FLAG FEN ARENA PLANS IN NEED OF FUNDING

Artists impression of new Arena at Flag Fen

A successful series of events held throughout the year at the world-renowned Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre drew in more than 5,000 people and plans are now underway to develop a specific Events Arena at the site.

Phase 1 of the Arena was completed earlier in the year with funding assistance from Anglian Water. This provided for a turfed arena set within a dried out lake at the famous site in which to house the spectacular gladiatorial combats held in May by Britannia and the highly acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet by Theatre company Roar! in August. Since then, the scope for developing the Arena has proved highly desirable.

Former General Manager of Flag Fen, Toby Fox, said “We received planning permission to develop an Events Arena in a dried out lake at the site back in May and we were able to complete the first phase of work in time for some of our summer events. However, the overall plan is to construct three sets of terraced seating around the bowl that should allow us to seat in the region of 600 to 800 people. This really allows great potential to have a wider series of events or Open Air theatre performances at Flag Fen in the future.”

Flag Fen are already being contacted by various companies wanting to perform in the Arena in 2005 and following the huge success of Roar’s Romeo and Juliet earlier in the year, the site is being critically acclaimed as rapidly developing into one of Peterborough’s foremost Open Air venues.

To try and capitalise on this, Flag Fen are now seeking funding to the tune of £80,000 to complete the works on the arena. Operators are currently exploring possible sources of financial assistance.

Toby Fox added “The potential for the arena is fantastic. Not only should we be able to hold larger events related to historical periods at Flag Fen, but we should also be able to open greater doors to the arts at this fantastic Open Air venue.”

If funding is found soon, Flag Fen hope to complete the works during the winter period in plenty of time for the summer programme of events.

Anyone interested in assisting with funding should contact Flag Fen on 01733 313414.

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