THE mighty Man Engine returns to Tavistock next week and is promised to be bigger and better than ever before — and here’s what you need to know.
The largest mechanical puppet ever constructed in Britain will rise on Tuesday (April 3) in a special ‘resurrection tour’ at Bedford Car Park.
The 11.2-metre Man Engine first steamed the length of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site in 2016, unearthing a deep lode of passion and pride.
The Man Engine is powered by Volvo’s brand new L220H wheeled-loader. On Saturday, March 31, he will re-appear where he was last seen: at Geevor Tin Mine in the ultimate west. Then he heads east; on Easter Sunday, April 1, he will be at Heartlands. On Easter Monday (April 2) he will visit Cornwall’s ancient stannary capital, Lostwithiel then he crosses the Tamar to Tavistock.
Gates, for the afternoon event, open at noon with the ceremony starting at 2pm and ends at 2.45pm. Gates will close at 4pm. Gates will open at 6.30pm for the evening event and the ceremony will begin at 8.30pm.
Roads closed: Canal Road access to Meadowlands Leisure Centre will be closed except for leisure centre users, emergency vehicles and disabled visitors accessing designated disabled parking area in The Wharf Car Park.
Parking provisions: There will be several available car parks in Tavistock, with The Wharf Car Park set aside for disabled parking alongside users of the leisure centre. Top parking suggestions from the organisers of the event are: Tavistock College, Brook Street multi-storey and Chapel Street.
Disabled parking provisions: A designated disabled parking area at The Wharf Car Park with approximately 25 bays. Parking spaces cannot be reserved.
Public transport options: Bus services running to Tavistock on a regular basis — Stagecoach, No1 from Plymouth; Dartline Coaches, No 118 from Okehampton; Target Travel No 98 from Yelverton.