Knowsley are building an extraordinary castle structure – made entirely of cardboard, tape and community spirit!
Created in workshops, the castle will then be transported to Knowsley Safari Park where it will be built it up to a gigantic height! The castle will be a cultural first for the area, but the project is about participation and simply not possible without the support from the local community.
Knowsley’s inspiration
Lost Castles will see hundreds of volunteers work with thousands of cardboard boxes to build monumental castle-inspired structures in each area of the Liverpool City Region.
Some of the structures will be based on actual medieval forts which were in the region at one time – some are expected to be as tall as 20 metres!
The inspiration for Knowsley’s design comes from Elsinore Castle from one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Hamlet.
The project is another wonderful opportunity to celebrate Knowsley’s fascinating links with Shakespeare and the new Shakespeare North Playhouse coming to Prescot. The support and patronage of the Earls of Derby at Knowsley Hall played a notable part in the development of English drama so it is fitting that the castle will be constructed at the Safari Park, which is part of the Knowsley Estate.
How to get involved
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work alongside French artist Olivier Grossetȇte and his artistic team. You don’t need any special skills – just plenty of enthusiasm and passion to be part of a great team.
A number of free workshops will take place from 5 – 8 August where parts of Knowsley’s castle will be constructed entirely of cardboard and tape. These parts will then be transported to Knowsley Safari Park where the castle will be fully constructed on Friday 10 August. You are then invited to take part in the demolition of the castle on Sunday 12 August (all of the cardboard will be responsibly recycled).
Participants will be working with a wide variety of people from across the borough under the direction of Olivier’s Grossetete’s artistic team and will collectively create this impressive structure. The workshops will take place at The Prescot School (Knowsley Park Lane, Prescot L34 3NB). There will be two workshops per day (plus one evening session on Tuesday 7 August).
The minimum age to get involved with the project is age 8 – there is no maximum age! Participants under the age of 16 must attend with a responsible adult, or adult per group.
A picnic for volunteers will be provided on the day of construction – your hard work will be rewarded!
For more information please email rachael.treacher@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 5618.