Stop Ploughing at Verulamium

Tony Robinson joins Rescue in the campaign to stop ploughing at Verulamium

On Tuesday 16th July Tony Robinson of Channel 4’s Time Team visited Verulamium at the invitation of Harvey Sheldon, chair of Rescue. An article appeared in the Times that morning about the history of the Roman town, the destruction effects of the ploughing and the strong probability that this destruction will begin again shortly unless the Government takes decisive action. The press were invited to join Harvey and Tony at the site. Journalist Maev Kennedy from the Guardian turned up and so did photographers from the Independent, the Guardian and the Hertfordshire Advertiser. Everyone went into the Theatre, from which there is an excellent view of the surrounding fields that are due to be cultivated. Tony Robinson described the possibility of continued destruction by ploughing as “ludicrous” and “a considered act of historical vandalism”.

Coverage of the Verulamium story in the national press on 16th and 17th July
Coverage of the Verulamium story in the national press on 16th and 17th July

Tony Robinson being photographed by the press in the long grass at the edge of the Roman theatre
Tony Robinson being photographed by the press in the long grass at the edge of the Roman theatre
Harvey Sheldon being interviewed by Maev Kennedy of the Guardian; the fields in the background are part of the area threatened by renewed ploughing.
Harvey Sheldon being interviewed by Maev Kennedy of the Guardian; the fields in the background are part of the area threatened by renewed ploughing.
A very long tea break - part of the Sheppard Frere excavation area next to the theatre.
A very long tea break - part of the Sheppard Frere excavation area next to the theatre.
Tony Robinson standing in the Roman theatre; the field immediately behind the hedge is due to be ploughed again within months.
Tony Robinson standing in the Roman theatre; the field immediately behind the hedge is due to be ploughed again within months.

VERULAMIUM
RESCUE has been closely monitoring developments at the Roman Town of Verulamium, where negotiations between Government and the Estate have been ongoing in order to settle a stalemate over the ploughing of part of the estate granted Scheduled Monument Consent.

For more information about the Roman town visit:
http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/verulamium_museum.htm

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