Mastermind Paul Spooner only lives up the road, yet the first place I recall seeing the name was on a piece of his work, at the science Science museum in London. After a while exploring his collections I started to realise quite how many of them were familiar to me. His fireplace for example, is decorated with two child figureheads; these were cast moulds for a demonstrative piece in Eden Project. I stood in awe as a kid, watching that mechanical ‘plant takeaway’ unfold, until the stage reset and it all went round again.

I maybe didn’t realise how much I admired these comedic puppets and their delicately automated displays of bizarre life and blunt humour. What I mean to say of course is that I admire Paul for his genius creations - the machines have characters of their own so I rather think I ought to give them some credit. I thoroughly enjoyed filming this interview and I am ever so looking forward to sharing this episode of Characters of Cornwall.

With many thanks to Paul for putting up with me.

Thank you to Sholto.

Episode 16
Characters of Cornwall
Produced by Lucky Everett ©