£6,000 artwork project to make the most of Long Sutton’s Common Pit

A £6,000 project to transform Long Sutton’s Common Pit and showcase the town as “the gateway to The Wash” is under way.

One of the installations will be a boat with this image (as per the outline of its hull) demonstrating Long Sutton as ‘the gateway to The Wash’.

It’s part of arts programme Transported’s “On Your Doorstep” project. People were asked to nominate areas they thought could be improved with some artistic input and Transported could work with them to make it happen. Long Sutton and District Civic Society nominated the pit, next to The Olde Ship Inn in London Road.

At the pit are (from left) Transported’s Kristina Taylor, with Tim Machin, Wendy Jeffries, Roberta Ashton, Jim Conlay and David Jeffries (all Long Sutton and District Civic Society).

Visual artist Robyn Woolston has been commissioned to develop a series of artworks for the site, with a theme of The Wash.

Transported said: “It will concentrate upon the cartography, geography and the history of Long Sutton Common Pit alongside its surrounding ecosystem. There will be (dependent on planning permissions) a new, relocated interpretation sign at the pit’s entrance.
“Within the pit itself, a series of sculptural interventions echoing maritime signs, symbols and heritage will be installed. This will also include a boat shaped insect hotel, bird boxes and platforms, which aim to improve and support the ecosystem there.”

The project, named The Imaginarium of Common Understanding, has involved Robyn working with the civic society, and the rest of the community in the town.
A series of consultation events were held to gauge feelings towards the pit and gather suggestions. More than 350 people gave views via the sessions and workshops, social media and data collection postcards.

Tim Machin, chairman of Long Sutton and District Civic Society, said: “The society is delighted to be working with Transported and Robyn Woolston in this project to make the pit an even more enjoyable place to visit.
“The artwork installation has been inspired by and chosen in wide consultation with the community as a whole and we hope that they will enjoy visiting the Common Pit for many years to come.”

An unveiling event is set to take place on Saturday, April 11 (2pm-4pm).
To follow the project online, visit the blog at http://transportedimaginarium.tumblr.com/.