Sir Terry Pratchett visits housing estate to unveil Discworld-inspired road names

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing

Author Sir Terry Pratchett has unveiled Discworld-inspired road names at a new housing estate in the town linked to the imaginary world.

Peach Pie Street and Treacle Mine Road are among the list of streets named after the comic fantasy series of novels at the Kingwell Rise development in Wincanton, Somerset.

Sir Terry visited the town to unveil the road names and was greeted by hundreds of Discworld fans, many in costume, at housebuilder George Wimpey's offices.

Wincanton was officially twinned in 2002 with the fictional city of Ankh-Morpork from the novels, becoming the first UK town to link with a fictional place.

George Wimpey asked local residents to vote for their favourite road name from a shortlist of 14 suggested by Sir Terry.

Sir Terry said: "I think it's a lovely idea, even though it makes my head spin to think of the books becoming a little closer to reality.

"And they are nice names, even though I say it myself.

"Personally, I'd pay good money to live somewhere called Treacle Mine Road."

Councillor Colin Winder, former Mayor of Wincanton, said: "The association with Discworld works extremely well for our town, helping to boost the local economy.

"I even know of three families who moved to Wincanton because of this quirky connection.

"It is wonderful that the roads at Kingwell Rise have been named in this way and it certainly beats the dedications to local dignitaries and village worthies we usually see."

Sir Terry announced in December 2007 that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and has since campaigned to raise awareness of the condition.

He has sold more than 55 million books worldwide and has had his works translated into 33 languages.

Richard Goad, regional sales and marketing director for George Wimpey, said: "With Wincanton's well established links with Ankh-Morpork it seemed fitting to name the roads at Kingwell Rise after places in Discworld.

"We couldn't have asked for a more authoritative expert on the subject than Sir Terry himself, so we are delighted he agreed to be involved with this unique project."

The unveiling will be held at George Wimpey, in High Street, Wincanton.

Scores of Discworld fans dressed as characters, like Cohen the Barbarian and Dotsy and Sadie the agony aunts, turned out to see Sir Terry and have pictures taken with the two street names.

More than 1,000 people voted for the names Peach Pie Street and Treacle Mine Road which will sit alongside more traditionally named streets chosen by the local council on the 212 house estate which will be completed in 2011.

Sir Terry said: "I did not expect to see streets named after places in Discworld but I also didn't expect to get a knighthood, it just happens. Peach Pie Street and Treacle Mine Road are the types of names you would see in villages up and down the country, they are names from a fantasy series but they have an old English feel about them.

"I have done murder mysteries, romances, thrillers and if you throw in a couple of dragons they call you a fantasy writer."

Mock-ups of the signs will be auctioned off in July to raise money for the Alzheimer's Research Trust on www.discworldemporium.com. Sir Terry, a patron of the charity, said his condition was not stopping him from completing his next Discworld instalment.

He said: "I am one month away from finishing a book which started out as a Discworld novel but is now a Discworld social drama with romance.

"I'm writing up a storm at the moment but I find typography hard, when I move the cursor on the computer screen.

"The problems I have are visual, if I put down three plant pots I will only see two, the mind does not quite work with the eyes.

"The problem with the version of Alzheimer's I have is that most people think there is nothing wrong with me because I am capable of unmitigated speech and we think that talking means you are fit and well.

"People would not have listened to me if I was Terry Pratchett the mechanic but as the author people pay attention."

Bernard Pearson owns The Cunning Artificer, a Discworld shop in Wincanton High Street. He said: "Wincanton because of its association with Discworld has become a pilgrimage for Discworld fans, across the world.

"The naming of the streets is a tremendous accolade for Terry, it is a wonderful piece of immortality because they will always be on the map.

"If the success of Discworld comes to an end, postmen will still be delivering to No.55 Peach Pie Street."