SIGNOR Umberto Vattani, minister at the Italian Embassy in London, paid a five hour visit to Gloucestershire in June 1987 to launch the first ever Roman Cotswold Festival.

The minister officially opened the festival in Gloucester where he was greeted by the Ermine Street Guard before moving on to the Roman Villa at Chedworth and the Corinium Museum in Cirencester.

“I have been most impressed by everything I have seen and fully intend to return to the Cotswolds again,” he said.

“Everyone connected with the festival deserves the highest praise and warmest congratulations.”

Signor Vattani was first taken to the Chedworth’s Roman Villa to enjoy the newly installed exhibit that featured plants introduced to the region by the Romans.

Afterwards, Signor Vattani’s tight schedule concluded in the Corinium Museum where he cut a tape to officially open the peristilium, a reconstructed Roman courtyard garden.

The minister was then taken on a tour of the vast exhibition of Roman artefacts and displays.

“A remarkable museum,” he said.

“Everything is displayed to advantage and it has left me with an everlasting impression.”

Signor Vattani was presented with a copy of the latest museum publication, a book about Roman Gardens.