‘Let’s help society flourish for another 175 years’
Only one of the society’s cafés, at Fishbourne, had been able to reopen recently
“It is an integral part of the community and it is really important to preserve our Roman history.”
Those were the thoughts of Fishbourne resident and councillor Adrian Moss after news broke that the Roman Palace is under threat of permanent closure.
Mr Moss, Chichester district councillor for Harbour Villages ward, said: “Fishbourne is very proud of the Roman Palace and the village has always welcomed visitors to the palace. I have personally visited the site many times including as a young boy on a school visit.
“I am sure the village and the local community will rally round to support the Sussex Archaeological Society.
“As our communities recover from the Covid-19 pandemic we will be welcoming visitors back to our district and our cultural offering is very important.
“This area has a number of cultural offerings that attract visitors and I will be working through the district council to see how we can support the Roman Palace.”
Historian and author Tom Holland, who was named patron of the appeal, said now is the ‘perfect opportunity’ to help The Sussex Archaeological Society ‘flourish for at least another 175 years’. He added: “How wonderful it is that, in a county as rich in history as Sussex, even the archaeological society - an absolute model of how to preserve and cherish the legacy of the past – should be 175 years old next June.”
Roy Briscoe, district council cabinet member for community services and culture, said it is thanks to the society that Fishbourne Roman Palace has ‘remained one of the outstanding visitor attractions’ of the Chichester district. He continued: “In the 50 or so years since it opened it has delighted generations
The palace is the ‘largest residential building from the Roman times’ of schoolchildren, both local and from further afield.
“But this is not just a tourist site, it is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the country.
“It also houses the archaeological collections for both the Fishbourne area and the whole of Chichester district, including the city of Chichester. It has become a hub for academic research and the education of both children and adults in the archaeology of our region.”
A number of Observer readers have expressed their sadness on social media, with many commenting that it would be ‘huge loss’.
Christine Fisher wrote: “It would be sad to see this close. Both of my children had holiday/weekend jobs here. They now have children of their own. I took my granddaughter one half term. There were lots of tasks to interest her, and she loved it. Not just educational, but fun.”