All are welcome to a free ‘Kalends of September’ Walk round the huge Trimontium complex at Newstead, including the ‘high spot’ of the Walk on the Leaderfoot Viaduct. Dr John Reid, Chairman of the Trimontium Trust, which is celebrating the centenary of Dr James Curle’s excavation here from 1905 to 1910, will address the troops at 1.30pm at Newstead Millennium Milestone (NT 565 342).

Mr Ian Brown, who takes the weekly Trimontium Walks on Thursdays from April to October (and Tuesdays also in July and August), will guide the Walk, with interludes on the way.

Two Roman senators and a Roman lady, suitably garbed, will accompany the party, and Mr Grant Lees, he of the silver tongue - and Melrose Opera - will mount the rostra and address the plebs from the Leaderfoot Embankment Tower.

The Walk will circle the site and arrive at Newstead Village Hall about 3.30pm, where tea and biscuits will be provided, for which a donation is requested.

Sound shoes are advised for what is a walk of easy grade, consisting of hard stand, one field edge, an old grassed railway line and a farm track/Roman road back to Newstead

The Trimontium Trust runs its activities for all ages from the ‘Three Hills’ Heritage Centre in Melrose Market Square and welcomes applications to join the Garrison of the revived Twentieth Legion.