Stories behind the statues at the Roman Baths
October 2008
A series of free lunchtime talks at the Guildhall, entitled
Sentinels in Stone, focuses on the statues at the Roman Baths and
why they are there. The famous Great Bath at Bath & North
East Somerset Council’s leading tourist attraction emerged gleaming
earlier this year after months of cleaning and stabilizing work to
the stonework and statues that surround it.
The famous statues represent Roman emperors and generals
including Claudius, Constantine, Hadrian and Suetonius Paulinus who
defeated Queen Boudicca. All but one were carved by the sculptor G.
A. Lawson and erected by the architect John McKean Brydon ready for
the grand opening of the Roman Baths to the public in 1897.
However the statue of Julius Caesar is only 18 years old, and is
the subject of the first talk at the Guildhall on Wednesday 22
October by Laurence Tindall, the stonemason who carved it. The
original statue of Caesar was vandalised in the late 1980s and a
new one was commissioned.
Laurence has worked in the Roman Baths over a long period of
time. King Bladud in the Kings Baths was his first conservation
project in 1982, followed by the Victorian statues around the Great
Bath, and the commission for the new statue of Julius Caesar.
Laurence comments: “My training in stone masonry is invaluable
to me. It gave me the skills base to work out of and a love of old
buildings. I value it as much as any other experience I have ever
had.”
“Conservation put me intimately in touch with some wonderful art
works. Working with great art increased my skills and understanding
of sculpture and communication through art. Fortunately in Britain
we value our heritage and will pay”.
Other talks in the series follow on consecutive Wednesdays. On 29
October Stephen Bird, Head of Heritage Services at Bath and North
East Somerset Council, will give a talk on three Governors of Roman
Britain, Ostorius Scapula, Suetonius Paulinus and Julius
Agricola. On 5 November Stephen Clews, Manager at the Roman
Baths will talk on the Emperors Claudius and Vespasian, and on 12
November, Hadrian and Constantine.
All talks begin at 1.10pm and finish at 1.45pm at the Guildhall,
Bath. Tea and coffee for sale from 12.45pm. Visit www.romanbaths.co.uk/talks
for more details.
There will be also be another chance to enjoy the Pump Room talk,
Time for Tompion on Sunday 26 October 9.30am - 10.30am. Breakfast
in the Pump Room and find out about the world famous Tompion clock
as the clocks go back. Two course breakfast included, £11.00 per
person or £10.00 for Discovery Card holders. Please book a place on
01225 477757.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Attached image: The statue of Julius Caesar at the Roman
Baths
For more information contact: Stephen Clews, Manager at the Roman
Baths, Bath & North East Somerset Council, on 01225 477774 or
email stephen_clews@bathnes.gov.uk
For images contact: Maggie Bone, Museums Publicity Officer on 01225
477736, or email maggie_bone@bathnes.gov.uk