Thursday, 16th October was our final Members’ evening of 2025 and was an EXTRA event requested by our Members – and what an evening! Romans, Rutland and the Rowell Fair Raffle! What’s not to love! 👍😁

If you couldn’t get there, here’s what you missed…

Welcome!

At just after 8pm, Paul Johnson (President, Rowell Fair Society) welcomed an impressive number of attendees to this very special evening and handed over to Sue Johnson (Secretary, Rowell Fair Society) who explained the details of the evening ahead, introducing our guest speaker for the evening – Jim Irvine.

In an unapologetic plug for the Rowell Fair Society’s ongoing fundraising activities, Sue also reminded us of the availability of the new Rowell Fair badges and our 2025 bespoke limited edition insulated coffee mug.

Guest Speaker – Jim Irvine CEng FIMechE

Jim is a Farmer’s son (and Engineer) living in Rutland who made a fascinating – and accidental – discovery, that would lead to local fame and global interest! 👍.

Jim took us back in time to June 2020 and Lockdown! With his family, including his Farmer Father, like many others he was making the most of the restrictions imposed, and was out walking on the family farm.

He explained that a chance encounter with – and escape from – a swarm of angry bees on their circular journey around the area, as part of their daily ‘lockdown exercise’ led him and his family to a discovery that would change their lives forever!

In the first part of Jim’s amazing story, he outlined the eventual discovery of what is now referred to as the ‘Rutland Roman Villa’, but at the time looked like the remains of ‘just’ a small mosaic. Jim, fascinated by what he had seen turned to Google Earth in June 2018 to reveal never-seen-before cropmarks, and using LIDAR revealed what might be hidden beneath the surface. If you’re not familiar with LIDAR, it’s a technology that is even available for the humble smartphone and is explained HERE.

This was turning into a good old-fashioned mystery! Due to record rainfall, the field had previously flooded and further digging eventually revealed the image of a foot... and eventually much more! Wow! 😮

Copyright, prevents us from displaying the official images, but you can see what was eventually uncovered HERE on Historic England’s website and the background to the find is well documented HERE on Wikipedia.

In a series of detailed slides, Jim revealed that after reporting his find, the location became the centre of attention to many bodies, including the well-known Professor Alice Roberts and TV’s ‘Digging for Britain’ series, the University of Leicester, Rutland County Council and of course, Historic England. Jim’s slides revealed a vast area of Roman remains as he continued to literally ‘lend a hand’ as the area slowly gave up its secrets.

As Part 1 of Jim’s talk came to a close, looking around the room, it was clear that Jim had us all hooked on his story.

After a short break for refreshments, where our Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor, Frank York promoted the Rowell Fair Raffle, Jim was back, bringing us fully up-to-date with the life-changing discovery. The mosaic eventually revealed scenes from Achilles’ battle with Hector in the Trojan War – but this in turn inspired another mystery about its origin.

By 9.30, it was sadly, all over. Jim mentioned that his book was available on Amazon that recounted the story of this historic find in more detail – more information and a free sample is HERE. In a fitting end to this tale of an accidental hero, the site has now been given scheduled monument status (more details HERE. Ironically, Jim commented that this means that his Father can no longer farm in that spot! 🤔

Thanks Jim, from all of at the Rowell Fair Society! 👏👏

Break & Notices

During the break, Sue Johnson reminded us all of forthcoming diary dates including:-

• The Rowell Fair AGM 2026 – 11 February
• The Rothwell Royal British Legion (RBL) – Great breakfast choices usually on the first Saturday of the Month at the Methodist Church
• The Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre – 15 November – Christmas Market Fayre
• The Christmas Tree Festival – 5-8 December
• The Rothwell RBL Branch Meeting – 30 October – Our Bailiff who is the guest speaker

The Rowell Fair Society Raffle

With the Winners rewarded, another RFS Member’s Evening came to a close for what had been a thoroughly engaging presentation by Jim – discovering the most important mosaic discovery in a hundred years!

Closing Words…

Frank York brought the evening to a close by thanking everyone for attending. The very entertaining and engaging presentation by Jim Irvine and the high turnout had made this another RFS Members’ Evening to remember!

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