THE Essex County Standard of December 4, with its banner announcement Save Town’s Roman Circus, has only just been brought to my attention and to those of my fellow trustees of the Association for Roman Archaeology.

While welcoming the initiative to raise funds for this most important project, it does not provide much time for national committees like us to launch similar appeals for financial support from members of our organisations. The end of any year is always a diflicult time especially with Christmas and new year commitments, as well as meeting seasonal bills for domestic services. Please put out a further press appeal, especially to Taylor Wimpey, for more time.

As this is without question one of the most important Roman sites ever found in Britain, the maximum preservation and presentation of the monument has to be grasped. If it is lost, it will scar the reputation of Colchester and probably the developers nationally.

A recent Govermnent report stated that the borough of Colchester and its surrounding districts held a population of more than l80,000. If it were averaged out, at only £1 per member of the population, the appeal figure required would be close to hand.

My committee of trustees has agreed to do what it can, but needs more time. The acquisition of the central core of the old Sergeants' Mess, and the circus starting gates concealed in its rear gardens, must be secured as the public viewing area for the whole circus. Despite the road system crossing its path, there is a unique opportunity here to enhance the footprint of the circus as a huge linear feature in the town, utilising embanked mown grass mounds in available areas above the foundations of the arena, emphasised where possible with tall slender trees along the exterior alignment of the monument, which, when viewed from the upper levels of the Sergeants Mess, will provide visitors with one of the most dramatic and imaginative vistas in Britain for a Roman site, second only to Hadrian’s Wall.

At present, this campaign is probably the most exciting venture in the conservation of our national heritage and it must not be lost. Please appeal for more time.

Bryn Walters Director, Association for Romany Archaeology Wiltshire