THE world-famous Poncysyllte Aqueduct will make its big screen debut in the new Wallace and Gromit movie this Christmas – and with your help it could also be a new Lego set.
The new film, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl from Aardman Animations, is set to appear on BBC on Christmas Day and then Netflix. It features an aqueduct which boaters believe is modelled on the 38 metre high structure built by Thomas Telford, which is a World Heritage Site.
It is understood the Poncysyllte Aqueduct was one of many that the film-makers took inspiration from when designing the film. And, with the famous 1785 structure to feature on the big screen, it could also be a new Lego set which you can build yourself. For the toy brick set to become a reality the public needs to vote for it on the Lego website.
If the aqueduct in the new movie is modelled on Pontcysllte Aqueduct, its appearance on TV and Netflix will boost the chances of the Lego vote reaching the magic 10,000 which may see it likely to become a reality.
Fran Read of the Canal and River Trust is delighted with the connection, she said: “It’s great fun to see what is presumably meant to be Pontcysyllte Aqueduct featured in the new Wallace & Gromit film – although I’m relieved to say that our regular boaters have a much steadier hand on the tiller!
“This iconic structure was built by one of Britain’s greatest engineers, so it’s only fitting that it plays a part in this film about one of today’s best-known fictional inventors. We hope the film will inspire more boaters and visitors to come and cross the ‘stream in the sky’, and support our charity keep these incredible places alive.”
James Anelay, of Roam and Roost Canal Boat Holidays, believes the aqueduct featured in Aardman Animations film is the Llangollen attraction. He said: “The canal aqueduct that appears in the trailer certainly resembles it. Crossing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is the highest canal aqueduct in the world, can certainly feel a little nerve-wracking so I can see why they would choose that aqueduct.
“Whether it’s Pontcysyllte Aqueduct or another canal aqueduct, I’m thrilled to see our historic canal network getting some much-deserved publicity on what will surely be one of the most-watched films this Christmas.”
The six-foot Lego model of Pontcysyllte has been created as part of a community arts project in Wrexham and organisers hope it will inspire people to visit the area and vote for the project.
Mark Evans, regional director for Wales at Glandŵr Cymru, said: “Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is one of the true icons of the waterways, and the possibility of it being added into LEGO’s global collection with both the historic links it has to this part of Wales and the popularity LEGO has worldwide is incredibly fitting.
“The aqueduct draws in thousands of visitors every year who come to see this captivating landmark which carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee. We want people to get behind the campaign to see it incorporated into the LEGO collection.”
The model of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is on display at Tŷ Pawb in Wrexham and needs 10,000 online votes to see it included as the first Welsh landmark in the world-famous LEGO collection. At press time it had just short of 400 votes.
Ian Bancroft, CEO at Wrexham County Borough Council, and UNESCO World Heritage Site Board chair, said: “Wrexham has a long history of being home to innovation, heavy industry and manufacturing; the LEGO factory was a much-loved employer providing jobs in the area for decades.”
The model and the miniaturised aqueduct has been created by Welsh-based @Minibrickarchitecture, sometimes referred to as LEGO Banksy, which has created several other Welsh landmarks. When it has finished its time on display at Tŷ Pawb, it will be part of Glandŵr Cymru’s learning resources in the new Education Resource Space next to the aqueduct.To vote for Pontcysyllte Aqueduct visit the Lego website: ideas.lego.com/projects. Once the project reaches 10,000 votes, it will be reviewed by Lego experts who will then decide whether it becomes part of its range.
