A CUMBRIAN legal firm has welcomed a Roman Soldier to their ranks to mark the 1900th anniversary of Hadrian’s Wall.

Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, which has offices close to the famous landmark in Brampton, Haltwhistle and Carlisle, commissioned Cumbrian artist Emily Bailey to create Cartmell Cornelius to help celebrate the iconic World Heritage Site’s 1900 Festival.

The hand-made puppet can be spotted out and about on Hadrian’s Wall during the year-long festival, with his adventures and educational posts featuring on the legal firm’s social media channels and website.

When not roaming the countryside along the Wall, Cartmell Cornelius will reside in the window of Cartmell Shepherd’s Haltwhistle office which has been decorated by Cumbrian artist Katy Leese. 

Carol Fish, who is marketing and business development director at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said: “Being located so close to such a fantastic landmark as Hadrian’s Wall, we felt it was important to mark the 1,900th anniversary and commissioning Emily to create our very own Roman soldier puppet is a great way to promote our local area and to encourage families in our community and visitors to the Wall to take part.

“We’re always keen to support community initiatives and local talent so this fun project delivers on both counts for us. We’re looking forward to sharing Cartmell Cornelius’ adventures this year at landmarks along the Wall.”

As part of the celebrations, children aged between four and 11 years old are being invited to enter a free competition to win the puppet by drawing a picture of Cartmell Cornelius. The winning drawing, which will be voted for by the public via social media, will be displayed in the window of the Haltwhistle office for the rest of the festival. 

As well as winning the puppet which is a collector’s item, the lucky recipient will also receive a family day pass to a visitor attraction along Hadrian’s Wall. Runners up will also receive some Roman related goodies.

Entries can be handed in to any of Cartmell Shepherd’s six offices at Brampton, Haltwhistle, Penrith, Cockermouth, the head office on Victoria Viaduct in Carlisle, and its base at Rosehill, Carlisle. Alternatively the drawing can be posted to Cartmell Cornelius Competition, Cartmell Shepherd, Viaduct House, Victoria Viaduct, Carlisle CA3 8EZ.

Cartmell Shepherd approached Emily to make the puppet after sponsoring her final year university project in which she created a collection of puppets to promote local shops in Cockermouth.

Emily, who is originally from Maryport, drew inspiration from the Roman history of her hometown for the puppet. Maryport is the site of a Roman fort, and home to the Senhouse Roman Museum which has the largest collection of military altar stones in Britain.

Emily said: “I was really excited to be asked to be involved in this project because of growing up in Maryport and knowing its Roman heritage.

“I visited Senhouse Roman Museum for inspiration and researched how the puppet would look, and what he would wear.”

The puppet took approximately 40 hours to create using a combination of wire, putty, foam and clay.

For more details about the competition and for terms and conditions visit https://www.cartmells.co.uk/cartmell-cornelius-competition/

The Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival celebrates the beginning of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. The festival runs until December 23, 2022 and includes events and activities along the UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more information visit https://1900.hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/

To follow Cartmell Cornelius on social media follow Cartmell Shepherd on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin or visit the website at www.cartmells.co.uk