A COMMUNITY archaeology group is planning an open day at the Tebay Roman Fort dig.

Lunesdale Archaeology Society, supported by ACTion with Communities in Cumbria, are looking forward to welcoming members of the public to a free open day at Low Borrowbridge Farm in the Lune Gorge, south of Tebay.

The event, on Saturday July 30, 10am until 4pm, will be a rare chance to visit the Roman Fort, situated at Low Borrowbridge Farm just off the A685 on the Fairmile road.

The site of the fort is on private land which is not usually open to the public but for one day only the excavations and finds from the dig will be on public display.

The Roman road on which the fort was located would have followed the line of the M6 and London to Glasgow railway through the Lune Gorge. The fort was positioned in the centre of the valley on this strategic north/south route way to control trade and movement through the mountains nearly 2,000 years ago.

Members of the Lunesdale Archaeology Society have gained permission from the Secretary of State to excavate a scheduled area to the south of the fort where it is believed a bath house once stood. The building would have been used by Roman soldiers stationed at the fort.

Site Director on the excavation Joseph Jackson, an education officer for the Vindolanda Trust and Roman Army Museum, will give talks throughout the day in full Roman soldier costume to help bring the site to life.

Reproduction examples of Roman weapons and armour will be on display and Roman metalwork specialist Vanessa Castagnino and ceramic specialist Jeanette Cooper will also be on hand to talk about the artifacts found during the dig.

This project has been managed by Annie Hamilton-Gibney through the ACTion with Communities in Cumbria ‘Tebay and Orton Local distinctiveness Development Project’. Annie said “We can’t wait to see what secrets the dig will reveal about life in Roman Tebay, what a wonderful and rare opportunity”

For more information on this project, please contact ACT Development Officer Annie Hamilton-Gibney on Tel: 01768 869517 or Email: annieh-g@cumbriaaction.org.uk