Man Engine visits St Agnes

Giant Bolster had a rival when the UK’s largest mechanical puppet, a 10 metre-plus Cornish Man Engine – a miner – arrived at St Agnes Head on 1 August on one of the wettest days of the summer.  Despite the constant rain and mist there was a somewhat damp crowd to greet him.

The Man Engine visits St Agnes
The Man Engine visits St Agnes

He was accompanied by a team of miners and bal maidens who created a theatrical show of music and story telling.

The Man Engine, a fantastic feat of Cornish engineering, attracted huge crowds wherever he went.

The National Trust, which owns St Agnes Head, arranged a guided walk, led by Museum Chairman, Roger Radcliffe, which finished at the entrance to St Agnes Head to coincide with the procession.  Twenty-four hardy walkers braved the weather to take part.