What's on

The Man Engine is coming to Lostwithiel on Wednesday 27th July. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of UNESCO World Heritage status for Cornwall Mining Heritage, the largest mechanical puppet ever constructed in Britain will be travelling 130 miles from Tavistock to Land's End in 2 weeks. The puppet only rises to his full 10m height if people sing loud enough - so Lostwithiel will need to create a huge hullabaloo to see the full spectacle!

This amazing event will be fantastic FREE entertainment as well as a chance to learn about Cornish mining and Lostwithiel heritage. Local groups will be taking part including Lost In Song and children from Lostwithiel schools.

Viewing for the Man Engine will be on King George V playing field. Arrive from 3pm in order to enjoy the food stalls, choirs and bands performing. The Man Engine show will start around 5pm but make sure you arrive in plenty of time. Why not come early and visit the Museum (new Children's Trail available), browse the shops or sit by the river? Or join the Lostwithiel Guided Heritage walk, which will take place from 2pm to 4pm, starting from the Community Centre.

The Man Engine puppet and vehicles will be installed in the main car park, which will be closed to traffic and pedestrians from midday to 8pm. Please walk if possible, or take the train (see timetables below for details).

Thanks to Sita Suez for supporting with materials, to all our volunteers for giving up their time so generously and to the Man Engine organisers for creating such a wonderful event for us.  

Toilets - there will be portable toilets in the car park next to the field entrance.

Litter - there will be extra bins on site, please use them! Glass can be handed in at the bar for recycling.

First aid - there will be a first aid station on the field.

Dogs - King George V playing field is a dog free zone, please respect this. 

Parking - if you can possibly avoid it, don't come by car, as parking in Lostwithiel itself will not be easy. The main car park will be closed for Man Engine; there is only limited street parking available. There will be some disabled parking for blue badge holders in a designated area near the field; check with stewards at the car park.

Park and Ride

A Park and Ride will be running from 2pm to 5pm and then from 7pm to 8.30pm. Follow the signs to Trewether Farm (same location as LostFest Park and Ride). Please note the Park and Ride will NOT be running while the show is happening, between 5pm and 7pm, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time. Park and Ride will cost £1 per seat on the bus so to save time and money, drop passengers off in town first and collect them afterwards.

Heritage displays

The Man Engine Trailblazer bus will be in the car park, next to the children's play area outside the Community Centre.

In addition there will be a Heritage gazebo on the playing field with Lostwithiel Heritage expert Mary Jones on hand to answer any questions, Balmaiden costumes by Lostwithiel costumier Rachel Parton, and a display by mining photographer John Peck. There will also be leaflets and activities available from Lostwithiel Museum.

John Peck has been interested in photography from the age of 12. He moved to Cornwall in 1966 and set up as a photographer in Chacewater where he still lives. In 1972 the mine management at Wheal Jane advertised for a photographer, a position which meant he could combine another hobby, climbing and caving, with his knowledge of photography. The work was challenging and exciting. The conditions were often wet, humid and very noisy. John says he feels privileged to become involved in many different projects and process above and below ground.

The display at Lostwithiel Man Engine will be a small representative of this time. The photograph below was taken in his dark room when he did his last batch of bromide prints. 

Train times for Man Engine

Lostwithiel has a railway station right in the middle of town. Call 08457 484950 or visit the National Rail Enquiries website to check departures from your local station.

The train times in pink are the ones to aim for in order to see the Man Engine

London to the West of England on 27th July 2016

West of England to London on 27th July 2016

More information on the Man Engine website