Wallace and Gromit

You are in: Bristol > Features > Wallace and Gromit > World-wide support for Aardman statue

Public support for the statue is growing

World-wide support for Aardman statue

International support is growing for the idea of dedicating a statue to Bristol’s Oscar heroes Wallace and Gromit.

Since Aardman's success at the 2006 Academy Awards, where the hapless inventor and his canine sidekick took the Oscar for best animated feature film for their first full-length feature Curse of the Were-Rabbit, news of an appeal to build a statue in the city to honour the claymation duo has spread far and wide.

E-mails of support have come in from as far away as New York, Virginia Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Vancouver.

“This interest confirms my view that such a statue - as well as honouring our local heroes - would actually prove to be a tourist attraction,” said Southville city councillor, Matthew Symonds, who first mooted the idea.

"The tourist attraction idea has been taken up by tourism agencies in Bristol - and a statue is welcomed by the art community, who see Aardman as the pinnacle of the clay animation movie art.

"A statue would have a significant tourist appeal - especially if it was erected in the new Broadmead expanded shopping centre. People might join them for a grand day out,” he said.

The campaign has also been backed by the charity Arts & Business. Regional director Phil Gibby said: "Bristol's business community will back this campaign for three good reasons.

"First, it celebrates the city's reputation as a world leader in animation. Secondly, the statue would be another good reason for tourists to visit Bristol, with all the economic benefits that brings. And thirdly, like everyone else, Bristol businesses are incredibly proud of Aardman and want to recognise their contribution to the city."

And it's not just Bristolians who are tying themselves in a bit of a knot over this whole statue issue, one e-mail of support has been received from the Washington DC Knitting Circle.

"A knitting group in Washington DC follows your efforts to erect a statue to Wallace and Gromit with great interest. We do hope you will show Gromit knitting - to inspire the inner knitter in everyone.

"I'm sure the designers at Aardman can come up with a clay prototype. Thank you for all your good works!"

You can add your voice to the campaign by using the link below.

last updated: 18/09/07

Have Your Say

Should Bristol honour Aardman's Oscar-winning duo? Let us know what you think.

Shirley Chapman
Most Definitely - they have bought such laughter and fun to a worldwide audience, and anyway Gromit is a very loveable hero and sleeps with me every night!

Feathers McGraw
I, for one, am firmly opposed to the idea of a statue of aforementioned 'heroes'. After all the trouble they've caused me! (message censored by prison staff)

klaartje Leemans ( belgium)
Of course !

LINDA WRIGHT
Sounds great - but they must be soft and touchable. Have to be designed by Nick Park, coloured as originals and made of a plastic material that regains it's shape. Everyone knows they're made of plasticine, so they should look and feel that way too - bronze? no, no, NO!

Horace Turner
They have durability- they should be honoured with something durable! Build that statue

Jacque Kowalski
I think that a statue of Wallace and Gromit would be an excellent centrepiece to Bristol. Another great thing we can be proud of.

Katie
Of course we should have a statue of Wallace and Gromit! For once, lets celebrate something great about Bristol instead of depending on our dodgy history.

Jan Morgan
Yes good idea and do put the statue in Millenium square with the water features and make them of a suitable size and material that are child friendly

Richard Cox
I think it would match nicely with the archie leach memorial

Gerald Saumders
With current celebrity status it would attract visitors both locally and internationally.

Raoul Gaston
A statue of wallace, gromit and sean the sheep would put bristol back on the tourist map. i can see the australian tour giudes now: and bristol: capital of shipbuilding, tobacco, slavery, brunel and claymation!

Duncan McKean
Of course we should honour Aardman. We should be proud of Bristol as a part of this worldwide phenomenon.

Jill Yoder
Yes! Wallace and Gromit statuefied! And definitely add a little flock of sheep. I'm a local person now residing in Oregon; this would raise the profile of Bristol internationally.

Justin Horton
I'm a bristolian, living in southern California for the past 4 years. In my view there have been a few key individuals or creations that have put Bristol firmly on the map, globally!Portishead, Roni Size, Massive Attack, Wallace and Grommit, and some of the great work done at the BBC wildlife department in Bristol.As a proud Bristolian, I think a statue is entirely appropriate, and I know that it would attract swarms of American tourists, if it was big enough. Think Eiffel tower or Statue of Liberty!!!

William K
I think it is a great idea to unveil this statue when the new broadmead opens

Norm
I live in New Zealand and I think Wallace & Grommit definitely deserve a statue.

Russell
Great idea. Bristol does not celebrate ANY of its triumphs enough, but will it mysteriously disappear after a few months just like Wallace Walk and Gromit Grove did in Emersons Green??? Can anyone explain why these roads were renamed?

Sheila .
What a wonderful idea! Can't wait!

Leah
Yes, they should. Aardman Animations have put Bristol into the limelight. It would be a good way of putting them into Bristol's history.

Derek Barton
Absolutly,and let Nick design it,then it will display all the fun weve had from watching them

Frank West
Good idea, add a bit of colour and fame to Bristol

Adam
Cracking

Phil Clark
we defiantly should one have preferably a really big one, someone were on spike island the size of the stature of liberty

Richard D
They are animations(!) and the characters are not representative of Bristol in any way. To me the whole idea is a bit Mickey Mouse.

bridget prewett
I think its a good but i also think we should also have a hot air balloon and launch it at the balloon fiesta

Andie B
If there can be a giant beetle like thing in the @Bristol square, then there must be a giant bronze Wallace & Gromit! And whilst they're melting metal, can we have a small flock of sheep too :-)

Duncan Cruickshank
we must celebrate our pride in their achievement - success breeds success

G Bell
I think they definitely deserve a permanent statue to show our pride in Bristol's finest

Elizabeth
Of course Wallace & Gromit should get a statue! They're not just famous in Bristol but Internationally too - though over here in the US I have to explain some of the humor!

Tim
If Cary Grant gets a statue in Bristol, then Aardman should definitely be honoured!

Paul Ricco
They should definitely get a statue. Nick Park should design it too!

Oli
Erm, Nick is from Preston, and even his characters dont sound very "West Country", so perhaps everyone shouldn't go too overboard about Wallace and Grommet being Bristol born and bred?

Vittoria D.
Can a Canadian have a say in this? My family lives in Bristol and I'm just delighted every time I hear Bristol mentioned in relation to Aardman's work, especially at this year's Oscars. I think a statue would be perfect.

Theric Jepson
. It would likely bring tourists as well. I know I'ld come see it.

Dave
This is a fantastic idea. Let's celebrate success here and now instead of always looking back hundreds of years. And they'd look great!

richard rainbow
They are the funniest comedy duo since Laurel and Hardy. They are Oscar winners. They are Bristol born and bred. Is there any reason why they should NOT have a statue erected in their hounour?

Adam Williams
If rugby and cricket heroes are honoured with parades why shouldn't Bristol's own film heroes? It's the least the city can do after all the good-will they have brought to Bristol.

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites

Wallace and Gromit

World-wide support for Aardman statue

Have Your Say

SEE ALSO

	BBC Homepage
BBC Local Bristol Things to do People & Places Nature History Religion & Ethics Arts and Culture BBC Introducing TV & Radio Local BBC Sites News Sport Weather Travel Neighbouring Sites Gloucestershire Somerset Wiltshire SE Wales Related BBC Sites England

	Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend!

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites

Wallace and Gromit

World-wide support for Aardman statue

Have Your Say

SEE ALSO

See Also

On the rest of the web