Leading the way at Folkestone Warren
Joseph Ash Medway provided hot dip galvanizing and powder coating for BH Engineering’s unique signpost panels at Folkestone Warren nature reserve.
Protecting the Folkestone Warren tourist sign from corrosion
The White Cliff Countryside Partnership (WCCP) engaged BH Engineering Ltd in Deal, Kent, to fabricate a series of signpost panels to be situated amongst the Warren, highlighting points of interest for visitors to the trails. The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Bob Hogben, who runs BH Engineering Ltd was happy to take on the project and he set about designing and fabricating 10 steel panels in close collaboration with Kirk Alexander of WCCP, which he then sent to Joseph Ash Medway for hot dip galvanizing and powder coating.
As part of the design, Bob wanted to depict the kinds of things that visitors to the Warren would see along the way such as wildlife, cattle, fossils, Roman ruins and the Martello Towers. His overall scheme included 10 separate panels each with different designs. As the panels were very detailed, and very large (3.1m high by 1.35m in width), it was a Summer-long project for BH Engineering Ltd.
Once fabricated, the panels were sent to Joseph Ash Medway for galvanizing and powder coating. Because the steel panels would be displayed outside as part of the nature at Folkestone Warren, they needed to be protected from atmospheric corrosion, come rain or shine. The duplex coating achieved from the process ensured the sign remained resistant to corrosion for decades.
At the end of the Summer, the panels were finished and were erected at various points along the trails at Folkestone Warren. Artwork for inside the panels was designed and produced by Arc Creative Design Ltd of Folkestone. Visitors to the nature reserve can now see them, and use the information contained within to find out about specific points of interest along the route.
Bob Hogben said: “The panels were a labour of love this year. Folkestone Warren is an area of outstanding natural beauty and it was a privilege to be asked to create signposts that have now become part of the beautiful landscape.”
The Sales Manager at Joseph Ash Medway commented: “Folkestone Warren is relatively close to our Joseph Ash Galvanizing plant in Kent, so it was also an honour when BH Engineering asked us to work on this project. We’ve visited the panels since they were treated at our plant, and it’s wonderful to see them at their final destination.”