Stourport Day Book

Client: British Waterways

[2008]

An exploration of the canal basins, through methods that echoed the sensibilities of their original surveying and construction, led to the production of a 'day book' journal of experiences over a period of seven months and four text based 'survey' works using the methods of surveying and measuring I discovered from archive research. Through its distribution and contribution into the restoration programme, the day book aimed to reveal the identity of the basins and influence their legacy as the epicentre of the town.

2007 Day book excerpt:

A walk to Pratt's Wharf. I chose this as I wanted to find where the Staffs and Worcs meets the Stour and its connection with it. There are other connections of stepped overflows and such, but this was a major connection and perhaps would hold clues for me. This section and above shows that dialogue with the Stour, and maybe would reveal Brindley or the under clerk to the canal works - John Fennyhouse Green's sensibilities, in the way that the canal was built in accordance with the land. Mills that used the Stour's power would be visible here maybe through the river's course or mounds of empty earth seen from the towpath. I decided to use John Fennyhouse Green's methodology in sighting the canal as a loose base on how to take photographs and re-see the landforms.

"Mean length from within a yard of the hedge"

"From levelling on upper side to top water on towing side.".

As an extension to this project , I also made and installed lead markers to accompany a guide to the Basins created by the project team.