The accidental Roman villa

There are only three Roman villas in Staffordshire that have been discovered – and one is at Acton Trussell.

Amazingly, it was found by accident when a local archaeology club was seeking for medieval remains.  And, for the past thirty years, that group – the Penk Valley Archaeological Group – has continued to work on the site as best they can.
It’s quite heartening to think that amateurs still can contribute to such major finds.

Members of the group open up the site to visits from the public each weekend, and answer questions about the excavations as well as the history.
This weekend, it was the major event in Staffordshire to mark The Festival of Archaeology.

Link:  Acton Trussell Roman Villa 

Teddy Bears - abandoned

Why these teddy bears are sitting here by the canal - apparently alone and abandoned - is a mystery to me. I passed them on a canal walk at Acton Trussell. There were no signs or possible explanations.

Anglers vs Boaters

On the canal towpath at Acton Trussell, I came across this sign, which made me laugh out loud. I'm guessing, but I think it's part of the endless battle on canals between anglers and the holiday-makers who hire out narrowboats.
I would suppose that some people out fishing on this stretch think that boats which are going too fast, and throwing up a swell, deserve to have bait thrown at them in protest...!
I just wish I'd been there.

The speed limit on canals is four miles an hour, I believe.