Date set for opening of Leicester's new £16.8m Roman museum
Leicester's new multi-million pound Roman museum is to open in July, the city council has confirmed.The revamped Jewry Wall Museum will feature the remains of a Roman bath house and more than 100 Roman artefacts discovered across Leicestershire.Work on the project began in 2021 but the council said progress had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and contractors, originally carrying out the renovation, going bust.The museum, which cost £16.8m, will officially open to visitors from 26 July, the authority said.
Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "It's fair to say that this project has faced more than its fair share of challenges, with a global pandemic and not one but two key contractors going out of business during the construction phase, so I'm delighted that we can now – finally – look forward to the opening of this brilliant new attraction for Leicester."Everything that will be on display in the new museum has been discovered right here in Leicester and Leicestershire, from the Blackfriars Mosaic that's been described as one of the finest mosaics found in Roman Britain, to a beautifully crafted bronze key handle that depicts a man grappling with a lion."The Grade II listed Jewry Wall Museum and the former Vaughan College have been refurbished with huge glass walls connecting the ancient wall, outdoor space and modern exhibition space.The new museum, in St Nicholas' Circle, will include an immersive film, interactive displays, games and projections allowing visitors to explore the 2nd Century site and Leicester's 2,000-year history.
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Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Frustrated residents have four years for new flats and now they are nearly ready
Frustrated residents have four years for new flats and now they are nearly ready Councillors and council officials celebrated the topping out of a block of flats in Grangetown that residents have been waiting years to move into The leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, said he understood the frustration of residents (Image: Ted Peskett ) Key decision makers at Cardiff Council said they understand the frustrations of tenants in a council housing estate who have been waiting years for their new flats to be built. Cardiff Council's cabinet member for housing and communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, and the leader of the council, Cllr Huw Thomas, made their comments at the topping out ceremony of a block of independent living flats at Channel View. The flats are part of the first phase of a wider scheme to completely redevelop the Grangetown estate. Residents living in the 13-storey block opposite were first told in 2016 that their flats would be demolished and that they would be rehoused, with many claiming they have been living in poor conditions since then. Never miss a Cardiff story and sign up to our newsletter here. Cllr Thorne, who is also a ward councillor for Grangetown, said: "I was doing monthly surgeries and I felt as frustrated as they did. "I guess we forget that we had Covid in between which delayed it all and then unfortunately we had issues with the... regulations, particularly to do with fire safety which delayed it further. "Yes, I understand their frustration and I felt [it] too because I want to see it [the new building] coming out of the ground as well." Article continues below Residents living in the old block claimed they experienced issues with mould, damp and leaks as they waited to see progress on the new flats. It was reported in March 2024 that some residents had experienced plumbing issues that saw sewage appear in their toilets and baths. Cardiff Council's cabinet member for housing, Cllr Lynda Thorne (Image: Cardiff Council ) Cllr Thorne said she was "over the moon" to see the new building, block B, at its highest point in the construction process. She added: "This is actually a replacement for the high rise and of course, since we took the cladding off they have been a bit colder and sometimes [there has been] a little bit of condensation in the flats which means they are all keen to move into their new flats. "Although it doesn't address the housing crisis, it does address getting... particularly older people, in really good accommodation." Cardiff Council has partnered with Wates Residential on the Channel View project. Residents living in the 13-storey building opposite the new structure have been waiting years for progress on the Channel View project (Image: Ted Peskett ) Block B will deliver 24 new energy efficient council homes for older people and the apartments in the six storey building are expected to be ready for residents next year. The leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, was also present at the topping out ceremony. The leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas (left) at the topping out ceremony with regional managing director of Wates Residential, Edwards Rees (Image: Ted Peskett ) When asked about delays to the project, he said: "Rome wasn't built in a day and I am really concious of how long it's taken to make a reality of this project. "We first started talking about it and the need for it shortly after I became leader eight years ago, so it's a frustrating thing for everyone how long these things take to come to fruition. "You've obviously in that period had issues like Covid, you had the disastrous mini budget that in turn affected interest rates and that has had a knock on impact on costs as well. Block b of the Channel View redevelopment scheme is nearing completion (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) "There are good reasons why it has taken so long, but I absolutely understand the frustration from residents. "The council has tried to do what it can to support them... during that period and obviously for the residents living across there will be payments in terms of a relocation payment as well and disruption. "We all acknowledge that it has not happened as quick as we would like, but it has also delivered some really good learning of how we take these processes through quicker and the irony is, and this is a UK challenge, the actual building bit doesn't take as long as the financial assembly and the planning process." A second block of flats that's also part of the first phase of development at Channel View is scheduled for completion in 2027. This building, called block A, will consist of 102 community living apartments, community facilities, a rooftop terrace and a cafe. The whole Channel View scheme will eventually see the 180 existing properties there, originally built in the 1970s, replaced with 400 new homes. Article continues below It will also seek to deliver improved connectivity for the estate, improvements to the public open space at The Marl, and the creation of a new public realm using green infrastructure and sustainable drainage systems (SUDS).
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Religious history 'rewritten' with 'greatest discovery since Dead Sea Scrolls'
The Megiddo Mosaic, discovered by an inmate at Megiddo prison in northern Israel, has been hailed as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls" by experts An ancient inscription hailed as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls" has been uncovered beneath an Israeli prison floor, naming it the earliest known testament of Jesus as God. A prisoner chanced upon the 1,800 year old mosaic at Megiddo jail featuring the Greek inscription: "The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial." Believed to be part of the world's inaugural prayer hall from around 230 AD, this 581-square-foot mosaic provides irrefutable evidence of the early Christian belief in Jesus as the son of God. Dubbed the Megiddo Mosaic, the artefact also showcases some of the most primitive artistic depictions of fish, hinting to biblical teachings like the one in Luke 9:16 where Jesus miraculously multiplies two fish to feed thousands. Concealed under Megiddo prison since its initial unveiling in 2005, the historic floor has presently been lent to an exhibition in Washington DC, only until the following month, reports the Mirror US. Carlos Campo, CEO of the showcasing museum, extolled the mosaic as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls," adding that colleagues believe it to be "the most important archaeological discovery for understanding the early Christian church." During the exhibit launch, Campo said: "We truly are among the first people to ever see this, to experience what almost 2,000 years ago was put together by a man named Brutius, the incredible craftsman who laid the flooring here." The Megiddo Mosaic is temporarily on view at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC until its return date in July 2025. Alegre Savariego, the exhibition's curator, said: "The mosaic presents groundbreaking physical evidence of the practices and beliefs of early Christians, including the first archaeological instance of the phrase, 'God Jesus Christ.'". Discovered in the Jezreel Valley, an area steeped in Christian lore as the site for the apocalyptic battle of Armageddon, the Megiddo Mosaic has caused a stir among historians and theologians alike. The four-year dig by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) unearthed the 581-square-foot mosaic floor, which intriguingly includes the name of the Roman officer who commissioned it during Judea's occupation. The find has sparked discussions about a potential period of coexistence between Romans and Christians, challenging the traditional narrative of constant conflict. An inscription on the mosaic reads: "Gaianus, a Roman officer, having sought honor, from his own money, has made the mosaic." Adding to the evidence of a harmonious relationship is the discovery of a nearby Roman encampment. The prayer hall or church was likely hidden away when the Roman Empire's Sixth Legion moved to Transjordan, suggesting a complex interplay of cultures and faiths in the region. The mosaic, which features the names of five women – Akeptous, Primilla, Cyriaca, Dorothea, and Chreste – whose significance remains a mystery, has been hailed as one of the most significant archaeological findings in comprehending the ancient Christian church. Bobby Duke, the Museum of the Bible's Scholars Initiative director, said: "This is arguably one of the most important archaeological discoveries for understanding the early Christian church." The artefact includes some of the oldest images of fish representing Christianity, mirroring the story in Luke 9:16 of Jesus feeding 5,000 with just two fish. Duke explained the importance of the discovery further: "For example, the mosaic underscores the crucial role of women in the early church by the fact that five women are mentioned in it by name,". The museum's expert compared the find to the historic impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls on biblical scholarship: "Truly, the mosaic presents a wealth of new data for church historians, like the Dead Sea Scrolls did for Bible scholars." The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) noted the peculiar nature of this request for remembrance of individuals, particularly since it is rare for God to be asked to remember specific people. The IAA elaborated on the significance of the women featured saying, "While they were clearly important to the community, the inscription does not tell us whether they were patrons of the community (like Akeptous), or martyrs, or honored for some other reason." After unearthing a significant find, the IAA meticulously cleaned and preserved the mosaic. The floor was then delicately dismantled, with pieces stored in 11 crates that were shipped off to the US earlier this year for an exhibition titled 'The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith'. "You couldn't just lift the whole floor up," Duke said. "So ... they very intricately cut different pieces of the mosaic so that they didn't destroy any of the artwork. So, not all the pieces were the same size. So, even one of the crates that came into this gallery was about a thousand pounds." Once the exhibit is over, the Megiddo mosaic will be returned to Israel for a permanent display at its original discovery site. When the mosaic is repatriated, the inmates at Megiddo will be moved to a different prison. Additionally, the museum had to own up to the fact that several supposed Dead Sea Scroll fragments within their collection were actually recent frauds. "While some of the founders and actions of the museum are questionable, and the museum clearly has a very ideological agenda, I don't think a 'purist' agenda is very helpful here," stated Prof. Aren Maeir from Bar-Ilan University in a discussion with "As long as everything is done by the letter of the law, I see no problem."
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Fire at ancient Anglesey church nearing end of £2.3m upgrade
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Concerns for an ancient Anglesey church were raised when smoke was seen billowing high into the sky. St Cybi's in Holyhead is undergoing extensive redevelopment and parishioners feared a fire could jeopardise next month's scheduled reopening. It's understood vandals set light to portaloos being used by workers refurbishing the church, which dates from the 6th century and is built into Holyhead's Roman wall. The fire spread to adjacent timber stacked ready for use inside the building. Smoke was seen rising from the churchyard at around 6.30pm on Thursday, June 5. Although firefighters extinguished the blaze before causing serious damage, it's believed a section of the church's exterior wall was left charred and blackened. This is expected to weather and disappear over time. "It could have been a lot worse," said one observer. St Cybi's and its adjacent 14th century chapel, Eglwys y Bedd, are currently being redeveloped as part of a £2.3m project funded by UK Levelling up money. The church will reopen as a 'more accessible' multi-use community hub with a social enterprise cafe. The chapel, built on the site of St Cybi's original cell, is being extended using Anglesey limestone, quarried in Moelfre. In the plans are some exciting innovations designed to appeal to a younger demographic. Five ancient churches in the Diocese of Bangor are being upgraded as part of the Llefa'r Cerrig - Stones Shout Out initiative. Air source heat pumps are being installed to provide underfloor heating, and solar panels placed on south-facing roofs. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now St Cybi's is one of the five beneficiaries, with a shop and children's play area also planned. But the work hasn't been without controversy. Some parisioners were unhappy on learning that traditional old pews were being replaced by pews that can be moved to facilitate events and meetings. There was also anger over the transfer of St Cybi's organ to another church that can afford its estimated £200,000 repair bill. Critics claimed the heart of St Cybi's was being 'ripped out of it'. Meanwhile, the project timeline slipped when skeletal remains were discovered under the church and in the churchyard. In a pit beneath the chancel near the altar, a 'large collection of unarticulated human remains of unknown date' were found in summer 2023. They were buried beneath the church's 'Victorian layer', laid by architect Gilbert Scott during his reordering of the church in 1876-1879. It's suspected they had been reinterred, probably from multiple graves within the churchyard. All remains removed were due to be reinterred within the churchyard. Excitingly, other archaeological digs revealed what is believed to be part of the original footpath laid by Roman settlers at the site thousands of years ago. It's hoped St Cybi's can reopen in late July. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Holy Island Ministry area were approached for a comment. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Find out what's happening near you
