HLF funding means that Brunel 200 has secured a series of events and exhibitions that will take in the whole of the South West. Image courtesy Brunel 200.

Regional events marking this year's 200th anniversary celebrations commemorating the birth of engineer and architect Isambard Kingdom Brunel have been given a half million pound boost following a major award from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The award, which totals £528,000, will be used to fund a spread of events across the South West during 2005 that will help integrate with the programme developed for Bristol by the city’s Brunel 200 initiative.

“This is a terrific boost to the Brunel 200 programme,” said Jeremy Payne, vice-chairman of Brunel 200 and Culture South West. “The way the whole schedule of events has been developed in Bristol and by grass roots initiatives across the South West shows just what a fantastic region this is and how well we can co-operate together on such a major initiative.”

In addition to the HLF funding, another £150,000 is being provided by partners. The combined money has been earmarked for more than 20 individual projects in towns, historic sites, schools and communities throughout the region, from Swindon in the east to Porthcurno in the far west.

Brunel 200 goes from strength to strength with the added funding from the HLF © Institution of Civil Engineers.

The British Postal Museum will be using the funding to send a touring exhibition around South West venues, whilst at Brunel Manor (now a Christian retreat and conference centre) work will be started on the restoration of the Brunel-designed gardens, which will be open for public access.

In Devon the library service is planning a 70-page booklet that explores the route of Brunel’s Exeter to Plymouth railway line whilst in Cornwall the Royal Cornwall Museum will be creating a definitive record of every piece of track, viaduct, signal box and station with a Brunel connection in the county.

Elsewhere a raft of community workshops, performances, festivals as well as further exhibitions and trails will combine to tell the story of Brunel’s achievements and his continuing impact upon the South West.

“The Brunel 200 celebrations this year will not only create a lasting legacy for a great engineer and architect but will also show the world just what the people of the region and its natural and innovative environment have to offer today,” added Mr Payne.

ss Great Britain is one of the Bristol attractions that lies at the core of the Brunel 200 celebrations. © ss Great Britain.

Brunel 200 takes place in Bristol and the South West throughout the whole of 2006 and also includes major exhibitions at ss Great Britain, At-Bristol and Bristol’s City Museum and Art Gallery.

These exhibitions will cover the story of Brunel’s life and work whilst educational initiatives through schools and libraries (including the distribution of a free biography of the great man) will ensure that no-one in the South West will be ignorant of the work of its most famous son in 2006.

“Brunel 200 is a really dynamic and innovative scheme that will benefit a huge amount of people across the South West,” said Adrian Tinniswood, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s South West committee.

“It will raise the profile of Brunel’s enormous contribution to our heritage in the region and really emphasise his continuing importance in the twenty-first century.”

A Brunel beer emerged in 2005. James Taljaard of Arts & Business South West and James Durie of Business West toasting Brunel with Butcombe Brewery beer. © Brunel 200.

Brunel 200 is an initiative of Bristol Cultural Development Partnership (BCDP) working with a range of partners including Culture South West. Funding has been provided by Arts Council England South West, Bristol City Council and Business West. For more information about planned activities visit the Brunel 200 website www.brunel200.com