Nik Butler: Solution to a Rising Folly and a sticky pavement problem

So much so that we can expect a new series of decorations aimed at encouraging socially acceptable behaviour from acts of such public mastication.

By all accounts this environmentally conscious effort may just bring an end to the fear of sticky summer footsteps. It would appear that every social habit requires its own waste receptacle. Ashtrays or Gum Collectors taking precedence over plastic, glass, paper, and compostables; but let’s not give the council any more ideas with which to fill the high street with obstacles. A quick Google image search for these receptacles of rumination leaves me somewhat skeptical as to the appropriateness of the placement of large pink balls throughout the street. Then again this idea comes from a collective whose peers had previously considered the placement of a singular gigantic ball on a stick to be the height of forward planning and artistic contribution.

Speaking of Follies past and present; it is a delight to see that some consideration is being given as to the appropriateness of that Rising Universe. For sure there are many who exclaim the delight at allowing children to play in its flushing waters, symbolic of a natural event few would acknowledge, but as follies go it has been one of Horsham’s better experiences. My preference for its replacement would be to continue the ongoing opportunities for public performance and the arts by creating another stand from which artists could perform. I suspect however that given the increasing number of residential properties soon to be overlooking that crossroads there will be a preference for potentially less noisy installations. Discouraging future musicians and artists from becoming too comfortable in Horsham town.

Therefore given the tension over costs and the prospect that people might spontaneously entertain themselves without authoritative approval here is my suggestion that unites the follies and embraces the need to reduce, recycle and reuse.

Simply paint the whole giant sphere bright neon pink, cut a few slots within the body, and label it accordingly. This would enable the collection of Gum from the high street and every few days workers could flush the contents for collection and the internals would be briefly cleaned and reset for the following days.