26th May 2022

Today I have been working with Beaconside Primary School in Penrith, at Penrith and Eden Museum. Year 4s other two classes are preparing for an exciting residential visit staying near Hadrian’s Wall and visiting a number of the Forts such as Houseteads and Vindolanda. We were exploring when the Romans came to Cumbria, why did it take nearly 30 years to reach here from the South coast? Where the forts are locally, what the Celts were like already living here and what is was like to be Roman here? We talked about Brocavum and Voreda, the nearest forts to Penrith and important in Roman times. We handled lots of replicas and some original Roman artefacts. I will be seeing them again in a few weeks at Housesteads where we are going to make some art inspired by the Romans garrisoned on Hadrian’s Wall - so watch this space!


Here is a design I painted with Penrith Scouts celebrating Voreda (Roman Fort near Plumpton) for one of the banners in the Coronation Garden Penrith in 2012. The Coronation Garden is a great little park behind the Town Hall in Penrith and well worth a visit!