Roman around wonderful Wall
Villagers and visitors to the ancient Roman village of Wall will soon be able to enjoy a superb network of trails exploring the fascinating history and beautiful leafy environment.
The heritage footpath network is funded from a new pot of cash, doled out by the County Council from a fund created by the Government from a levy on quarrying operations - the Staffordshire Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund
The £15,000 project is being co-ordinated by Green Arc, the partnership which exists to make the links between economic revival and environmental enhancement.
Residents of the village, near Lichfield, community leaders and walkers are all backing the heritage network and are actively involved in making it happen.
Linking existing footpaths and green lanes, the network will help visitors go on a journey back through time.
The Romans settled the area and Wall became a busy military town at the crossroads of two vital highways - Watling Street and Rycknield Street. Wall was at the heart of the Romano-British world.
Work on the trail is due to be completed in the Spring and will include improvements to the village car park.
Links are also being forged with the Wall Roman remains Visitor Centre, working with English Heritage. Plus there are plans for an education pack for schools and links with healthy walking initiatives.
Staffordshire County Council's Archaeological experts have been called in to create a vivid interpretation panel for the trail which will link in to the network of clear "heritage" marker posts. There's a info-leaflet too.
Green Arc chief Jane Rochelle said Wall was living proof of energy through the ages.
"Wall is a wonder - a multi-layered living experience of the power of history. The heritage trail project fuses past and present, nature and community, environment and economic revival. Green Arc is helping to make those links," she said.
Parish Council Chair John Crowe, whose family have lived in Wall for generations, said the trail would put people in touch with their roots.
"Everyone in the village is excited by the project. Wall is a great place to live and we are keen that visitors should get the chance to visit and enjoy a walk through the deep memory lanes to times past," he said.
Staffordshire County Council's environment and economic champion Councillor John Wakefield said the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Funded scheme was a real example of putting something back into the community.
"The fund is all about maintaining the balance between economic growth and environmental revitalisation. Wall is a living and thriving community which has experienced the dynamics of history. This project maps out those changes. It will enable children, families and visitors to explore our common inheritance and put today's challenges in context," he said.
Local District Councillor Mathew Ellis said Wall would benefit today from the lessons of the past.
"Wall is a living community and we need new ventures like this to bring in visitors and trade supporting local business and jobs. Plus it will be a great place for people to get some healthy exercise. It is a winner in every respect," he said."
Page Last Modified:
30/01/2007 16:05:32
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