Congratulations to Golden Tree Productions, whose ‘Man Engine’ has won the Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Best Arts Project’ Award. The Man Engine was such a great success when it toured the World Heritage Site areas of Cornwall and west Devon last year and we are all thrilled that this achievement has been recognised in this way.
Commissioned by the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site as part of its ‘Tinth’ Anniversary programme of events in 2016, the giant metal puppet, “MAN ENGINE”, which toured mining heritage sites across west Devon and Cornwall, has won the National Lottery Best UK Arts Project Award, beating more than 1,300 other entrants.
Created by arts company Golden Tree Productions, in response to the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site call for proposals from the region’s vibrant culture sector to celebrate World Heritage status, Man Engine attracted over 150,000 people to events at locations across the Site and generated 160 million views across traditional and digital media outlets worldwide.
Julian German, Chairman of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Partnership, said: “This is obviously wonderful news for everyone in Cornwall and west Devon, and beyond. The World Heritage Site Partnership, backed by Cornwall Council, were seeking a vision, an ambition and a tenacity that would come together in a fitting tribute to our ancestors’ ingenuity and entrepreneurialism. We certainly found this in the Man Engine. The Man Engine undoubtedly captured the world’s imagination, bringing the towns and villages along the route to the attention of an international audience, and stimulating enthusiasm for and awareness of the importance of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. Today’s announcement of the National Lottery Arts award will yet again honour the stories, the dedication and the ingenuity of our ancestors, and I extended our thanks and congratulations to the Golden Tree team.”
Will Coleman, artistic director of Golden Tree, added that: “Last year, we collectively pulled off something truly spectacular, working together with people all over Cornwall and West Devon to make the Man Engine tour the length of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site a reality. This year, we’ve done it again thanks to almost 8,000 people voting for the Man Engine to become the country’s favourite Arts project in the National Lottery Awards. What a phenomenal response. I simply want to thank everyone who commissioned us, supported us, sponsored us, volunteered for us, sang for us, helped us along the way, or simply came to see us and took part. The personal and family stories of triumph and tragedy have been deeply moving. I am delighted to confirm that this win is a significant boost to our plans for the Man Engine to awaken again. 2018 will see him touring across Cornwall and Devon and heading to Wales and England on his travels. For now, I cannot say any more, but thank you again to everyone that voted, and watch this space for news very soon!”
For more information: Ainsley Cocks, Research and Information Officer, Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Office / Sodhva Lown Ertach an Bys Balweyth Kernewek
Tel: 01872 322585 Email: acocks@cornwall.gov.uk Web: www.cornishmining.org.uk