Colossal engineering miracle ‘Man Engine’

Colossal engineering miracle 'Man Engine'

See the colossal engineering miracle 'Man Engine' at
Blists Hill Victorian Town on Saturday 14th April

The largest mechanical puppet ever constructed in Britain, the Man Engine, is coming to Blists Hill Victorian Town on Saturday, 14th April when it will be the 'star' of spectacular daytime and evening events.

Weighing nearly 40 tonnes, the Man Engine crawls at 4.5m high and 'transforms' to stand at nearly 12m. Engineered in Cornwall to mark the 10th anniversary of the county's World Heritage status, the Man Engine is touring venues across the UK to celebrate Britain's rich industrial heritage.

The Man Engine will be centre stage at the amazing and spectacular hour-long ceremony starting at 2.00pm and 8.30pm when the audience will be asked to help wake the puppet from its slumber. Bring along your enthusiasm, energy and loudest voice to help the Man Engine team raise the sleeping giant to its full height with songs and chants.

The day time event is perfect for families as young visitors are also invited to join in the Miners' Parade and have a go at printing, candle dipping and building a mini steam engine, amongst many other hands-on activities. Make sure you find out what life was like for the Victorian mining communities of Shropshire as you chat to the townsfolk in their shops and cottages.

During the evening the atmosphere changes as the sounds of the live band fill the air and the actors perform street theatre around the Town. Join in the sing-a-long in the pub before heading down to The Green to watch the remarkable Man Engine Ceremony at 8.30pm. Whether you visit by day or by night, make sure you tuck into some delicious Fish and Chips and other treats from the cafés and come prepared to be amazed by the biggest mechanical man in Great Britain.

One of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Blists Hill will be open from 10am to 4.30pm by day and 6.30pm to 10pm in the evening.

Tickets for the daytime event can be purchased online or at the gate, subject to availability, priced at £19.75 for adults, £14 for 60 plus, £12 for children 5 - 16 years. Discounted tickets are available for pre-booked parties of 15 and over priced at £14 per adult, £11.50 for the 60 plus and £6.70 for children 5 - 16 years.
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Evening event tickets must be purchased in advance online priced at £10 for adults and £8 concessions. Groups of 15 or more booking in advance for the evening will receive a 10% discount.

There is free coach parking, group leaders and coach drivers are entitled to complimentary admission when accompanying a group and coach drivers will be given a free refreshment voucher.

Annual Passports are not valid for either event but current Passport holders will receive a 25% discount off daytime admission.

For further information, call the Group Visits Officer Ben Walker on Tel: 01952 435 900 or email ; details can also be found on http://www.ironbridge.org.uk.

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