Earl's Hill is part of Pontesford Hill near the village of Pontesbury in Shropshire. Many legends and customs are associated with the hill and the surrounding area. This website contains information about an art project called 'Know Your Place' which aims to celebrate this unique heritage. The project is part of my work on a foundation degree in Contemporary Art Practice, run jointly by Shrewsbury College and Staffordshire University. During 2013 a number of art works inspired by these ancient customs will be placed temporarily in various locations on and around the hill .
In 2010 the Friends of Pontesford Hill were thwarted in their attempts to buy the hill when the Forestry Commission put it up for sale. Despite having raised over £60,000 from local people to acquire the land they were outbid by a private buyer from Wiltshire, who bought it as an asset for his pension portfolio. Although the new owner allows access, this can be withdrawn at any time and campaigners are now fighting for long-term access to ensure future generations have a legal right to use the site. If you have used the paths over Pontesford Hill in the past, particularly before 1990, your evidence could be helpful in getting Shropshire Council declare them as Public Rights of Way.
In 2010 the Friends of Pontesford Hill were thwarted in their attempts to buy the hill when the Forestry Commission put it up for sale. Despite having raised over £60,000 from local people to acquire the land they were outbid by a private buyer from Wiltshire, who bought it as an asset for his pension portfolio. Although the new owner allows access, this can be withdrawn at any time and campaigners are now fighting for long-term access to ensure future generations have a legal right to use the site. If you have used the paths over Pontesford Hill in the past, particularly before 1990, your evidence could be helpful in getting Shropshire Council declare them as Public Rights of Way.
If you one of the lucky people who found a golden arrow on Earl's Hill please click on the 'Legend of the Golden Arrow' link above.
And if you are just interested in finding out more about the local legends and artwork that has been made as part of the 'Know Your Place' project, please click on the tabs above: 'The Legend of the Golden Arrow','Venus Rising' and 'An Asylum of Cuckoos' . Further pages will be added at various times throughout the year.
You can view other examples of my work at www.billsample.co.uk
Please get in touch via email if you have any comments on the project: [email protected]
Many thanks, Bill Sample
NEW! There is now a short video about the project on Youtube. As with the other links, you may need to copy and paste the address into a new browser window.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yYX8D_fjw0
Please note it has not been possible to establish who has copyright on some of the images used to illustrate the project. If you are the owner of an image and do not wish it to be used, please contact via the email address above.
And if you are just interested in finding out more about the local legends and artwork that has been made as part of the 'Know Your Place' project, please click on the tabs above: 'The Legend of the Golden Arrow','Venus Rising' and 'An Asylum of Cuckoos' . Further pages will be added at various times throughout the year.
You can view other examples of my work at www.billsample.co.uk
Please get in touch via email if you have any comments on the project: [email protected]
Many thanks, Bill Sample
NEW! There is now a short video about the project on Youtube. As with the other links, you may need to copy and paste the address into a new browser window.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yYX8D_fjw0
Please note it has not been possible to establish who has copyright on some of the images used to illustrate the project. If you are the owner of an image and do not wish it to be used, please contact via the email address above.