Philip Pullman goes underground to bring his genius to Eden’s the Edge

The acclaimed writer Philip Pullman, the creative genius behind the epic fantasy The Golden Compass, has pledged his support to the Eden Project’s campaign to build the Edge.

The eagerly-awaited film stars Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, and is based on the first novel in the His Dark Materials trilogy. It is due for release on Wednesday (December 5), two days before telephone voting begins in the Big Lottery Fund’s: the People’s £50 Million Contest, in which the Edge is one of four bidders.

The Edge will be a visionary new building meeting the challenges of climate change, to stand alongside Eden’s world-famous Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes.

Philip Pullman has accepted Eden chief executive Tim Smit’s invitation to curate one of the underground chambers beneath the Edge. The chambers will be a space for some of the great thinkers of the age and invited community groups to look at mankind’s relationship with nature and one-planet living.

The addition of the author to an impressive “Edge Supporters Gallery” including the United Nations, Oxfam, Christian Aid, England rugby captain Phil Vickery, Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell and TV presenters Ray Mears and Alan Titchmarsh, is a considerable honour for Eden as it goes into the last full week of its campaign.

The Golden Compass was published in Britain as Northern Lights. The Subtle Knife and the Amber Spyglass complete the trilogy.

Philip Pullman said: “I wish the Edge the very best of luck. I shall be watching the competition on TV and of course I would love to contribute to the Edge if it wins.”

Tim Smit said: “Philip is one of the great thinkers of our generation and we are hugely excited to have him as a supporter and collaborator.”