Since the misty dawn of British civilisation, Suffolk has been shaped, at times quite literally, by a number of foreign and domestic influences. The beautiful estuaries of the Suffolk broads were long believed to be natural features of the landscape. However, more recent evidence has suggested that they are in fact part of an early Roman influence on our natural environment.

The Romans began excavating the area for the rich peat beds to use for fuel and eventually, when the sea levels rose, the trenches became permanently flooded, ultimately creating the wet marshlands, reed beds and river inlets that are enjoyed today.

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BOYHOOD dreams of unearthing buried treasure came true for one Silloth amateur archeologist.

Graham Ryan, of Beckfoot, discovered a silver Roman jug handle on the beach close to his home that could be around 1900 years old according to experts from the British Museum. Mr Ryan, 63, made the lucky find while out sweeping the beach with his metal detector.

He said: “I think from being a boy, I always thought I’d find treasure.”

A keen member of the Senhouse Museum Archaeology Society, Mr Ryan is often to be found exploring the site of the Roman fort.

It once formed part of the western sea defences, a line of forts and watch towers strung along the north-western coastline of Cumbria.

Mr Ryan said the history of the settlement, known in Roman times as Bibra, is a big draw for those hoping to find artefacts from the past. I went into metal detecting to add another string to my bow. Beckfoot has a cemetery and with the soil erosion I have found cremation urns too.

PUPILS enjoyed a taste of ancient times with the visit of a Roman centurion.

Children at Castlecombe Primary School, Castlecombe Road, Mottingham, came into school dressed in togas to meet Roman Marcus Secundus.

The centurion tours schools in the area teaching youngsters about Roman times.