Cirencester Scene Magazine - Supporting Local Businesses HERITAGE Cirencester Obelisk Brought to you by Cirencester Town Council The Cirencester Obelisk
The Cirencester Obelisk is thought to date back to the 18th Century although little is recorded about this monument. This obelisk is constructed from blocks of local dressed limestone and is about 50’ (15m) high.
The style of stonework points to the 1740s although the structure does not appear on maps until 1807. This site was originally Bathurst land and the obelisk could mark the boundary of the estate or was an element of the follies in Cirencester Park.
The presence of obelisks in early English landscape gardens could be seen as an expression of Masonic ideals. It is possible that Alexander Pope, a prominent Freemason, who worked with the 1st
Earl Bathurst on the development of Cirencester Park, influenced the construction of this monument.
The view of Roman Cirencester and the town walls from this point illustrating the Fosse Way, Bath Gate and cemetery.
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Cirencester or Corinium Dobunnorum was the second largest town in Roman Britain. Below this point is the floor of a Roman quarry and from this viewpoint the Fosse Way, the Roman town walls and the Bath Gate would be clearly visible.
Obelisks are of Egyptian origin and represent a petrified ray of the sun; a symbol of power and immortality. Bath Gate Cemetery and Roman Quarry
Following the arrival of the Romans in about AD 48, the Querns site was a source of stone used for the construction of the town. The slope in front of you is the result of this quarrying, as are the numerous humps over the site. The extraction of the stone left behind niches and pits, later used for burials.
Beyond the modern bypass, hidden by the trees, is the site of the Bath Gate. This was the main town entrance from the Fosse Way, the road from Exeter , which continued on to Lincoln. The cemetery was outside the town wall and located on either side of the Fosse Way, ensuring memorials were seen by all those using the road. In the 1970s an extensive archaeological dig between here and the site of the Bath Gate uncovered part of the Fosse Way and 453 Roman burials of the 3rd
and 4th Century.
The excavations revealed mostly simple burials but also tombstones and coffins. Some of the burials included personal ornaments such as bone combs,broochesandsomejewellery.Occasionallygravegoodswerepresent, including an ornate folding knife and a cooking pot which contained the remains of a chicken.
The excavation provided an insight into the population. The skeletal evidence indicates the hard working lives of the people buried here, which contrasts with those buried in the walled cemetery further north, reserved for wealthy burials.
Roman Cirencester
Town walls Modern street plan
Burial Ground
More information and finds from the site are held at the Corinium Museum. Want to knowmore?
Cirencester Amphitheatre
YOU ARE HERE
Why not visit the Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester.
Artists impression by Samuel Lindup. AQIVA Pumpkin Pie!
“Don’t let your Halloween pumpkin go to waste!” Says Cllr Sue Coakley of Cotswold District Council, “There are some delicious recipes for pumpkin soup.”
Pumpkins aren’t just for Hallowe’en carving! The flesh is delicious too, especially the smaller varieties which are specially bred to be baked whole and are full of autumnal flavour. You could always sacrifice a large pumpkin for carving, then use some of the innards to make a yummy soup, and serve in scooped-out mini pumpkins as bowls. Or bake these mini treats whole with cream and onions for a hearty and warming din- ner, with plenty of bread straight from the oven.
Baked Baby Pumpkin Serves 2
1 mini pumpkin (or small squash) 2 onions, chopped 25g butter 1 tbsp light brown sugar handful sage leaves, finely chopped 125ml double cream 50g Gruyère cheese, grated 25g breadcrumbs sea salt & cracked black pepper
Cut the top off the pumpkin to make a lid. Scoop out all the seeds and thin stringy flesh around them from the inside and throw away (or roast to make pumpkin
Cirencester Scene Magazine 01285 659673 / 07875 071555
info@cirencester-scene.co.uk 25
www.coriniummuseum.org
This board has been prepared by Richard Holmes from the AQIVA Friends group, with thanks to Pip Finch.
At least 8 skeletons had some indication of injuries caused by weapons. One male received a severe gash to his head which fractured his skull. He survived and later was subject to trepanning (making a hole in the skull) probably to treat the neurological aftereffects of the initial injury. The healing of the skull indicates he also survived this treatment.
seeds). Heat the butter in a saucepan and gently cook them until softened. Stir in the sugar and sage along with a good grate of back pepper; remove from the heat and stir in the cream, cheese and breadcrumbs, and season well. Spoon into the pumpkin hollow and put the lid back on; wrap in foil and bake at 180C in a roasting tray for 40 minutes to an hour, until starting to become tender. Remove the foil and cook for an- other 20-30 minutes until gooey and soft. Serve with crusty bread like a pumpkiny cheese fondue between you: don’t forget - eat the whole pumpkin, skin and all. Recipe
fromwww.purtonhouseorganics.co.uk
Recycle
If your pumpkins are not fit to cook, please will resi- dents leave them out next to the food bin as part of their usual weekly collection.
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OLD TOWNWALLS
BRISTOL ROAD
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