Project aim

Reaching out to a more diverse range of people by overcoming barriers, offering new opportunities, extending our activity programme and creating better facilities, whilst preserving parts of the rich industrial heritage at Wheal Martyn.

Overview

The Clay Works project formed the first part of our ambitious plans for Wheal Martyn, set out in our Masterplan developed in 2017.  The project has been instrumental in helping us to rebuild visitor numbers after the pandemic and broaden our audiences, both of which are important to further the reach of the charity and ensure that the collections and buildings in our care are effectively preserved and accessible for the long term.

The project was delivered over a four year period from April 2028 to March 2022 and achieved the following outputs:

• Restoration of a large proportion of the Pan Kiln roof and the Mica Dry building – both part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Wheal Martyn
• Creation of a gallery for temporary exhibitions within the historic Mica Dry building, enabling a changing exhibition programme for a wide audience
• Creation of a learning and activity space, providing modern facilities for visiting schools and an inspiring space for hands-on activities and workshops
• Creation of outdoor learning spaces within two former settling tanks
• Creation of a fully accessible visitor route through the historic buildings for the first time
• Upgraded interpretation in the Pan Kiln and new displays in the Mica Dry Linhay on the theme of transporting china clay
• Extended formal and informal learning opportunities, including enhanced schools programmes

Outside learning centre photos ©Graham Gaunt Photowork

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Our funders

We are grateful to a wide range of funders who have made this project possible:

• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Arts Council England
• The Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Foyle Foundation
• Historic England
• The Pilgrim Trust
• The Wolfson Foundation
• Cornwall Council
• Pennon Environmental Fund (Viridor Credits)
• Imerys Minerals Ltd
• Cornwall Heritage Trust
• The Hobson Charity Ltd

We are also very grateful to Imerys Minerals Ltd. for their considerable in-kind support.

			THE HOBSON CHARITY