Simon English
England Revisited
Summer 1971: Simon English visited 75 points across the country to write the word 'ENGLAND' on England.
Summer 2010: Simon English made a new artwork by revisiting those points.
Observation 1971
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label
Point:
40
Letter:
L
Date visited:
13th August 1971
Flag:
40
On an oak tree near dairy farm north of Stockton Brook on the Leek to Stoke Road
label
Observation 2010
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label
Point:
40
Letter:
L
Date visited:
17th August 2010
Observation:
On the same oak tree as 1971. No trace of pins in the rough bark but the tree is much the same shape as 40 years ago but its larger neighbour, an ash, is now just a rotting stump with a fringe of regrowth. The oak next to the barn seems to have recently been cut down leaving a cleanly cut stump.
The field, on the edge of which these trees stood, is still used to graze cows; on this visit there were half a dozen each with an inquisitive calf. However the farm and its buildings are no longer a small diary.
On the south west corner of the field, where it rises to the sandy wooded ridge there is now a new estate of well proportioned detached houses, Heather Hills, well perhaps not so modern as they were in the process of being built, the roofs were still without tiles.
The south view across the valley looks much the same – fields, hedges and houses. The sunken track or footpath that passes the oak tree is in good condition and is fenced on the north but on the south the small bushes over which, then, one could see the view have grown right up and being Holly and evergreen make the path quite dark.
Points 40 & 41