18 NATURE
Sounding out doggy answers
Kim Hammond on sending sonic postcards from Wells-next-the-Sea
S
onic postcards are sound files or ‘tracks’ that bring together diverse voices and sounds into what might be thought of as a conversation and reflection about a particular topic and the themes and issues it raises. When we listen to the postcards, we can hear those conversations and sounds, and think about the ideas, problems, evidence and solutions presented, or about the ques- tions raised. Sounding Wells is an arts-based col- laboration between Wells Maltings, the Norfolk Coast Partnership, a team of Open University geographers, sound art- ist Rebecca Lee and the residents of, and visitors to, Wells-next-the-Sea and the Norfolk coast. The project brings people together to reflect on the social and envi- ronmental changes in the area. What can we tell the world about the past, present and future changes to life on this coast? What are the challenges and opportuni- ties for the people and wildlife visiting and resident here?
Our first topic is a sonic postcard about our canine friends – dogs. As we quickly discovered, dogs can lead us into almost all of the pressing issues of life here.
Sound art
In a previous project – Sounding Coastal Change – sound
artist Lona Kozik
made a set of sound art pieces inspired by explorations of Blakeney, its peo- ple and their stories of life on the coast. These ‘Blakeney sonic postcards’ can be heard at
www.soundingcoastalchange. org. This follow on project will make a new set of sonic postcards based on the various themes and stories that emerge from collaborations, conversations and reflections with people in and around Wells. We will include people of Wells
past, from local history and from the Wells oral history archives.
There are many different possible human voices: different kinds of people talking, walking, driving; doing differ- ent things, and all with different views. There are children, young adults, adults, parents, senior citizens, different ethnic groups, past archive voices, historical texts voiced, people who live and work on the coast, visitors, newcomers, bird watchers, land owners, shop keepers, chefs, waitresses, fishermen, hoteliers, conservationists… so many voices. Then there are direct environmental sounds which may be used to contribute to the conversation: dogs barking, the sea, foot- steps, the wind, the wind farm, machin- ery, boats, signals, sirens, cars, buses. Environmental data can also be trans- lated into sound – so called ‘sonification’, to make data audible, such as visitor footfall, seal population numbers, bird migrations, nesting pairs or tidal surge events. The ‘voices’ – data, facts, people, sounds – can all be brought into, heard, in the same sonic register.
Wells Maltings
These sonic postcards will be on per- manent exhibition in the Wells Malt- ings Heritage Centre, and can be sent out to the world as postcards from Wells. Wells Maltings is an important cultural hub, and provides forums for debate and discussion about the opportunities and challenges faced by the local coastal community. Some of the challenges are shared national issues: lack of affordable homes, low employment opportunities, low wages, poor rural transport links. Other are specific to life on the coast: for example rising sea levels and associated storm surges and habitat loss caused by climate change, or visitor pressure
Dear dog owner: When visiting the coast thank you for:
Obeying rules for dog access and keeping your dog under control.
Cleaning up after your dog and disposing of poo bags responsibly.
Ensuring your dog doesn’t frighten people, especially children, or disturb wildlife or livestock.
Never leaving your dog in a car, even for a short period.
Thank you The Norfolk Coast
on vulnerable habitats and biodiversity. Facing up to these challenges will con- cern people of all ages. Sounding Wells hopes to contribute to this developing environmental agenda by inviting vol- unteers and school groups to think about how the coast is changing and how local heritage and experience can help us pre- pare and plan for the future.
To find out more or get involved follow us on twitter @soundingwells, contact us at
kim.hammond@open.ac.uk or visit
www.wellsmaltings.org.uk
Kim Hammond is a research associate at the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Open University.
#2minute beach clean
Bring your own bag and gloves when you go out this year and help keep the coast tidy. #2minutebeachclean boards, which encourage people to spend 2 (or more) minutes picking up marine litter and plastic pollution, are positioned around the coast and each has a guardian who looks after it day to day. Use the #2minutebeachclean tag on social media to spread
the word and tag us too if you’ve taken part within the AONB on @NorfolkAONB The #2 Minute Team had to withdraw their stations during
the coronavirus outbreak to minimise the risk of infection, so bring your own bag this year. And take care when picking up rubbish – sanitize your hands.
https://beachclean.net/
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