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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Point:
66
Letter:
D
Date visited:
18th September 1971
Flag:
On a birch tree on the heath land 1 mile north of Chobham. Near electricity pylon where the M3 is being extended.
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Observation 2010
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label
Point:
66
Letter:
D
Date visited:
13th September 2010
Observation:
On a silver Birch tree on Chobham Common.
Not the same birch as 1971. All those trees have been cut down and chipped by the wardens’ effort to maintain an open heathland from encroachment by Scot’s pine and birch from the surrounding woods. The decaying stumps are still there and young trees have grown up to a comparable height to those in 1971.
By constant maintenance by wardens and volunteers the scene looks the same now as then. A landscape of mixed heathers with a rich and interesting flora and fauna, (I saw my first Adder there).
To the north the electricity line, running east west, is supported by the same pylon. Beyond this the M3 can be seen, this is a noisy new feature but on the horizon the big stand of Scot’s pine is still visible.
Points 66 & 67