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Interpretation in Cholera Monument Grounds
Gate Project
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Artist Roger Gibson came up with a design for the new gates that was both contemporary and in keeping with the gothic monument. The gates include translucent panels that echo the colours of the grass and sky, a stainless steel panel on each gate with "Cholera Monument Grounds", gothic arches and 16 stainless steel panels.
The Park Rangers worked with the local community and artist Sam Sherbourne to come up with designs for the panels that reflected the history of the site. In the end it was decided that the left gate would represent the early history of the site, and the right gate modern aspects and memories of the local community.
The panels show:
(left gate)
- 1832 - the time of the cholera outbreak.
- The Crest of the Duke of Norfolk - he donated the site.
- A pump - poor sanitation lead to the outbreak
- Cholera bacteria
- Skull - the people buried on site
- Children - many children died
- Smokey factories - the poor living conditions
- Spring Heeled Jack - a local ghost
(right gate)
- Butterfly - symbol of resurrection and wildlife
- Teaching child to ride a bike - personal memory of local person
- Monument being blown over
- Dogs - the main users of the site are dog walkers
- Holding hands - symbol of friendship / family
- Children playing - as contrast to children dying on other gate
- Cholera map - the disease is still killing people in many parts of the world
- 2004 - when the gates were made
Cobble Project
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Ceramic artist Penny Withers worked with children from All Saints Secondary School and the Park Rangers to design and make this feature. Although there is the monument to represent all of the dead, only 3 people actually have their own gravestones on the site. All of the people buried in Cholera Monument Grounds are now represented on this artwork. Each of the cobbles includes an aspect of one of the people's lives, such as their trade, name or initials.
A 'toposcope' has been designed to explain what features can be seen from the viewpoint by the monument. It also includes information on the history of the site and the neighbouring Shrewsbury Almshouses.
An information board has been designed by the Norfolk Heritage Trail steering group, to go on the stone lectern near the monument. It includes information on Clay Wood as well as the trail itself.
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