Cragen is Small World Theatre’s new mythological monster set to appear along Wales’ epic coastline during Year of the Sea.

Cragen is said to dwell off the coast of Wales and experts have predicted that she will appear along the coastline at ten locations with an important clean seas message. Visitors and communities will gasp at her ingenuity and be amazed by her size, as she returns unwanted plastic waste from the sea to the land.

The makers and creators of the giant sea-faring puppet are Cardigan-based Small World Theatre. The theatre company, established in 1996, is excited about touring its latest giant (approximately 20-metres long) in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Isle of Anglesey and Conwy, encouraging people to explore Visit Wales’ newly launched ‘The Wales Way’.

Members of the public are invited to visit Cragen performances between July – December and participate in exciting activities and events alongside the Wales-wide tour, including The Wildlife Trusts ‘Sea Wales 7D’ Augmented Reality Roadshow (where you’ll learn about some of the incredible marine wildlife that calls Wales home), beach cleans organised by Keep Wales Tidy and National Trust Wales and family activities galore organised by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and others.

Cragen will join in the celebrations at established events such as Sea2shore Food Festival, Aberystwyth, Gwledd Conwy Feast and the Giant Lantern Parade, Cardigan.

Cragen is set to attract the support of local businesses and plastic free community groups.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Lord-Elis Thomas said: “The Year of the Sea gives us an excellent opportunity to show our fantastic coastline to the world.  From our 50 islands, our 230 beaches with more Blue Flags per mile than anywhere else in Britain – to our world-first 870mile long Wales Coast Path.”

“However, it also gives us a platform to raise awareness of the need to care for our environment – and the impact our activities can have on our seas and coastline.  The Welsh Government is committed to reducing the use of single-use plastics, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this innovative project by the Small World Theatre.  Cragen will help raise awareness of the impact of single-use plastics and the backdrop of our amazing coastline will be a reminder of the beauty that needs to be kept for future generations.”

Follow Cragen’s travels online cleanseascragen.wales and share your ‘sighting’ on social media using the hashtags #cleanseascragen #findyourepic #cleanseas.

This project has received funding via the Tourism Product Innovation Fund (TPIF) and supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government; the Fund aims to encourage new innovative product ideas working in partnership which will have a greater impact and attract more visitors.