26 Apr 2010

Fallago Rig Enquiry- Court Reporter!



 
So this has been my distraction for a wee bit. Our local community has just gone through a public enquiry, fighting the encroachment of yet another windfarm on our hills. We've currently got the highest concentration of windfarms in the UK in an area 26x15 kilometres wide, (currently standing at 464 either constructed, consented or in planning) so we're trying to stem the flood of 48 more from entering the wee haven of moorland in the middle. So, our two plucky local community council members (along with a landowners group) were up against the Ministry of Defence, the Developers, and Government planning.  Its also a battle between two Dukes - Northumberland and Roxburgh just to spice things up a bit. I couldn't get to see the drama every day (which there was quite a bit I hear), but the days I was there I managed to turn myself into a court reporter.
 
 
There has been controversy aplenty, with Freedom of Information acts revealing secret meetings between ministers, developers and land owners and  the developer's photos being passed off as recent, when in fact they were taken in 2007, trying to negate the effects of cumulative impact.
 
So, sketchbook was out while I was trying to following the various sides, and sometimes it got too technical so I ended up drawing the faces and shoes of Joe Public.
 
And discovered a very smart man in front of me wearing a pair of Mr Men socks which pleased me no end. Little things.


   
So, don't quite think I'm up to being a bona fide courtroom artist as you're not allowed to sketch from life but only take handwritten notes, but this was an interesting experience anyway. We're all now waiting with baited breath to hear back from the Reporter as to whether we've been successful or not. It really felt like a battle of David and Goliath proportions. Watch this space....


17 comments:

  1. Wow! These drawings are incredible!

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  2. Well done! You can tell by the expressions on the faces of the people how they were feeling about things! BTW, what are "Mr Men" sox? nancy

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  3. Nice collection. Looks like you spent plenty of time at the meetings. Hope that you were successful in the appeal.

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  4. Beautiful collection of sketches.

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  5. Wow, these are really well done. i am sure they represent lots of time sitting in meetings! I wish you well in your cause.

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  6. These are beautiful, every one!! Makes me wish we had a meeting needing to be attended! And I have to add to the inquiry, what are men sox?

    I've also wondered about the effects of the windmills. They seem to be quickly approaching my area too!

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  7. Very nice set of sketches Catriona!

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  8. fantastic sketches! =) So full of life!

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  9. Hey thanks guys, and Mr Men are little cartoon characters, with different characteristics like Mr Grumpy, Mr Tickle etc etc, I guess from the UK, here is their site if you fancy a gander: http://www.mrmen.com/

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  10. Great use of time and lovely sketches. - all of those people, but I love the drawings of shoes as it is so different to see so many on one page. Did anyone ask you about your sketches while you were there?

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  11. These are great drawings, I especially like the once with the shoes... Its funny to between all teh faces, no one ever really thinks of looking down and the what the feet are doing while court is in action. Well done.

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  12. I love these sketches, especially all the shoes.

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  13. These are excellent sketches! You really captured the feel of the event - love the first one, especially.

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  14. These drawings are just wonderful! I'm so glad that you posted them together because they make such a wonderful series - especially with the feet page inserted. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Lots of good art here. Glad you were able to use the time constructively.

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  16. It suddenly dawned on me the other day what these reminded me of – a modern twist on Hogarth! Fabulous. . .

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