Heartlands sets opening date

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Heartlands, “the UK’s first cultural playground”, will open its doors to the public on Friday April 20, it has been announced.

Based on former derelict mine land at Robinson’s Shaft in Pool, the opening will be marked by a three-day celebration themed on Cornish myth and legend.

It is hoped that 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 the Camborne Pool Redruth area – home to more than 10% of the Cornish population.

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

Chair of the executive board, Cllr Carolyn Rule, 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.”

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