Zoo Lantern Magic

Chester Zoo are doing something special in the run up to Christmas. They are open until 8pm with a special Lantern Walk (and supper if you want it), you can have your photo taken with Santa and make your very own lantern. I almost feel tempted, but alas, don't have the requisite child to take with me...

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Jane's Handmade Christmas Cake

Jane, of Jane's Handmade Bread, has been making Christmas Cakes and Stollen. I have sampled both, and can testify as to their all-round deliciousness. She sell through various outlets, including many local Farmer's Markets. Her website is here: http://janeshandmadebread.co.uk/

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Roman Gravestone 47

A tombstone in the form of an inscribed panel, which reads: 'Gaius Lovesius Cadarus, of the Papirian voting tribe, from Emerita, a soldier of the twentieth legion Valeria Victrix, 25 years old, of 8 years military service. Frontinius Aquino his heir had this stone made.' He came from Merida, in South-West Spain, never to return.

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Roman Gravestone 26

This tombstone commemorates a veteran, a soldier who had completed his term of service. He must have chosen to stay in Chester, close to his comrades. Perhaps it was too far for him to make the long journey back home, or maybe he had met a local woman and raised a family. His gravestone does not tell us where he was born, or why he stayed. It reads 'To Gaius Valerius Crispus, veteran of the second legion Adiutrix Loyal and Faithful...'

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F. J. Proud and Sons

Out along Boughton, opposite the Leper Cemetery, is F. J. Proud, ironmongers. I love this shop, because you can still find all those essentials that are impossible to find anywhere else, like firebacks and grates, coal scuttles and tongs.

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Roman Altar

This altar was found in 1861 on the north side of Eastgate Street, near Godstall Lane. It was used for many years as a trademark outside Dutton's 'Sigarro Stores' in Eastgate Street. The (expanded) inscription reads: Genio sancto centuri(a)e Aelius Claudanius optio votum solvit, which translated means: Aelius Claudanius, optio, fulfilled hos vow to the sacred Genius of his century (by setting up this altar). Genius means 'guardian spirit', and an optio was a rank below that of centurion.

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Wattle And Daub

Behind the exteriors of many city centre properties lies wattle and daub, dating back to when each building was first built. Some places have exposed sections - The Cartoon Gallery and The Boot spring to mind. The section in the photo below is in Katie's Tearooms, in Watergate Street, and dates back to c.1325. You can read more about how it was done here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattle_and_daub

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