Events In The National Roman Legion Museum

National Roman Legion Museum, High Street, Caerleon NP18 1AE.
Tel: 01633 423134 Fax: 01633 422869
Email: rlm@nmgw.ac.uk
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 2pm - 5pm.
Open most public holidays, ring to confirm.
National Museums & Galleries of Wales
Visit Wales' National Collections for FREE!
www.nmgw.ac.uk

Wednesday 1st February 2012, 6 - 8pm (doors open at 6pm)
Evening Talk: The Military Role of Eunuchs in the Later Roman Empire - The Case of Narses. This talk will explore the military role played by eunuchs in the later Roman empire. It will focus especially on the case of Narses, a eunuch who worked for the emperor Justinian I (AD 527-565) as treasurer and chamberlain, but who won his fame as the general who managed to defeat the Ostrogoths in Italy during the wars of reconquest. Very rich source material exists for the military career of Narses. He is a major character in the histories of Procopius and Agathias, and features prominently in stories about the Lombard invasion of Italy. Dr Shaun Tougher of Cardiff Universtiy will analyse Narses’ career and abilities as a general, and consider how his character is constructed by these sources. He will also show that although Narses is the most famous example of a military eunuch in the later Roman empire, his case is not unique.
With light refreshments. Adults / £3.50 / Pre booking required: 01633 423134

Saturday11th February, 2 - 4pm
Hoops and Hearts Workshop. The tradition of working with willow and wood to make baskets and decorations goes back thousands of years. In this workshop learn how to make gorgeous willow hoops and hearts. You could make them as presents, although you may not be able to bear to give them away! Workshops provided by ‘Out to Learn Willow’. Suitable for all ages. £15 including materials, tea & coffee. Pre booking required: 01633 423134

Monday 13th February - Friday 17th February, 11am - 4pm
Roman Soldier Workshops. Let your little soldier have a taste of life as a Roman Legionary. Wave goodbye to Mum and Dad for 25 years and join up to the Roman Legion. Have at go at activities such as sword practice and marching and when you leave the army you’ll get a certificate. £2 per child. Family Activities. Contact 01633 423134

Sunday 26th February, 11am - 4pm
St David’s Day Festival of Wales. Everybody knows the traditional symbols of Wales, the leek, the dragon… but where did these symbols come from? Explore the makings of Wales in our St David’s Day celebration, with Celtic face painting, storytelling and hand’s on Welsh cake making! 11am-4pm. Free Entry. Suitable for all.Contact 01633 423134

Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th March
What goes up must come down! Take aim and have a go at archery. Try out our scaled down version of an ‘onegar’, a Roman catapult. National Science & Engineering Weekend. Saturday 11am - 4pm, Sunday 2pm - 4pm.

Tuesday 27th March, 6 - 8pm. Doors open at 6pm
Evening Talk  - Down to Earth - The Story of the Caerleon Coffin. Dr Mark Lewis looks at what we know about the coffin that was discovered in 1995. He will take us through the scientific processes that will recreate the image of the person within it. Talk and light refreshments. £3 per ticket. Pre booking required. Contact 01633 423134

Friday 6th - Monday 9th April
The Games of Zeus. Take part in our athletic challenge! We’ll see how fast you are around the obstacle course. Enter your name on our role of honour and be in with a chance of winning a prize. Including Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt. Free entry. Saturday 11am - 4pm, Sunday 2pm - 4pm. Contact 01633 423134

Bank Holiday Monday 7th May, 11am - 4pm
Grub’s Up! What would a Roman cook make for Come Dine with Me? – Find out with your hosts throughout the day. Sample some Roman style food. Free entry. Suitable for all. Contact 01633 423134

Monday 4th June – Friday 8th June, 11am - 4pm
Pictures in stone. Mosaics are an instantly recognisable art form that have been used to tell stories for thousands of years. Make a small mosaic to take home. Workshops at 11am, 12 noon, 2pm and 3pm. All materials provided. Please book for workshops. £2 per child. Family Activities. Contact 01633 423134

Saturday 2nd June, 6pm - 8pm
Evening Talk - The Ancient Garden. This follows the rise and fall of three civilizations and their gardens: ancient Egypt, classical Greece and the Roman Empire.  In this talk by Russell Bowes the design, plants and horticultural techniques will be discussed, using evidence from archaeological sites and modern photographs of plants. Talk and light refreshments. £3.50 per ticket. Pre booking required. Contact 01633 423134

Saturday 21st July - Sunday 2nd September
Summer Holiday activities. Details later...  Free entry. Suitable for all. Contact 01633 423134

Wednesday 25th July,
So you want to be a Centurion when you grow up? Dr Mike Thomas looks at Roman Officers from across the Empire. Where they came from, what they did and who they were.

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th August, 11am – 5pm
Military Spectacular - The Romans Return! A fantastic weekend of Roman re-enactment awaits you at Caerleon Amphitheatre on 18th and 19th August. Come and be part of it! In 2012 the Ermine Street Guard, Britain’s top Roman re-enactment group celebrate their 40th Anniversary. The Amphitheatre will echo to the sound of marching feet as the soldier’s display the weapons that made the Roman army the best fighting force on earth. Watch as the horses are put through their paces in the arena. And back by popular demand are the Gladiator troop Ars Dimicandi, all the way from Italy! There are plenty of ways to get involved as well. Talk to our Romans and find out what live was like as a soldier, a doctor or as a Roman lady. If you feel like something a bit more active why not try the gladiator school? And you don’t have to be a child to join in! (Gladiator sessions are timed and are subject to certain restrictions). Grab your sword and try out a few moves! If the exercise has made you hungry visit ‘Popina’ for a taste of some Roman fast food. There will be tours of the Roman remains as well, children’s activities, and plenty of things going on in our stalls from other Museums and attractions. And the best bit – once you’re paid you’re entrance fee, everything apart from the food is included! Come and see life 2,000 years ago and have an activity packed day out for all the family.

Saturday 28th July and Sunday 29th July
Festival of Archaeology  with archaeology activities. Saturday 11am - 4pm, Sunday 2 - 4pm. Suitable for all. Contact 01633 423134

Sunday 23rd September, 7 - 9pm
Evening talk - Birthday Lecture - Speaker to be confirmed. Talk and light refreshments. £3.50 per ticket. Pre booking required. Contact 01633 423134

October Half Term, 11am – 4pm
Celtic Week. £2 per child. Family Activities. Contact 01633 423134

Wednesday 31st October, 6 - 8pm
Samhain - ‘Games, stories and a prize fancy dress competition on the spookiest night of the year!’.  £3 children; £2 adults. Pre-booking required. Family activities. Contact 01633 423134

November
Evening Talk. Cardiff Astronomical Society. Details later... Contact 01633 423134

Saturday 15th December, 11am - 4pm
Christmas at the Museum. How is Christmas celebrated around the world? Join our magical Christmas mayhem and discover traditions through games and activities. Free entry. Suitable for all. Contact 01633 423134

Please check with the museum before making a special journey and to confirm times and prices of events.

In And Around Caerleon

Saturday 18th February 2012, 11:30 - 16:00
The Alpine Garden Society is holding its first national show of the season in Caerleon Comprehensive School on Saturday February 18th 2012, 11:30 - 16:00. The show will be open after judging from 11:30 and there will be a fabulous plant sale of unusual plants all day from 8:30, from Aberconwy Nurseries, Blackthorn Nursery, Carmarthenshire Growers, Choice Landscapes, Tale Valley Nursery, Thuya Alpine Nursery & Westonbirt Plants as well as a members stand. Homemade lunches and cakes as well as tea & coffee available. Entry: £2.00, children free.

Sunday 1st April, 11am - 3.30pm
Caerleon Craft Fair. Caerleon Town Hall between 11am - 3.30pm (10am - 4pm for stall holders). Entry is free to the public and £12 per table for stall holders. There will be a variety of stalls to suit all tastes (and pockets!) from personalised cards and gifts to charming handmade ceramics and wood crafted products; gorgeous beaded jewellery and hair accessories to beautiful hand sewn handbags; funky children’s soft furnishings to fun stuffed characters; beautiful, bespoke artwork to local honey and beeswax products; vintage cake stands and pretty tea cup candles to personalised children's gifts and scrummy cup cakes! ...and if all this shopping leaves you feeling thirsty refreshments will be available too! Other dates for 2012: Spring Bank Holiday - 3rd June, Summer - 5th August, Autumn - 7th October and Christmas - 2nd December.