Canvey Guides

Artist: Lucy Harrison
Location: Canvey Heights, Canvey Island, Essex

'Canvey Guides' by Lucy Harrison aim was to encourage greater use of Canvey Heights and the other open spaces of Canvey, and to foster interaction between long-term and newer residents of the island.

During the development of her project, Lucy Harrison met many local people, who were keen to show her around the island; take her to social clubs and cafes, along the sea wall or to their houses. They gave her old guidebooks, maps and photographs. As she points out in Bob Roberta Smith's book 'Art U Need - My Part in the Public Art Revolution,'

'I believe there is a generic understanding of local history that bears no real connection to a place's population. The people confirmed this to me by pointing out bits of concrete, bungalows, and scruffy car parks where nightclubs used to stand'

It was these places and stories that Lucy gathered together into a book appropriating the name of an old guidebook, 'Captivating Canvey'. At the launch, contributors, carrying signs made by local sign writer, Bob the Brush, took tourists and visitors to the island on guided tours recounting memories and anecdotes. Lucy also made an audio guide, recorded to sound like a museum guide.

Another aspect of Lucy Harrison's project was the establishment of the 'Rendezvous Club', a walking club that meets at Canvey Heights on the first Sunday of every month, with themes such as Nostalgia, Private Property and Rumour. The participants are encouraged to talk to others they do not yet know and new acquaintances are photographed at the club and sent a print and certificate as a record.

More information about the project can be found at www.canveyguides.com or by following the link on the right.