I was commissioned by Historic England / Swindon Borough Council to create the 2-mile heritage trail of 30+ interpretation panels at key locations around Swindon's Railway Village and former GWR Works. My work included historical and image research, community engagement, graphic design, map-making, writing content and print management. I advised on route, placement, content and format, and created the interpretation panels, street banners, stylised route map and historical overlay maps, cast bronze pavement plaques, printed trail guide – I also curated the online guide content.
“Kate designed a wonderful heritage trail for Swindon. It was a mammoth job for one person... She created the content, undertaking a huge amount of research in order to find (and interpret) the most interesting and relevant stories.” Karen Phimister, Swindon Heritage Action Zone Project Officer
'The Works' is the new brand for Swindon's historic Railway Village. Its vision for interpretation: Celebrate civic pride, social action and people as place makers and history makers; their historic legacy, innovative spirit and collaborative culture. Promote a deeper understanding and connection with this heritage and help Swindon become better known for its Railway Village heritage, culture and regeneration.
“Kate took responsibility for shaping the route of the trail and for suggesting how it should be presented and promoted.” Karen Phimister, Swindon Heritage Action Zone Project Officer
This video gives a good overview of the five-year Historic England-backed project to reveive Swindon's industrial heritage, and features my work: map design and Heritage Trail leaflet; exterior panels displaying local art students' interpretations of the area; map and leaflet for Heritage Open Days, as well as many of the people I worked with.
