National Trust to Debut New Wallace & Gromit Animation Over Jubilee Weekend

SWINDON, England, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The National Trust has launched a campaign teaming up with national treasures Wallace and Gromit to help lead the country's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

A weekend of over 70 Jubilee tea parties will be held across the country where the loveable duo's new mini animation will be shown for the first time ever at Trust places. The funny flick has been specially created for the festivities as part of the National Trust Summer of Celebration campaign and shows the pair preparing for the big weekend, by scaling the ladders to hoist the bunting up around a magnificent Trust manor.

The green grass carpet will be rolled out for the mini animation (titled 'A Jubilee Bunt-a-thon') and a behind-the-scenes documentary, which are to be exclusively screened at the Trust's Jubilee parties. Their films have already been met with the royal seal of approval from Camilla declaring that Wallace and Gromit are Prince Charles' "favourite people in the world". 

The one-minute animation begins in the familiar setting of 62 West Wallaby Street with the ever faithful and long suffering Gromit sitting at his sewing machine making miles of bunting to adorn National Trust places across the country.

Tony Berry, Visitor Experience Director of the National Trust, commented: "The National Trust and Wallace and Gromit are two of Britain's greatest treasures and we felt it fitting that in this summer of celebration we should bring them together. We are holding our very own premiere of Wallace & Gromit's Jubilee Bunt-a thon at our properties, it was made exclusively for the National Trust and we are really excited that it will encourage the nation to join us for an extra special Diamond Jubilee celebration."

Nick Park, creator of Wallace and Gromit, commented: "I have to pinch myself when I think how far Wallace and Gromit have come; from ideas in my head, to 'film stars' working with great organisations such as the National Trust, which the nation holds dear to its heart. At Aardman we are thrilled that Wallace and Gromit have had a chance to explore all the Trust has to offer, from helping to put up bunting to enjoying their Wensleydale cheese platter at a picnic. Wallace and Gromit are in for a cracking summer at the National Trust.

"The National Trust has a special place in my heart from a childhood memory of completing a paint- by- numbers at Stourhead, to Montacute House, on which we based Tottington Hall in the Curse of the Were-rabbit."

The nation's much loved comedy duo have paired up with the Trust for some cracking Jubilee parties this summer which, along with the debut of the mini animation and behind the scenes 'making of…' film, will also feature Wallace and Gromit model making workshops with trained Aardman animators, themed trails, a variety of fun games for children and exclusive themed retail and catering treats for all the family.

Wallace & Gromit's Jubilee Bunt-a-thon will be shown on 4th June at fourteen National Trust properties as part of the Summer of Celebration Diamond Jubilee parties. For a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Wallace and Gromit film visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallaceandgromit.

About National Trust:

The National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 710 miles of coastline and hundreds of historic places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information and ideas for great value family days out go to: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

About Aardman:

Aardman, based in Bristol (UK) co-founded and run by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is a multi-award winning world leader in animation. It produces feature films, television series and television commercials for both the domestic and international market.

PR Contact:
Mike Collins
Senior Press Officer
The National Trust
Heelis
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2NA
+44(0)1793-817708
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk