How signs should be written....

From the footpath passing by Stoneyhurst College is an example of how signs should be written. It is polite, courteous and treats the passer-by as an adult. Rather than the usual abrupt and peremptory signs that little public spaces a few more like this would be welcome.

So Yorkshire Sculpture Park - do take note!

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Yorkshire Sculpture Park - why all the bossy signs?

Yorkshire Sculpture Park ought to be a fantastic, exciting place - great art in a parkland setting, how could that be topped (although I really don't get Barbara Hepworth's 'Family of Man').

But, in that way only public sector officialdom can achieve, the management of this place seem to wallow in bossy signs:

"Strictly no climbing!"

"No climbing picnics or dogs"

"Conservation area, NO PUBLIC ACCESS"

Now unless this is some curious installation - littering the place with hundreds of officious signs might in some deranged mind be called art - it is an example of how not to communicate with the public. Bossy, ordering, controlling - just what we expect from government bodies. And really sad since it rather interfered with my pleasure and enjoyment.

Customer service means giving not removing permission. And if you'd rather people didn't do something ask politely - you know with those words "please" and "thank you" - and explain why. Something like -"this is a rare and delicate tree than might be damaged if children climbed it".

And one other thing - if you have a cafe that serves salad (good), make sure it has some salt for heaven's sake!

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An approaching unintended consequence?

As part of a blizzard of populist (and in many cases welcome) announcements, the wonderful Eric Pickles has call on councils to cut down on street clutter:

"Our streets are losing their English character. We are being overrun by scruffy signs, bossy bollards, patchwork paving and railed-off roads - wasting taxpayers' money that could be better spent on fixing potholes or keeping council tax down. We need to 'cut the clutter'.

"Too many overly cautious town hall officials are citing safety regulations as the reason for cluttering up our streets with an obstacle course when the truth is very little is dictated by law. Common sense tells us uncluttered streets have a fresher, freer, authentic feel, which are safer and easier to maintain."

All very good and very welcome but please note this:

Ludlow traders who have been asked to remove pavement billboards today revealed they could launch a legal challenge to the move, claiming it could lead to their businesses closing.

Right. And Mr. Pickles’ well meaning announcement simply adds more to the Councils’ campaigns again harmless and innocent signing by traders. In Ludlow it seems to be a nice little earner. Here’s one trader (who runs a very nice little cook shop):

“They’ve sent letters to some businesses asking them to remove A-boards voluntarily, but then they will remove them, charge us £10 a day for storage and may destroy them after 28 days, so it’s voluntary, but with a gun to your head.”

We can expect council officers to use Eric’s good intentions (targeted at the proliferation of council installed signs) as a further justification for stopping the use of A-boards. And as ever there will be an anonymous ‘local resident’ to raise ‘concerns’ with the Council justifying their actions!

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Are they trying to get something across here?