Imagineer Productions awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to explore First World War heritage of Daimler Works, Coventry

Imagineer Productions have been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to fund their project exploring the history of the Daimler works in Coventry. Working with their Transformation Group of young people aged 16–24, Daimler Powerhouse: The War Years will explore the impact the Daimler works had on the First World War regionally and nationally.

Research will be carried out locally and at the Imperial War Museum including interviews with local families with a connection to the factory.

Based on this research Imagineer Productions are creating a site specific performance, created and produced by the Transformation Group, which will take place at 8pm on 15, 16 and 17 September in and around the Daimler Building on the Sandy Lane Business Park in Radford, Coventry.

Following the performance the Transformations Group will go on to curate an exhibition exploring the fascinating story of the Daimler Works during World War One and some of the ‘Imagineers’ who played their part in its innovation and success.

The Exhibition will run from 26 – 30 September in the Daimler Powerhouse 12noon – 4pm each day (Free event) as part of Imagineers annual Festival of Imagineers which runs from 26 September – 1 October.

Research undertaken by the group has to-date unearthed the story of Henry Lawson, who acquired a former cotton mill in Drapers Field and established the Coventry Motor Mills – which would become the Daimler Works. Within a month of the First World War being declared, Daimler had supplied 300 vehicles for army use. In 1915 they reached an agreement with the War Office to lease part of their Radford land to erect an aerodrome. Between 1914 and 1918 they built, supplied and developed vehicles, engines, tanks and aeroplanes and munitions including more 12” shells than any other factory in the country!

For further information on Daimler Powerhouse: The War Years or the Festival of Imagineers visit www.imagineer-productions.co.uk