Wednesday 26 November 2025 7.30pm THERE IS NO NEED TO BOOK
Come to our November talk to learn more about the amazing discoveries at Vindolanda and its sister site, Magna, a few miles to the west, which have opened up a true window on Roman life in our region almost two millennia ago.
Our Speaker
David Goldwater was born in Newcastle in 1942 and has always lived in this area. As a boy, he was inspired by his father’s passionate interest in ‘Res Romanes’ (Things Roman) and learnt from him all about the excavations carried out in the early and mid 20th century.
The lure of Hadrian’s Wall and its Roman camps led to many family expeditions along its length, particularly in the area of Housesteads and, slightly to the South, Vindolanda, where Eric Birley began his excavations in the 1920s. Later, when Eric and his son Robin Birley set up the Vindolanda Trust in the early 1970s, David and his wife were early supporters.
When their younger son Adam decided on an archaeological degree at Nottingham University, David was delighted that the family interest was ongoing and Adam, together with a close student friend, excavated with Robin Birley at Vindolanda in the late 1990s. David became a volunteer excavator at Vindolanda in the early 2000s and was witness to many amazing discoveries under the direction of Robin and later his son, Andrew, together with Justin Blake.
Our Venue
This event will take place at St George’s United Reformed Church on Newton Road, High Heaton NE7 7HP. It is on the corner with Boundary Gardens, the same block as Heaton Stannington’s football ground, Willow (formerly Grounsell) Park.
There are excellent public transport links including the numbers 18, 38, 52 and 553, which stop right by the church.
There is car parking on the surrounding streets.
Booking
The event is free to Heaton History Group members and costs £2.50 for non-members. There’s no need to book. Just turn up on the night.
