Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your eyes

Ribchester Roman Museum will host a two-day event this Saturday and Sunday to mark its centenary.

Activities will include re-enactments of Legio Secunda Augusta, a first century society, and Roman cavalry group Romanorum.

A mosaicist, lawyer, masseur, surgeon and troop of gladiators and Roman women and children will be on hand to demonstrate how people used used to live in Ribchester. Youngsters will also have the chance to dress up in armour, fight with Roman gladiators and particpate in a range of other activities.

The museum, in Riverside, was established by Margaret Greenall with the aim of stemming the flow of artefacts from the village, which had occurred ever since it was first recognised as a site of special historic interest.

The original museum, under the name Ribchester Museum of Roman Antiquities, comprised of one room before an extention was built in the 1960s.

The Ribchester Museum Trust was formed in the 1980s following the National Trust’s decision to relinquish ownership of the property after almost 70 years.

In 2001, the museum reopened following the completion of an ambitious redevelopment scheme.

For more information about the event, log on to www.ribchesterroman.