Me: Hey ma? Fancy doing a 500 mile trip to watch Wallace and Gromit in The Wrong Trousers with a live big brass band?
Me mum: Yes.
That’s the kind of positivity you need in your life. No questions asked. Because why on earth wouldn’t you want to do that? Especially if “He was made for good, but he turned to evil!” is your go-to family exclamation for anyone that does anything not wholly moral.
They might get more sun in Essex, but can they claim the mighty Nick Park as their own? Absolutely not.
And because I like to be dramatic, I’ve created an entire Wallace and Gromit themed sesh for Mother’s Day weekend complete with (probably wine fuelled) clay-mation challenges. So this is what we’re doing.
28th March: Mother’s arrival. No time to spare Gromit! Cheese fuelled air dry clay Aardman challenge, to be judged by the 5 year old. Wensleydale to the winner.
29th March: More cheese Gromit? Yeah probably. Then off to Leyland to see The Wrong Trousers in style with Leyland Band providing the musical accompaniment deserving of such creative talent. Read more below about this cracking event, there are still tickets available for the 3.30pm showing at the time of writing.
30th March: I’ve always wanted to go to Farmer Ted’s Adventure Park but to be entirely honest it always seemed a bit expensive for a family of 5. But now I’m in that panic stage of parenting where my eldest is nearly 10 so I have to cram EVERYTHING in while she might still enjoy it alongside her brothers (who may or may not enjoy it as much as their grandma). With the ONLY Sean the Sheep Adventure in the UK, it was the clear choice for Mother’s Day this year. I found a promo code too – use MAD10 for 10% off tickets. It came to £74 for 6 of us so still pretty expensive but I think reasonable for a full Grand Day Out.
31st March: What else but to go and see the newly unveiled Wallace and Gromit and Feathers McGraw statues in Preston? I heard that someone shouted, “Arrest that chicken!” as Mr McGraw was unveiled and now whenever I see it I have to shout the same, as should you. The locals must love it.
The trip from Longridge seems a little far just for some snaps with the stars themselves so we’ll be heading to Cafuné for some South American food and coffee… Not quite in keeping with the theme of the weekend but delicious nonetheless and I’m sure Wallace would approve.
More about The Wrong Trousers with Leyland Band
To honour the creative genius of Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, on Saturday 29th March, Crossgate Church will play host to a special screening of Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers…with a twist. In a celebration of local talent and community, the film will be shown alongside a live brass band performance of the film’s iconic soundtrack, played by the world-renowned Leyland Band.
The performance will be a highlight of a collaborative project, blending the magic of animation with the power of live music. Wallace & Gromit, the beloved characters created by Preston-born Nick Park, have captured hearts worldwide. This event offers a chance for the community to come together in celebration of Park’s remarkable contribution to animation and filmmaking. His creations, including The Wrong Trousers, have had a lasting impact on the animation industry, and this screening is a perfect way to honour his legacy.
Musical Excellence
The Leyland Band, known for their world achievements in brass music, will bring a special element to this event, performing the memorable soundtrack of The Wrong Trousers live. The band’s dynamic performance will elevate the screening, creating a lively, nostalgic atmosphere that brings the community together to celebrate Preston’s rich cultural contributions. Leyland Band is one of the very best brass bands in the world, and will be representing the North West at the National Brass Band Championships at London’s Royal Albert Hall in October. Wallace & Gromit follows on from their highly acclaimed screening of The Snowman LIVE, which will be returning for Christmas 2025!
This screening is more than just an opportunity to watch a beloved film; it’s a chance to support and celebrate local talent, community spirit, and the incredible contributions of Nick Park to the world of animation. With live brass music from the Leyland Band, it’s an experience like no other, creating a shared moment of joy for all attendees.
With the 1pm screening selling out in just over a week, a second screening at 3:30pm has been added to accommodate demand. Tickets for this new screening are selling fast, and organisers encourage those interested to book their tickets soon to avoid disappointment.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday 29th March
Time: 3:30pm (1pm screening – sold out!)
Venue: Crossgate Church, Preston
Tickets: Available online – https://fienta.com/waglive