Evolving interpretation

In front of the chalk face a series of signs stretch across the entire site, warning ‘DANGER – FALLING ROCKS – KEEP AWAY. Six out of ten have been removed or defaced and the remaining four have all been used for target practice with stones. Although the signs have come under sustained attack they are quite resilient and resist rough treatment well.

The Evolving Interpretation Concept uses the existing signs to reveal the history and ecology of the site, replacing those that have been damaged with newly painted signs that illustrate a particular aspect of the Chalk Pit.

The new signs would know doubt receive the same treatment as the current ones, being defaced and removed. When one of the new signs becomes damaged or defaced beyond repair it would be replaced by another sign that illustrates a different aspect of the sites history or ecology.
It would be my intention to make the initial signs and do a workshop with local residents so that they had the necessary skills to take over as artists and guardians of the signs in the long term.
Helping young people gain a broader understanding of the Chalk Pit was considered important to all of the older generation that I spoke to and was popular with the 8-14 year old as well. Although I think there should always be 3 or 4 signs that warn of danger the Evolving Interpretation will provide an opportunity to learn about the site and not just be fearful of it.