16th February 2007, 01:33 PM
I think we've been very lucky, as many of our digs are away from the public, but the few that have not were close to tourist centres. The notion of the 'commitment to educate' is very strong in our outfit and so we always mke sure one person is on the PR shift, which is useful for Repetitive Trowel Injury. It's turned into a bit of a travelling show of late. Telling the public about where they are, what sort of stuff has been uncovered in the past and letting them see what people are doing through the fencing and - more importantly - explaining what it is. A few pictures, a hundred photocopied handouts, a site diagram and the ability to answer questions goes a massive way I think.
At what cost? Unless you're in a huge rush or have a very small crew working, there's always someone who can take a coffee break talking to the odd person in an anorak the lumbers in through the mist.
Last year we did some Work in Italy and the local Arch society turned up and provided volunteers to do it for us. In return, their getting access to the site, seeing what came out and what stayed in was a reward they treeasured.
Involving the local amateurs gives the residents a sense of ownership, gives them perspective over where they live, provides local schools with interest and benefits.
And yes, there's the downside - which I suspect you suffer more in the UK than most other places; the irritants and the ASBO's waiting to happen. For that, I have no suggestion.
If I express an opinion, shoot the boss. He's a bad man.
At what cost? Unless you're in a huge rush or have a very small crew working, there's always someone who can take a coffee break talking to the odd person in an anorak the lumbers in through the mist.
Last year we did some Work in Italy and the local Arch society turned up and provided volunteers to do it for us. In return, their getting access to the site, seeing what came out and what stayed in was a reward they treeasured.
Involving the local amateurs gives the residents a sense of ownership, gives them perspective over where they live, provides local schools with interest and benefits.
And yes, there's the downside - which I suspect you suffer more in the UK than most other places; the irritants and the ASBO's waiting to happen. For that, I have no suggestion.
If I express an opinion, shoot the boss. He's a bad man.