A NEW assistant manager will help make sure this year's Middlewich Roman Festival is the biggest and best yet. A new post has been created for the festival thanks to cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The six-month job will be shared by Geoff Williams, 64, from King Street, Middlewich, and Dave Thompson, 44, from Chadwick Road in the town. They have been charged with expanding and developing the event. Geoff has been involved in the Roman Middlewich Project since the inaugural festival in 2001. He is a trained Roman Middlewich guide and lives just 200 yards from Harbutt's Field - the site of the Roman Fort. 'When the opportunity came about to take a more active role in the festival, I jumped at it,' he said. 'The history of Roman Middlewich is aweinspiring. As an empire and race of people, the Romans were way ahead of their time. I also feel that the project is doing something for Middlewich that has not been tried before. The town's history has been knocked down and buried, but now we are bringing it back to life.' Dave is keen to boost tourism and bring investment into the town, and will be using experience gained in his other role as festival director for Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival. He said: 'We are very lucky to have two amazing festivals in the town that bring thousands of visitors into the area. 'I am looking forward to the challenge of enhancing the second Roman Festival. The invasion by the Ermine Street Guards is sure to astound everyone. 'They pride themselves on historical accuracy and their re-enactments are fascinating to watch - flashing swords, thundering hooves and extraordinary armour.' Dave, who is also a member of folk band the Middlewich Paddies, works for Amec, an international engineering services company based in Northwich. Geoff worked for truck-maker ERF for almost 40 years and is now retired. He is President of Crewe and District Badminton League and the secretary of Risley Moss Stickmakers. | 
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