Time ticking to keep Roman coins in county

Buy photos » Coun John Campion shows his support for the Bredon hoard fund-raising appeal. Picture by Neville Collins40012039ncw Order this picture online at www.buyphotos247.com.

TIME is ticking away to raise the vital funds needed to keep Worcestershire's largest ever hoard of Roman coins in the county.

Museums Worcestershire has just two months left to raise a total of £40,000 to ensure the 3,784 coins discovered in Bredon Hill last year can be displayed throughout the county.

The coins were found by metal detecting enthusiasts Jethro Carpenter and Mark Gilmore and research undertaken by Worcestershire Archaeological and Archives Service with the British Museum indicates the hoard was buried nearly a century after it was accumulated.

The valuation covers the market valuation from the Treasure Valuation Committee, the costs of conservation estimated by the British Museum and the price of a case to display it in estimated by Worcestershire County Council

Worcestershire Archaelogical Society have boosted the fund-raising total by donating £500 and will be hosting a special event on Monday (October 8) to further boost funds at St George's RC Church Hall in Worcester.

Almost £1,400 was raised when more than 3,000 visitors saw the coins in front of their very own eyes when on display at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.

Coun John Campion, chair of the Joint Museums Committee, showed his support to the fund-raising appeal on Wednesday (October 3) by wearing a campaign t-shirt and said it is vital the hoard stays in the county.

"The residents of the county have been fantastic at coming forward with their donations and with the help of Worcestershire Archaeological Society we are well on the way to raising the money necessary to acquire the Hoard," he said.

"Museums Worcestershire will plan further fund-raising in the future to conserve and display the coins."

Residents can offer their support and make a donation by visiting www.charitychoice.co.uk/worcestershire-hoard/ or by visiting the Museums Worcestershire website

As well as online, residents can donate on their mobile phones by texting COIN11 and the amount of money to 70070 or by visiting the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, the Commandery in Worcester or the County Museum at Hartlebury.

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