Aberbeeg, community way finding.

2008, Safle

A community wayfinding and research project exploring the ex- mining village of Aberbeeg. I worked with the community to record their stories, memories and aspirations for the future. Together we mapped a number of new walks around the valley. The project was an audio guide narrated by villigers and a co-designed map.

What was interesting about this project- was that everyone bemoaned the loss of the mines, even people too young to have remembered that history, a sense of loss had become part of the culture of the village. Through the project we started to explore what the village had gained through the closure of the mines. Nature recovery. Peace and being able to walk in beautiful landscapes, clean aire, improved health and wellbeing- (despite economic hardship that followed the loss of the mines) emerged as clear gains.