One map of the site shows allotments in the wooded area to the east of the site, maybe as part of the war effort.
The 1914 OS has scrub and small trees marked in the area, and the 1938 onwards OS maps have enclosures marked on the south side of the entrance area. There are certainly various records of commercial (i.e. Shell Mex) compounds here (and there is also evidence of these on the ground in the form of low walls, etc.). This would support the more mature line of trees to the northern edge.
Showing posts with label LAND | ecology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LAND | ecology. Show all posts
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Monday, 19 April 2010
Various
Hadn't realised that Francis J. Field was in such (geographical) proximity to the site.
Rather than being a gap between all these interesting goings on, the site was at the heart of all these things and binds together places such as America and Richmond Road.
The sifting is bringing larger things to the fore. When you read through the list of the postal depot sections, it's all standard stuff until you get to deceased and casualties.
The site boundary is really interesting and puts the site at an edge position, but when taking the bigger picture, it becomes central.
From the Francis J. Field material, in addition to words, actions, and mail art, there is an aesthetic coming through in the design and colouring of labels and stamps that can filter through into the whole project.
And the purple lines too that signify a switch from air to surface mail. The site is also about a switch from rail to road.
Rather than being a gap between all these interesting goings on, the site was at the heart of all these things and binds together places such as America and Richmond Road.
The sifting is bringing larger things to the fore. When you read through the list of the postal depot sections, it's all standard stuff until you get to deceased and casualties.
The site boundary is really interesting and puts the site at an edge position, but when taking the bigger picture, it becomes central.
From the Francis J. Field material, in addition to words, actions, and mail art, there is an aesthetic coming through in the design and colouring of labels and stamps that can filter through into the whole project.
And the purple lines too that signify a switch from air to surface mail. The site is also about a switch from rail to road.
Friday, 2 April 2010
Repository
Agree with the website as a repository for findings but should it remain something that could be chanced upon or do we advertise it through various fora, local media, etc.? Like the idea that the website becomes a sorting office in itself, filling up with all manner of information and then we direct it to where that knowledge is required.
From reading LfV the main thing to glean is the thorough integration of the Americans into the life and landscape of Sutton Coldfield (not always welcome but the book on the whole does make it sound quite rosy at times). This firmly supports the need for the work to spread out from the site. What about a treasure trail of things that could be visited / collected with the idea of letterboxing in mind, see: http://www.dartmoorletterboxing.org. Participants could collect the 'stamps' to get a reward. The stamp designs being artworks in themselves.
Keen (as always!) to bring in the natural history side of things and feel that there are a few options at the wooded end of the site. Maybe as simple as putting allotments back there for rental by people who live on the development. But this area could also act as a bridge to the theme of the Park.
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