on diplay SUmmer 2025
Phase One
A prototype sail installed at Salthouse Fields in Clevedon and other events. The sail was on display from 9 July to 25 September 2025
About phase one
Phase One was all be about testing the idea. For this phase we created a prototype sail structure, designed and built in collaboration with with structural engineers, sailmakers, riggers, fabricators and many other experts. A series of workshops, involving local people, led by local artist, Sam Francis produced a wealth of images that for the design of the sail pattern. We based the final design on one of these images.
The structure was on display at Salthouse Fields, Clevedon over the summer.
Phase One will also engaged and consulted with local people about the wider project. An interpretation board with info about the project and links to the website and consultation questionnaire was installed next to the sail.
By involving people who live and work in and around the North Somerset Levels, Phase One aimed to build support from the community & other stakeholders for the roll out the sails across the landscape in Phase Two
complete summer 2025
Prototyping
Central to this phase is designing and building between a prototype sail structure. This has involved working closely with the structural engineers, local fabricators, installation company and local authority safety officers. Through this process we have developed a functional and affordable structure that can be reproduced multiple times for Phase Two. The installation at Salthouse Fields, as well as getting the word out about the project, was also an opportunity to test the structures out in the wind and rain.
Happened SUMMER/ autumn 2024
Sail design workshops
A series of free workshops at local libraries, lead by North Somerset based artist, Sam Francis gave local people of all ages, the opportunity to help develop vivid, designs for the sails. (In phase 2 the sails will be plain white to stand out against the landscape from a distance) The final design for Phase One is based on a sumigashi print that came out of one of the workshops.
happened on 24 july 2025
Launch Event
Come and join us for the launch of the sail sculpture. This will be a chance to see the sail, find out more about the project and talk to the artists behind it.
We will also put up the designs that came out of the sail design workshops from last year and hopefully be joined by some of the people who got involved.
At Salthouse Fields, Clevedon BS21 7XS. Neat the Marine Lake, Play area and Neads a Coffee hut.
CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY
Ribbons / water levels
The coloured ribbons tied around the mast represent different water levels from the past, present and future. The part of Salthouse Files where the mast is installed is 6m above average sea level also known as AOD. The ribbons show the actual height the water levels would be at this location. A sea wall protects the park and town from present day high tides.
Red – Present day average high water on a spring tide – 6.3m AOD
Yellow- Highest recorded astronomical tide (1997) – 7.68 AOD
Green- Current projected 1 in 200 year storm level tide – 8.58m
Blue – Water level reached by great flood of 1607 – 8.9m AOD
Violet – Possible high tide during a storm in year 2125 – 10.05m AOD
