Big. Fun. Free. New.
The UK’s first cultural playground sets pulses racing with launch date announcement
£35 million Lottery-funded project will aid regeneration of one of the poorest areas of Cornwall
A new 19 acre free visitor attraction and World Heritage Site set in Cornwall’s former industrial mining heart has today announced its much anticipated opening date.
Heartlands, the UK’s first cultural playground, will open its doors to the public on Friday 20 April 2012 with a three-day celebration themed on Cornish myth and legend.
Based on former derelict mine land at Robinson’s Shaft in the village of Pool (near Redruth), it is hoped the £35 million development, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Cornwall Council, Homes and Communities Agency and the European Union will support the regeneration of Pool, Redruth and Camborne – an area containing over 10% of the Cornish population which has struggled to recover since the closure of the tin and copper mining industry.
The free attraction will be run as a social enterprise by the charity, the Heartlands Trust and includes:
- Cornish Mining World Heritage Site state-of-the art exhibitions
- Restored Engine House with 80” Beam Engine (the last Cornish engine to work on a Cornish mine)
- Biggest Adventure Playground in Cornwall (themed on Cornish myth and history)
- Diaspora Botanical Gardens (relating to the countries that the Cornish have emigrated to)
- Red River Café and Bar
- Art and Craft studios
- Chi an Bobel (large community, conference and function hall)
- Totem Circle (small amphitheatre for music, dance and theatre performances)
- Market Square
- Events Bowl (for large scale outdoor festivals)
- Interactive art installations including graffiti-me totem poles and Red River paddling stream
- 19 one and two-bedroomed sustainable homes
- Biomass boiler, photo voltaics, rain-harvesting system and wind turbine
- Year-round programme of events
Cllr Carolyn Rule, Chair of the Executive Board said:
“I have been honoured to be the chairman of the delivery board for this amazing project from the beginning and was delighted when we were presented with that very special cheque which started the delivery in earnest.
“Cornwall Council has delivered this iconic legacy project under the leadership of Scott James and his team and is now ready to hand over to the Heartlands Trust who, I know, will continue to work with all the partners to ensure that this site lives up to its aim of becoming a landmark destination.”
Malcolm Moyle, Chair of the Heartlands Trust said:
“We are thrilled to be able to announce the launch of this inspirational new attraction. Unique in every way, we hope people come from near and far to experience Heartlands and marvel at all it has to offer from eclectic art to fascinating history to delicious food to breathtaking gardens to one of the most interesting and exciting adventure playgrounds in the UK!
“With a small core team and an army of volunteers, we hope the local community and beyond embrace the interactive, playful nature of Heartlands, but at the same time learn about its importance in the past and significance in this area’s future.”
Heartlands became a reality in 2007 when it was awarded a £22.3 million grant by the Big Lottery Fund, the biggest grant BIG has ever given to a single project in England. It was one of only three projects in the UK to receive the grant under BIG’s Living Landmarks scheme.
Mark Cotton, Head of South West Region at the Big Lottery Fund said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Heartlands is now counting down to launch. It's been amazing to watch the transformation of this once derelict site over the last few months.
“What's really special is that the local community are truly at the heart of this project and have been involved in its planning and development from the very start. It will be fantastic now to see them, and visitors alike, enjoy Heartlands and all the benefits it will bring this important and historic part of Cornwall.”
Heartlands will launch on Friday 20 April 2012 with a three-day celebration themed on magic myth and mayhem involving community and professional performers. The event will begin at 10.30am on the Friday morning with a Grand Parade. More information will follow nearer the launch date. Those interested in being involved in any aspect of the launch event should contact the Heartlands team at info@heartlandscornwall.com
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For further information, interviews or images please contact:
Kate Turnbull, Marketing Manager 01209 722327 / 07889703801
Notes to Editors
• Heartlands is situated in the village of Pool, near Redruth in West Cornwall, just minutes from the A30. For further information visit www.heartlandscornwall.com
• Robinson’s Shaft, where Heartlands is based is one of the most important mining sites in the country. It forms a part of one of the ten discrete landscapes which make up the Cornwall and West Devon mining landscape World Heritage Site and is the location of a number of grade II listed buildings.
• What distinguishes this particular mining site is that it remained in use until 1996 and therefore retained more of its historic buildings and structures than other sites you see today where mining ceased much earlier. Robinson’s Engine House also includes a Cornish pumping engine of 1854, which has been kept in a remarkable state of preservation and was the last Cornish Engine to work on a Cornish Mine.
The Big Lottery Fund (BIG)
• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 46% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
• BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and since 2004 has awarded £4.4bn in grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK.
• Full details of Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
• Big Lottery Press Office: 020 7211 1888. Out of hours: 07867 500 572
• Big Lottery Fund Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030, Text phone: 08456 021 659.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single, national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England. Its vision is to create opportunity for people to live in homes they can afford in places they want to live, by enabling local authorities and communities to deliver the ambition they have for their own areas. This is achieved by:
• Understanding the needs and aspirations of people and communities through close working with local authorities on local investment planning
• Enabling local delivery through the channelling of expertise and investment
• Working effectively with the market, housebuilders, investors and other stakeholders
For more information, visit: www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/newsevent
Cornish Mining World Heritage Site
• The Cornish Mining World Heritage Site offers myriad experiences to explore world-changing mining culture. The Site includes 10 areas of Cornwall & west Devon, each of which offers a multitude of visitor attractions and activities. From audio trails to underground tours, the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site has something for everyone.
• The Cornish Mining World Heritage Site has recently launched a 'widget', a free online resource for any tourism business. The widget allows your visitors to get an insight into the World Heritage Site but without having to leave your website. The widget includes local area information and activities, from cycling trails to underground tours. The widget is a free and easy way of adding rich content to your website to keep your customers coming back to you, year on year. For more information visit http://www.cornish-mining.org.uk/
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