Get ready to celebrate Chichester District's Big Month

There are lots of exciting events taking place throughout July as part of Chichester District's Big Month including:

• the opening of Chichester District Council's new museum The Novium;
• Natures Way Foods Triathlon and Junior Aquathon;
• the Olympic torch relay travelling through the district;
• a free open day at Westgate Leisure Chichester;
• Love Parks Week; and,
• Chichester District Council's summer of sport.

Cllr Myles Cullen, Cabinet Member for Economy, Property and Tourism at Chichester District Council, says: "This year we are celebrating some key historic moments. This includes the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics, and on a more local basis, the completion of The Novium museum, which is one of the biggest projects the council has ever delivered.

"Chichester District's Big Month aims to celebrate some of these key milestones and more. We start with the opening of The Novium museum, which illustrates the district's rich history and culture. Then we move onto the Olympic Torch Relay, which is visiting seven of our local communities. The following week Westgate Leisure Chichester celebrates its 25^th anniversary by offering a free open day. Add to this numerous sporting events and Love Parks Week, and you have a bumper month full of activities.

"These of course are just some of the wealth of opportunities and attractions that the district has to offer and we hope will help get everyone's summer off to a good start."

The Big Month starts with the opening of The Novium on Sunday 8 July. Located on Tower Street in the centre of Chichester, The Novium will tell the story of the Chichester District over the past 500,000 years. One of the special features of the museum is that it has been purpose built to show the remains of the Roman baths of the city of Noviomagus Reginorum - or Chichester as we now know it. The remains are just one of the many wow factors you will see.

The remains of the baths were found in the 1970s, and lay preserved under a car park until the museum could be built. The remains are now uncovered for visitors to see for the first time and are the main feature on the ground floor.

Also, look out for the curiosities case, the Jupiter Stone, and the Chilgrove Mosaic. Plus, take in the breath-taking views of the cathedral on the second floor, where you can 'touch the view' with chimney pots and cathedral stone placed near the window. You can also search for interesting finds; try on a Roman outfit; and even make your own mosaic!

Then, on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July, keen sportsmen and women - and those who aim to be - have the chance to take part in the Natures Way Foods Chichester Triathlon and Junior Aquathon. The main Triathlon event on the Sunday includes a 600m pool swim at Westgate Leisure Chichester, a 42km (26 mile) cycle ride and a 10km (six mile) run. If you don't feel like tackling those distances on your own, you can also enter as part of a team. Alongside the main Triathlon event, there will be the Natures Way Foods Chichester Try a Tri event. This is a sprint triathlon suitable for competitors who prefer a shorter distance triathlon involving a 400m pool swim, 30k bike ride and a 5k run.

The Junior Aquathon is for competitors between eight and 16. It will include a swimming race at Westgate Leisure Chichester, followed by a race around Chichester College's campus. The distance set for junior competitors will be dependent upon their age.

On Monday 16 July the Olympic Torch will travel through Rogate, Midhurst, Easebourne, Tillington, Petworth, Duncton and Chichester. A map with start times for each location and top tips for the day can be found on the council's London 2012 page on its website. Please note that you will only be able to see the torch and the torchbearers in the seven communities identified. The rest of the time, the torch will be travelling in a vehicle to the next community.

Love Parks Week will be held from Saturday 21 - Sunday 29 July. To celebrate, a plant sale and picnic will be held in Bishop's Palace Gardens, Chichester, on Wednesday 25 July. To find out more, contact Chichester District Council's Parks Team. 

Westgate Leisure Chichester is holding a free open day from 9am-5pm on Sunday 22 July to celebrate their 25^th anniversary. You can take part in free swimming, badminton, squash, table tennis, bouncy castle, soft play, taster classes, and more. To find out more, you can contact Westgate Leisure Chichester.

And finally, from 24 July onwards, the council has an exciting summer of sport programme. This includes:

• Rugby in the Community courses from 24 July;
• Football in the Community courses from 26 July;
• Sport and Play Pop Ups from 23 July; and,
• lots of activities run by Westgate Leisure, including trampolining, Walterwalkerz, fencing, gymnastics and snorkelling.

There is also a range of other events and activities on the council's website, including the Chichester Festivities and the celebration of Tangmere Military Aviation Museum. This is also a busy year for Chichester Festival Theatre, as they are celebrating their 50^th anniversary. For details of what's on, go to their website.

To find out more about Chichester District's Big Month:

• go to our Big Month webpage;
• 'like' the council on Facebook (Chichester District Council);
• tweet with the council on Twitter (ChichesterDC); and
• sign up to the council's email newsletter by emailing the Public Relations Team.

Date: 31 May 2012

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