38. Bank View Cafe, Langsett, Sheffield There is an unusual and interesting polling station situated at Bank View Café, one room is used for voting and the other carries on as the walker’s and community café. Voting here means one has the opportunity to sit and take time to discuss the event, or to have a cup of tea and a cake while musing over manifestos.
1. Coniston Mechanics Institute (Coniston) Coniston Mechanics Institute was founded in 1852 for the education and cultural instruction of the local community. The institute houses not only the Ruskin museum and local library, but also many informal and temporary functions, such as a nursery, billiard room, a famous second hand book sale, contemporary art events and a polling station.
9. The Brudenell Social Club (Leeds) Originally the Brudenell was a gentleman’s social club known for cabaret and bingo. Due to the increase in the student population of the Hyde Park area, it has adapted function to become one of the most important venues for music and art in the city. It professes to be a ‘non-profit making venue’ holding charitable status which is owned and run by its members. To attend the Brudenell you must become a member which effectively gives you part ownership of the club.
39. Mobile Caravans Caravans host the vote in areas where there are no available buildings to house the ballot box. They are mobile solutions that facilitate a polling station just walking distance away. These are not permanent, but pop up when needed from election to election. The mobile station is also used when buildings are undergoing refurbishments or are unavailable for other reasons. Lets face it voting in a caravan has got to add something special to the voting experience, cramped in, crossing the ballot on a fold out table, next to 2 nodding dogs, a mini sink and a chemical loo.
22. The Hunt for the Polling Station of Park Hill (Sheffield) Park Hill housing estate in Sheffield, infamous for it’s failed utopian architectural vision was at one time used as a polling station by the local residents. We asked a resident if they had voted this year at the local polling station. Laughing he answered no and hazarded a vague guess at where it may be - a church a fair distance away from the boundary of the estate. After asking a few more confused passers by of its whereabouts it soon became apparent the Park hill community centre polling station had disappeared with the disappearing community.
10. No Polling Stations for Shetland Islands (Constituency: Lerwick Harbour) Walking distance to the nearest polling station? Try an aeroplane and a taxi. That’s the journey the residents of Foula (one of the 15 inhabited Shetland Islands) have to face to vote in person. Lacking their own local polling station, the residents must island hop to Lerwick on the Shetland mainland to vote in the Gilbertson Park Games Hall. It takes these voters a total of 48 hours to cast their vote by hand.
11. New Venture Theatre Polling Station, Bedford Place (Constituency: Brighton Pavilion) In 1956 the local community theatre group took out a lease on the old Church schoolrooms of Bedford Place to house its 100-seater proscenium arch theatre. Today it still stands, additionally acting as a polling station on election day. Due to lack of funding the theatre has had to turn to this community to invest in the building, putting forward the idea of ‘adopt-a-brick’. This will enable members of the community (many who vote there), to own part of the building as a co-operative. Voters can thereby potentially own part of their own polling station.
2. Abandoned Cocky Watson’s Hut, Maghull (Constituency: Sefton Central) Referred to as the old ‘Cocky Watson’s’ hut this windowless shack lacks any hint of grandeur or dignity, it is situated in the centre of the local park. It originally accommodated the watchman of the play area who looked over recreational activities such as boules. Over time social interaction in the park has faded away, putting an end to many communal play activities. Voting at this location has been described as undignified and to have had created ‘a feeling of detachment from the great democratic process’.
3. The Mission (Constituency: West Lancashire) Talking to Jean and Eileen, two retired sisters from Bickerstaffe, about their local polling station it soon becomes apparent that there is much affection towards this building. The community hall referred to as ‘The Mission’ came into existence in the 1800s originally providing church services for the people of Bickerstaffe. Any events happening in the area from jumble sales, Greek classes to bible study and photography exhibitions, are guaranteed to take place in the one storey, corrugated hall. Unfortunately on election day the voters are in and out, without stopping for a cup of tea.
40. RJ’s Gym Polling Station off Linley Lane (Constituency: Attercliffe, Sheffield) At RJ’s Gym two very different activities run alongside each other on the day of an election. The fully equipped gymnasium kindly opens its doors for the voting process, whilst their loyal gym members carry on with their workouts. The voting takes place in a 3m x 3m space that is squeezed in between a cable crossover machine, a reception desk and a leverage shoulder press. The voters spill out of the open door as the machinery is far to heavy to rearrange to create more space for the voting booths and ballot box.
23. The Living Room (Constituency: Colchester) In a small hamlet near the centre of Colchester Essex a retired couple have offered the use of their living room as a polling station since 1989. The couple saw the difficulty the elderly residents were having getting up and down the steps of the local polling station. As Mr and Mrs Bywaters do not believe in voter apathy they opened up their home to encourage people to vote in their area, “If we can make it as pleasant as possible for people to vote then we will.”
12. Urban Farm (Constituency: Feltham & Heston) Hounslow Urban Farm acts as a valuable educational resource and leisure facility for the city dwellers of Feltham, West London. As a polling station it allows the voter to step into a neutral space away from the congested traffic, office politics, tourists and general hectic lifestyle of London. It could be said the urban farm is an idyllic place to cast your ballot, allowing you to clear your head and vote amidst the livestock.
24. Isles of Scilly (Constituency: St. Ives) Unlike the Shetland Islands, St Mary’s and the 3 other Isles of Scilly are fully equipped for every election, each one has its own polling station. Despite being 29 miles away from Lands End, the four islands kit out their town/village hall with a polling booth and ballot box, allowing the residents to experience casting their vote in person. This luxury does not come easy given the logistics of collating and counting the votes for the whole constituency across many different land masses.
13. The Gradual Decline of Primary School Polling Stations The current bylaws entitle local councils to commandeer any public building within its area, explaining the common use of primary schools as polling stations. For several years the general election caused little disruption to the schools, only extending their opening times. Over the last few years there has been an ever increasing focus on child protection within the UK preventing strangers accessing the premises, high fencing and locks on all external doors have become standard. More and more primary school polling stations are being replaced by other public buildings.
25. Bournemouth Football Ground (Constituency: Mid Dorset and North Poole) The residents North East of Bournemouth cast their votes where they usually go to support their team. The club contributes a lot of support to its local community, the AFCB Community Sports Trust raises money to provide PE equipment for schools and programmes that promote social inclusion for young people involved with anti social behaviour. Could going to vote in a venue that promotes local achievement encourage the electors to think about such issues.
14. Integrated Primary School Polling Stations of Northern Ireland (Constituency: Belfast North) Hazelwood Primary School was one of the first schools to bring children from different faiths together in a shared learning environment in 1985. More and more integrated schools have emerged over the past 25 years as the popularity has risen and the conflict has quietened. This schools represents a significant achievement; standing as a symbol of the positive actions of the public outside of what was a divided political landscape.
26. The Freight Container (Constituency: Kirkstall, Leeds) Mobile polling stations are becoming increasingly popular for election day. The varying forms range from portacabins to caravans, huts and now freight containers. The facts state that steel freight containers outlive their usefulness within 5 years, therefore there is an abundance of them abandoned at shipyards all over the country. This is a cost effective idea for a voting space, but it also reminds us of the global economic reality and the never ending logistical processes that ship the goods to our shops.
15. The Miners Welfare Hall (Constituency: Garforth and Swillington Ward) Erected in 1924, the miner’s welfare hall came into existence at the height of coal mining, it provided a meeting and educational venue for the miners in the area. As a co-operative, the miners funded the hall with weekly subscriptions that came out of their wages. It is one of four in England to survive the decline of coal in the 1980s that led to the majority of institutes falling into disrepair. Vote here to remember this history.
27. The ‘Community Fire Station’ (Constituency: Bromborough, Merseyside) A spokesman for the fire station stated, “They are called community fire stations for good reason. Community groups use them for health and education, and this (a polling station) would just be another step in this direction.” It would seem the fire station is more than happy to welcome voters inside to cast their ballots as they like to have a strong relationship with local people. The firemen are involved in many local initiatives including letting people grow vegetables in the disused land to the rear of the station.
41. The Coach and Horses Inn, Fenny Bentley (Constituency: North Derbyshire) Back in the days of William Hogarth the public house would have contained scenes of bribery and banter surrounding the day of election, a social occasion where unruly behaviour was accepted. Three centuries later, the public house has a new role – acting as the polling station itself. One of the few public buildings in this rural setting, the Coach and Horses Inn has acted as a polling station for 12 years replacing the old scout headquarters. The pub interior displays traditional decor and provides the usual comforting warmth of a local boozer.
32. Sobraon Barracks (Constituency: Lincoln) The barracks accommodating the North Lincolnshire Regiment and the polling station for the Burton area of Lincoln has its history well embedded in its name and the building itself. The name Sobraon is in remembrance of the Regiment’s most famous Battle Honour gained in the Sikh wars in 1846. As the voters enter the barracks they are encouraged to focus on the historical war efforts of the area which may bring about partisan feelings of historical alignment or potentially to thinking about current foreign policy.
42. The Street Mosque (Constituency: Edinburgh North and Leith) The Annandale Street Mosque in Northern Edinburgh holds events such as ‘interfaith: harmony or conflict’ and the building plays a vital role in bringing two potentially segregated communities together to openly discuss their views on current affairs. Using the mosque as a polling station obscures the image and purpose of the building for just a day. People are invited to step into unknown territory to cast their vote, hopefully debunking the myths about different cultures and the buildings that accommodate them.
43. The Convent (Constituency: Westminster) Locals from Westminster constituency cast their vote on polling day in the Tyburn Convent along with the Nuns. Founded in 1964, this is a rare opportunity for the laity to come into the enclosure and visit the tomb of the Foundress Marie Adele Garnierand. The chance to enter into a little bit of convent life makes an interesting trip. The simplicity and dedication of a nun’s life usually goes unnoticed, giving up consumer materiality, thinking about the long term greater good and the more essential parts of life, might help when making the decision of who to vote for. It is also interesting to juxtapose a place of religious rituals of the highest complexity and abundance to the ritual of voting, which is itself very understated.
33. YMCA (Constituency: Liscard, Wirral) The YMCA in Wallasey is extremely well equipped to serve the young adults that seek refuge there. It works to integrate homeless youths that find themselves marginalised in society. Choosing to use the YMCA as a polling station for election day helps to expose these young people to their right to vote and hopefully encourage them to register themselves. ‘Homeless Link’ is helping homeless people to exercise their right to register more easily.
44. Escorted to your local Polling Station (Constituency: Beaconsfield) For some voters in the UK, the ritual of voting starts at their doorstep, when a member of a particular political party knocks on the door and generously offers to escort the individual to cast their vote. In Beaconsfield, South Buckinghamshire this is the case for half of the area, who are picked up by their local Conservative member and taken to Farnham Royal Village Hall. Is this courtesy a bit of a ploy to sway the voter towards a certain party?
34. The Neighbour’s Garage (Constituency: South Croydon) In a fairly pleasant residential suburb of South London it seems the only fitting place to have a polling station is in a fellow resident’s garage. As the image above shows, election day is a sociable event with fellow residents in a familiar setting. With the constraints of the garage dimensions the officer, polling booth and ballot box are slotted into place comfortably, with disabled access but no room for the family Nissan.
45. The Bangladesh Centre (Constituency: Cardiff North) The Bangladesh Centre in the Riverside area of Cardiff provides community support and accommodation for the people of ethnic minority in the area. Although Riverside is not the richest area of Cardiff it is also the most diverse and vibrant with sizeable communities of Bangladeshi, Sikh and Chinese people.
4. The Picton Library Polling Station and Counting Centre (Constituency: Liverpool Riverside) Standing amongst several historic buildings such as St. Georges Hall in Liverpool city centre is the Picton Library, a Grade II Listed building built in a classical style in 1906. The William Brown Street area of Liverpool is one of the few areas that has retained its historic value, all four buildings survived the bombings of World War II. It acts as a cultural hub in the city, the museum, concert hall and library all together on one site. The Picton therefore makes sense as the polling station for the area. In strong comparison to caravans and garages, the voting experience here has a sense of grandeur and pomp as one enters the building up huge steps and through the classical columns.
5. The Muslim School (Old St. Monica’s School) (Constituency: Cardiff North) Like many other projects across the UK, including the integrated schools in Northern Ireland (see Case Study No. 14) and the street Mosque in Edinburgh (Case Study No. 15) the Muslim school is attempting to integrate the two faith communities of the area. The building is over a 100 years old, traditionally designed for a Christian faith school. The reuse of traditional English buildings to accommodate increasingly diverse populations, promotes integration.
28. Garage Showroom (Constituency: Totnes, Devon) For the past three elections, Central Garage cleared out one of their two showrooms for polling day, and called in the voters. It might be a coincidence that the green party is not very popular in Brixham. Could this make the experience of voting resonate with the experience of viewing and buying a car, the unfortunate exception is that we cannot take the party we elect for a test drive.
6. The Local Chippy (Constituency: Bristol East) This polling station has a certain familiar charm for the local residents. According to the owner of the shop the fish and chip polling station ‘provoked a lot of interest’ due to its unexpected location. Mr Amrabadi’s said he hoped having the vote take place in his shop would get people out as it is easily accessible and a familiar location. The question remains whether to have chips and gravy before or after casting your ballot.
16. The Renovated Solarium (Constituency: Blackpool South) The local officials of Blackpool took the opportunity to show off its recent achievements in sustainable architecture by choosing the renovated Solaris Centre as the polling station. The building boasts: 2 extremely visible wind turbines on the front facade; 232msq solar roof panels; combined heat and power electricity generation; solar water heating plus the latest in insulation and energy conservation technologies. Originally, the 1930’s art deco solarium stood as a historic feature of the Blackpool promenade.
29. Bedroom In A Bungalow (Constituency: Chettisham, Cambridgeshire) Since the village hall had just closed, on election day Cambridgeshire resident Carmelia Bond not only invites the local community and polling station officials through her front door, but also through that of her son’s bedroom (I hope he tidies it first). Such an intimate space brings neighbours together in an relaxed domestic atmosphere and breaks the traditions of formality and procedure normally prevalent at polling stations.
35. Games room in Pub (Constituency Bristol East) The Ebrington Arms in Knowle holds polling in the skittle alley. The phrase ‘bread and circuses’, or ‘bread and games’ immediately comes to mind, used by the Romans to keep people satisfied with as little as possible. In this case however it is a good reminder that with democracy we can still have bread and games, as well as political freedom. It is funny however that we come back to these human needs, of play and amusement, of humour and relaxation when voting. Since we work for these moments, it is for these moments that we vote, for the right government that will keep jobs and keep the country on its feet, so that we can also play and be satisfied. These public games in public houses can strengthen friendships and local communities, which surely is a good thing to be reminded of when voting.
7. The World’s First Cast-Iron Bridge (Constituency: Telford, Shropshire) When it comes to national pride on election day, what better way to stimulate our love for the country than by voting in a monument which celebrates one of the greatest achievements our industiral heritage. The first Iron Bridge, built by Abraham Darby III in 1779, is vital to the development of the Industrial Revolution, and is the dominating icon for the local area. It is an ideal sybolic landmark in which to cast your vote.
17. Jackpot Wines convenience store (Constituency: Hull East) Mixing shopping and voting is one issue, but being Muslim and voting in a wine shop is another. Polling stations are not required to be in schools or village halls, but these can have advantages. Then again casting a ballot whilst picking up a packet of space raiders and a bottle of Blue Nun sounds appealing.
30. Indian Art and Cultural Centre (Constituency: Kensington, London) During voting, locals cross the threshold of the centre, perhaps noticing the courses, activities and exhibitions that are happening just walking distance from their front rooms. The voting experience allows you to change the future of your country while becoming involved in cultural activities with the local community.
36. The Youth Club (Constituency: Newbridge, Bath) In the middle of suburban town, Newbridge, Centre 69 Youth Club serves the local young people with a social space where they can partake in various activities. It is a different building away from their houses, their parents, guardians or school. The building looks domestic, blending in with the surroundings, it is not an alien place distant from their own home.
18. Sixth Form Centre Polling Station (Constituency: Milton Keynes South West) Like many stations in the UK, the polling station for the Bletchley area of Milton Keynes took the form of a school. In this case it was a sixth form which caters for youths who are nearly at the legal age to vote. The college opens as normal on the day of election. A report after the polling day stated that having democracy in action at the sixth form centre developed a lot of interest from the students.
47. The Hairdressers (Constituency: Derringham, East Yorkshire) What better way to promote casting a vote, than through a light hearted chat at the local hairdressers, as they cut your hair they mention the establishment is becoming a polling station for the election. The owner of Ush’hair, Amy Usher explained, “We do ask the customers if they are coming and let them know we are a polling station.” Unfortunately this means closing the salon for the day, though the extra footfall through the doors publicises the small business.
19. Plumbing Services (Constituency: Hull) Voting in Kingstown Plumbing Services, in Boothferry, Hull is a fairly mundane experience. However perhaps it is a good reminder of the small businesses that are vital for the running of the country. Formed in 1999, Kingstown Plumbing could be seen to be a product of the economic growth of Blair’s Britain, and of the independent businesses that the North of England relies upon. Not only is it important for a community to have these kind of companies on a practical level, but also for their auto-sufficiency which gives the economy flexibility.
48. One Stop Shop Polling Station (Constituency: Southwark) The one stop shops is a drop-in service for anyone living, working or visiting Southwark. It is a new initiative for friendly face-to-face advice, information, help and access to all council facilities. These include a free phone line to council services, a wide range of leaflets, forms and information, free access to the council’s website via public access computers and the shop can provide immediate telephone interpreting. Using the one stop shop as a polling stations seems like a sensible extension of the buildings function. 49. Loganlea Tearoom (Constituency: Clackmannshire, Scotland) Maybe it’s the Scottish weather that inspired councilors to send their voters to Loganlea Tearoom, where they can meditate on their vote over a steaming cup of tea, and if there are tensions between voters, there’s always the twee teapots to change the topic of conversation. All is covered; voter belly satisfaction, neutral atmosphere and a communal place.
20. Boat House (Constituency: North Down, Northern Island) Voting in Groomsport Boat House polling station in Northern Ireland is a good reminder of the area’s historical context. The boat house is a major part of the community, situated on the pier in the main part of the village and harbour. It is important because it symbolises the traditional industry on which the town was founded; fishing (now tourism).Voting in the boat house is a good way of staying in touch with your routes.
8. The Windmill (Constituency: West Blatchington, Brighton) Built in 1820 the hexagonal smock mill faithfully served the grinding industry of Brighton. At the end of the 19th century the rise of steam power saw a big decline in the use of windmills in the industrial revolution. Now the windmill has been transformed into a landmark as it stands as a Grade II listed building open to the public as an educational feature. In 1825 painter John Constable chose to paint West Blatchington windmill in 1825, one of his many oil sketches on the beaches of Brighton were the windmill acted as a focus point amongst the stormy seas and skies. What was once a humble industrial tool has now become a valued Landmark of English Heritage. Just as the community centres and schools are used as polling stations in other constituencies, the windmill, an integral part of the local community has not been left to history.
Bryan Davies is an artist, who recently graduated from the Sheffield School of Architecture. Assisted by: Edmund Harrison-Gray, Hannah Martin & Beni Valdes. Thanks for the support of Sheffield University Architecture Department. www.bryanandlauradavies.com www.theroadtovoting.com
21. Holiday Inn (Constituency: Winchester) Due to the local council struggling to find venues that were open for the full 15 hours on election day, the 24 hour reception of the local Holiday Inn seemed a perfect solution. The guests at the hotel may have had a slight surprise as their relaxing stay was disturbed by the many voters queuing to cast their ballot throughout the day.
46. The Castle (Constituency: Nottingham West) The castle of Nottingham stands in its commanding position, mounted upon the cliffs that look over the city. The tale of Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham famously proposes the idea of “taking from the rich and giving to the poor”, a vow now entrenched in the welfare state.
31. Barracks (Constituency: West Sussex) Above shows a soldier from the Royal Artillery arriving to cast his vote at Baker Barracks on Thorney Island near Chichester. Thorney Island is a Peninsula in Chichester Harbour, West Sussex. As well as having a large area of easily accessible sandy beach; the Island also has various sites of Special Scientific Interest. The population of the Island is made up entirely of soldiers.
37. Sheltered Housing (Constituency: Brus, Hartlepool) Going to an unfamiliar building to vote may be difficult for some people in sheltered housing. A better solution is to vote in the comfort of your own lounge after morning coffee and before the bingo starts. Having the polling station in the sheltered housing does bring strangers into their community, for some this may cause unease but for others it may be a breath of fresh air to see new faces.
50. The Cricket Club (Constituency: Walthamstow) Voting and cricket seem worlds apart, however to vote here could put voters in a good frame of mind. Cricket being so essentially ‘British’ might not appeal to every citizen, but it can evoke a sense of national pride. Cricket grounds are also a very important place of cultural integration, since all nationalities and backgrounds are accepted and compete on the same playing field.
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