A new ‘partnership’ project to explore potential opportunities at one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved Roman military sites has secured £250,000 in grant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Caerllion Rufeinig – Porth i Partneriaeth / Roman Caerleon Gateway Partnership Project will harness the combined expertise of Welsh Government’s historic environment service Cadw, Amgueddfa Cymru (Museum Wales) and Newport City Council to improve the heritage and tourism offer in Caerleon for both the local community and visitors.
Over the next 18 months, the partners will engage with the community and stakeholders to reconnect them with Caerleon’s internationally important Roman remains and collections, finalising a shared vision for the future that builds on this remarkable historical legacy.
The funding will support a series of studies and plans to shape delivery of the new vision. They aim to better share Caerleon’s history, address heritage crime and antisocial behaviour, understand visitor and community needs, and enhance the visitor experience for all. This work will culminate in comprehensive master plans for Roman Caerleon.
Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, said:
“By bringing together key heritage organisations with the local community, this partnership creates an exciting opportunity to transform how we experience Caerleon’s remarkable Roman heritage. This collaborative approach embodies our commitment to making Wales’s cultural heritage accessible to all while ensuring its preservation for future generations.”
Caerleon is home to major visitor attractions including the National Roman Legion Museum, run by Amgueddfa Cymru, and the excavated and displayed remains of an amphitheatre, fortress baths and military barracks in the care of Cadw. Dating from AD 74-5, the Roman fortress of ISCA was constructed as the base for the Second Augustan Legion and remained one of just three permanent legionary bases in Britain for over 200 years.
When this initial project is complete, the partners intend to seek further funding to develop and deliver an ambitious project to kickstart the delivery of the new vision and plans alongside the community and stakeholders.
On behalf of Caerleon Community Advocates, Neil Pollard said:
“We are thrilled that Caerllion Rufeining / Roman Caerleon will be receiving the funding. This will help us work directly with the local community, ensuring that the ‘partnership’s’ plan is developed with community voices at its forefront.”
Andrew White, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Director of Wales said:
“We’re delighted to support this innovative partnership project with £250,000, made possible by National Lottery players. This will help unlock the extraordinary potential of Roman Caerleon, one of Europe’s most significant archaeological sites, whilst delivering real benefits for the local community.”
Lessons learned from the project will be applied to other high-profile or under-appreciated heritage sites where visitor attractions run by different organisations could benefit from collaborative approaches with their communities.
The project aligns with the Welsh Government’s recently released Priorities for Culture, as well as recommendations in various organisational plans including the Tailored Review of Amgueddfa Cymru and Newport City Council’s 10-year Culture Strategy.
