Romans ready to invade town centre

Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express.
Story: The first ever Roman festival - in modern times at least - will be held in Castleford on Saturday 12th September 2015.
L to R) Cllr Denise Jeffrey, Cllr Richard Forster and Cllr Cllr Jacquie Speight.
Photo date: 07/09/15
Picture Ref: AB202a0915 — Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express. Story: The first ever Roman festival - in modern times at least - will be held in Castleford on Saturday 12th September 2015. L to R) Cllr Denise Jeffrey, Cllr Richard Forster and Cllr Cllr Jacquie Speight. Photo date: 07/09/15 Picture Ref: AB202a0915

Castleford Business Forum is organising the Roman festival in September as part of a series of events to boost business and visitor numbers in the town.

It will take place on Saturday, September 12 from 10am until 4pm.

There will be children’s workshops and activities, falconry displays, face painting and performances from a ‘Roman statue’ in and around Carlton Street.

Coun Denise Jeffery, group chairwoman and Castleford councillor, said: “It’s fantastic that so many businesses and organisations in Castleford have come together to take part in our Roman Festival.

“There is something for all the family, so please come along, show your support for the town and have a fun family day out.”

As part of the event there will also be a Roman spa taster day at Castleford Forum Museum and Library.

Market traders will also be dressing up in Roman costumes with an award for the best dressed trader.

Coun Jeffery said: “We want to build Castleford up and increase the number of people coming to the town.

“Wakefield has the rhubarb festival and Pontefract has the liquorice festival so, given Castleford’s links to the Romans, we thought it would be a great event for the town.”

The festival will include stalls on Carlton Street and entertainment around the town centre.

Coun Jeffery said: “I just felt like there were a lot of events going on in Wakefield but nothing in Castleford.

“I want to have more in Castleford because events like this lead to people coming into the town - and the more people you get into your town, the more money is going through the tills in our local shops.”

Castleford Heritage Trust will also hold a special Roman themed open day at its Queen’s Mill on Aire Street.

There will be children’s activities, a fancy dress competition, craft stalls and a barbecue.

Visitors will also be able to take a guided tour of work being done to transform the mill into an arts and culture museum.

For more information on the festival visit the council’s website at www.wakefield.gov.uk