Sep 2025
In celebration of The Grand Appeal’s beloved Gromit Unleashed 3 trail, the Severnside Community Rail Partnership hosted a special activity train adventure for families.
As the trail neared its end, members of communities close to stations on the line were invited on a free rail trip to Bristol Temple Meads, where they joined in the hunt for colourful sculptures of Wallace, Gromit, and friends scattered across the city. A highlight of the day was the presence of artist Ruth Broadway, painter of the ‘Wednesday’ sculpture located at Bristol Temple Meads station. In true Aardman style, Ruth was on board leading a hands-on plasticine model-making workshop, sharing the craft behind stop-motion animation, and perhaps even inspiring the next generation of animators.
The initiative was made possible through generous support from the GWR Customer and Communities Improvement Fund, which champions projects that strengthen ties between railways and local communities.
With the help of local influencer Ben Parsons, Severnside Community Rail Partnership has created a series of Instagram reels to demonstrate inspiring car free ways to explore the statue trail. These can be viewed via the Instagram account @severnsiderailpartnership.
Heather Cullimore of Severnside Community Rail Partnership said: “We wanted to offer families a fun and memorable way to experience The Grand Appeal’s Gromit Unleashed 3 trail before the school summer holidays come to an end. 2025 is a landmark year as we celebrate 200 years of the modern railway, and events like this highlight the vital role our railways play in connecting communities and bringing people into the city to enjoy cultural experiences.”
Helen Haskell, Head of Corporate Fundraising, The Grand Appeal said: “Gromit Unleashed 3 has brought so much colour and creativity to Bristol this summer, and it’s wonderful to see families discovering it in new ways. Thanks to Severnside Community Rail Partnership, more children and young people can enjoy the sculptures, while also experiencing the trail in a fun and sustainable way. We are thrilled to see the creations these young animators came up with!”
Helen Scholes, Marketing Manager at Great Western Railway, said: “The Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a great opportunity for us to invest in our communities with projects that really make a difference at a local level.
“The Grand Appeal’s Gromit Unleashed 3 trail has been a real summer highlight, with many of the statues being easily accessible from our stations around Bristol. Thanks to Severnside Community Rail Partnership, local families within the community have been able to enjoy a unique and unforgettable on-board experience with us.
“We’ve been thrilled to be able to bring so many people to Bristol this summer as they explore this exciting city with a little help from Gromit.”
