Monday, 29 October 2007

Bexhill, the place, the culture...

Tut, Tut, I missed a couple of weeks, so much for good intentions...

We have three weeks to get this group work done, which looks like a huge task. Well it is, but as long as we stay focused on the main goals we should be OK.
(Fingers crossed)

Can I ask you to add to this blog anything you have done or found out about Bexhill which may be of interest or help to the group. Don't forget to add to your own aswell!

Good luck!

Tuesday, 9 October 2007

On the road to...

...nowhere, it seems. Or at least that's the story with Jamie's car. So much for these Master Plans! I must admit I was surprised to see him arrive as soon as he did. Great effort and well done the RAC.

So we're on the road to Bexhill, the birthplace of British motor sport, BMXing and wall toppling. Having seen the first 'garden' I'm quite excited about getting my teeth into the project. If we had gone today, in the wet stuff, I may not be thinking the same thing. Lets hope this Indian Summer they have promised us starts next Monday.

Last weeks exercise of drawing sounds and doing our first sketch design gives us an idea on how we will need to be on our toes each week. I will need to strike the right balance between the overall scheme and the detailing. Something Bexhill appears to have wrong. I give the example of the coffee shop in the De La Warr Pavilion. We are told that there is a population of 38% over 60 in Bexhill and I'm sure the pavilion want to target their patronage. So why do they only sell cakes such as shortbread, flack jacks and scones better described as a cross between a rock cake and a sandstone pebble. I'm not getting free bus rides, yet, but even I need to be able to bite into a cake without fear! Some nice sponge cakes and apple pie would be getting the balance right, I think.

Of course the same can be said about the park we visited. Steps and the lack of slopes come to mind. This brings me to our new sketch design project and the need to mix ultra modern with the sleepiness (or sleaziness) of Bexhill. Has anyone got an idea of what Bexhill's sleepiness is? Is it just an attitude of not being bothered, bored or the acceptance of things won't change. This could be said about all the age groups from many seaside towns. Give it it's due Bexhill is much better than places like Clifftonville. There it's so boring the paint can't be bothered to stick to the walls. I do see a certain amount of pride in the maintenance of the houses and gardens around the park. I think it's at local government level where things look tight on the budget side. The need for a standard foot way policy is a must for starters. Maybe they are hoping that 38% are stuck in doors.

So there's lots to be getting on with before our visit to St Leonard's next week. I will try and practice my sketches. I have been trying to draw the sound of a car pushing it's piston rods through the engine casing. So far I can only see it in colour, blue...

Monday, 1 October 2007

The road is paved with good intention...

Well the day has arrived and before we know it we'll be facing judgement day.
In the meantime, I'll try and be a good boy and do some blogging.

I don't know what you felt about today but I have mixed feelings.
I'm glad we have started but wonder what we are in for.
Time will tell...