You can now discover the heritage of the Beau Street Hoard by taking part in inspiring activities happening at the Roman Baths and a variety of locations across the area.
This unique hoard, found on the site of the new Gainsborough Hotel in Beau Street, Bath contains 17,577 Roman silver coins, dated from 32BC – 274AD.
In March this year Bath & North East Somerset Council received a £372,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to acquire the coins and from January 2015 they will be on permanent public display in a new interactive exhibit within the Aquae Sulis Gallery at The Roman Baths.
This month marks the official launch of the Beau Street Hoard community engagement programme which will run until July 2015, with many opportunities for everyone to get involved with exciting, coin-related activities.
Cllr Ben Stevens (Lib-Dem, Widcombe), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development said: “We’re pleased to announce a long list of public activities surrounding the Beau Street Hoard, as Bath & North East Somerset Council is keen to give local people lots of opportunities to get close to one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries to have been made in Bath in recent times.
“Later in the year we will be making further announcements as other events and activities are confirmed.”
On Saturday 17th May the first Beau Street Hoard Roadshow – where the hoard is brought to communities across the region – will take place at The Mead Community Primary School in Trowbridge.
A fun-filled day, with opportunities to handle real Roman coins and enjoy hands-on activities, the roadshow events could be happening at a location near you over the next year.
The ‘Glorious Rome’ family drop-in events at The Roman Baths during half-term 26th-30th May (10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm) offer opportunities to learn about and handle Bath’s very own coin hoard.
On ‘Money Mondays’ at The Roman Baths from 14th July – 18th August (6pm-8pm) come and explore a range of coins from the collections including Saxon, Viking and Medieval examples.
On Saturday 26th July (6pm-9pm) celebrate The Festival of Archaeology at The Roman Baths with ‘Conservation past, present and future’, where you can meet a professional conservator who will explain and show how the Beau Street Hoard was conserved and cleaned.
As part of the centenary celebrations of the Brownies, The Roman Baths is hosting special Beau Street Hoard sleepovers, with the opportunity to take part in coin-related activities.
If you belong to a local group or organisation that would like a free talk on the Beau Street Hoard and the chance to handle of some of the coins, or you would like to host a roadshow, contact The Roman Baths on 01225 477757.
For up to date details of all Beau Street Hoard events visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/heritageevents, follow @RomanBathsBath on Twitter #BeauStHoard or view Beau St Hoard and event photos on Flickr.
All of the events are supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund.
