The Legacy of Combe Down Stone Mines
Public Art
English Partnerships approved a sum for the commissioning of public
art in celebration of the completion of the project. Public art
consultants have been appointed to run the public art project and
to manage the engagement with the community, the process of
appointing artists and overseeing the final installations/
activities. It is expected that there will be more than one art
project which may involve temporary pieces, events or activities
and more permanent installations. The public art consultants,
France Lord and Steve Geliot, will be arranging some local
community events over the coming months where you will have the
opportunity to put your opinions forward on the type of public art
that you would like to see. These events will be advertised in the
village. Frances and Steve are based in East Sussex and between
them have a very broad range of experience devising and delivering
public art projects. They have worked together on a number of
projects previously and have a passion for commissioning
imaginative works that respond in a sensitive way to the history of
the particular site. They are looking forward to meeting as many
people from Combe Down as possible, which will help them understand
the context of this project, and develop proposals which are
appropriate to Combe Down. A dedicated email address for the public
art project will be set up soon, in the meantime you can find out
more about their work and also contact them directly through the
following websites:
www.franceslord.com and
www.stevegeliot.com
Combe Down Interpretation Centre and possible underground
experience
English Partnerships own the land formally known as Gammons Yard
on Rock Hall Lane (now Ralph Allen Yard) and plan to develop the
buildings into sustainable housing. Plans drawn up by architects
Nash Partnership were displayed at a public meeting on 15th July
for pre application public comments and further community
consultation will be carried out before a planning application is
submitted. Part of this development includes plans for an
interpretation centre that will tell the story of the project, the
mining history, the local ecology and the important link to Bath.
Part of the interpretation centre will also include community
space. It is hoped that from June - August, (when the bats are not
breeding or hibernating) that an underground experience will also
be offered. It is recognised that for an interpretation centre and
an underground experience in Combe Down to be successful that it
needs to be of a first class, exemplar standard.
The Legacy Group
A group known as The Legacy Group has been set up to oversee the
development of both the public art and the interpretation centre as
well as other end-products of the project such as the reinstatement
of Firs Field. This group is a board of experts that have a wide
range of relevant experience. This steering group includes
representatives from the Combe Down Heritage Society, Friends of
Firs Field, Combe Down Stone Mines Community Association, Bath
museums and local Councillors. We understand that the wider
community will be very interested in hearing the emerging plans for
the Combe Down legacy and we plan to hold an open Legacy group
meeting in the village in the coming months which anyone will be
welcome to attend. This will be advertised in the village and local
groups will receive a direct invite. Please let us know if you are
involved in a local group which you think may be interested
