visitdoncaster.com/stleger or from Doncaster Tourist Information Centre on 01302 734 309.

From: http://www.thornegazette.co.uk/news/doncaster_s_st_leger_week_in_tune_with_town_s_past_1_3746292

Event - The Romans Are Coming (Doncaster)

Event - Visitors flock to step back in time (Doncaster)

More than 1,000 people whose imagination was sparked by the discovery of a rare Roman glass jug visited Doncaster’s latest town centre archaeological dig.

Seven archaeologists from ArcHeritage were on hand to conduct tours and to talk about the artefacts unearthed on the site of the new civil and cultural quarter.

Visitor Louella Chesterman of Bennetthorpe, said: “I found the event and tour extremely interesting and was impressed to hear that this site is now the largest Roman burial site in South Yorkshire. Listening to the archaeologists about how a dig takes place was fascinating.”

Ms Chesterman plans to visit Doncaster Museum in Chequer Road where the finds will go on display.

Jessica Worth, age 11, from Balby, said: “It was really interesting. The best bit for me was seeing the Roman glass bottle which was found here. I’m amazed it has survived all these years. I’ll definitely go and see it at the museum when it goes on display”.

As well as the rare Roman glass jug dating back to about AD150, several cremation urns and five oil lamps, which accompanied the burials, were discovered during the dig.

Four of the oil lamps discovered in a large cremation pit are in near perfect condition and carry the makers’ names ‘Fortis’ and ‘Strobili’, which indicates they were probably created in Modena in Northern Italy.

David Aspden, who is leading the ArcHeritage excavation, said the team has been delighted to find artefacts in such good condition: “When you are excavating a Roman cemetery you expect to uncover some significant finds, but to find two intact cremation urns, which can now be preserved and displayed, has been tremendous.”

Andy Lines of South Yorkshire Archaeology Service added: “This site is special and is going to make an important contribution to our understanding of Roman life and death in Doncaster 1,850 years ago.”

First World War practice trenches were also found on what was the Waterdale Central Car Park.

ArcHeritage worked with archaeological consultants Scott Wilson under the supervision of Doncaster Council’s development partner Muse Developments and advisors, South Yorkshire Archaeology Service.

To continue the celebration of Doncaster’s Roman history, Roman soldiers will be setting up camp in the grounds of the Minster on Saturday and Sunday, September 3 and 4. The soldiers will march through town and displays will be available. This Roman camp is part of the St Leger Festival Week which runs between 2-11 September.

Work on the next stage of Doncaster’s £300m CCQ scheme is due to start shortly. 

from: http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/community/nostalgia/visitors_flock_to_step_back_in_time_1_3631329

Festival of British Archaeology - Doncaster CCQ

On Saturday 23rd July the excavations for the new Doncaster Cultural Quarter were opened to the public as part of the Festival of British Archaeology.  This site represents a huge part of Doncaster history dating between the Roman Danum to the World War I practice trenches.

Section of trench looking North East

The greatest area of importance on the site is the Romano-British cremation site in the south eastern area of the site.  This site is slightly south of the Roman town and main road to Lincoln (Lindum Colonia) it is also quite close to the possible Roman road from Templeborough in Sheffield. The archaeologists think there are around 15-20 cremations on site.  These cremations are believed to date between 140-170 AD and the urns are believed to be St. Albans ware. They only have until the end of August to fully excavate these finds which seems measly to say how important these finds are!

 

Items brought by Doncaster Musuem

Doncaster Museum brought several items to show the public representations of finds from the site.  These included Roman and World War I items such as funerary goods and medals. The recently found Roman glass jug was not on display.

Archaeologists from SYAS gave guided talks throughout the day which were very informative and useful for deciphering this site.  The ground is mainly sandy pebbles which help to differentiate between the natural and man made features 

The World War I trench remains are believed to date from the latter stages of the war when Doncaster was home to many troops preparing to leave for the front.  Remains of wooden planking could be seen during the excavation.

The site has seen several other uses including a horse-fair known as Glasgow Paddocks, bus station and college buildings.

The Romano-British cremations being excavated (looking South east)

Hopefully there will be another open day before the site is built on and the potential for finds is lost for another generation.