This was a joint series between Glossop and Longdendale Archaeology Society (GLAS) and Glossop Heritage Trust. This series was first published on Facebook in October and November 2021.
The Roman fort at Gamesley, now called Melandra (although not by the Romans – we’re not sure what they called it) is by far the town’s most important historical site, and the best-preserved Roman fort in the region.
It was once well-known locally, but how many of today’s residents are aware of it and have been to see it, let alone tourists driving through? Over the next six weeks we will look at why it was built; at the efforts of archaeologists over the last 120 years to find out more about it; and the things they dug up and where they are now.
We will also describe the plans in the early 1970s to make it a tourist attraction, and what happened to them, and chart its decline over the last 30 years to the point where it’s now one of the 10% of ancient monuments officially “at risk” – and the only one in the High Peak.
Finally, we will look at recent efforts to turn things round, and will ask whether the 1970s vision could still be achieved, and if so what it would take to bring it about.