Waking The Dragon

‘Waking the Dragon’ – The creation of a National Landmark

Symbolising the heritage and culture of Wales and the pride of the Welsh People, a magnificent bronze dragon sits proudly upon a 40m tall gleaming tower. This is the potential view for Wrexham and the Borderlands for 2011.
Press are invited to find out more with a presentation at the Ramada Hotel in Wrexham at 10.00am on Monday 1st March.
The 25m dragon sculpture is the long held dream of local businessman and entrepreneur Simon Wingett (youngest son of the late Frank Wingett), and the iconic dragon tower is set to welcome visitors to Wales in dramatic style. Every penny raised from patrons of the tower will be donated to the Frank Wingett Cancer Appeal which is currently celebrating its 30th year of raising awareness of Cancer and championing the need for early diagnosis.
“’Waking the Dragon’ is set to become a cultural icon for North Wales in the way the Statue of Liberty is for America. We see it very much as an 8th Wonder of Wales.” says Simon Wingett.

The tower will sit within a landscape of formal and informal pathways and Oak trees. The area immediately around the tower will depict the four branches of the Mabinogion with the tower itself being at the centre of a circle of stones depicting mabinogion characters. Visitors will enter at the base of the tower where there will be interactive displays and an opportunity to learn more about Welsh Culture before climbing a helical staircase of 206 steps set within the tower (with glass lifts for those less lively). The viewing gallery at the top will allow the visitor to stand beneath the dragon and touch its massive brass talons while taking in magnificent views of Wales and the Marches.
Adjacent to the tower will be a state of the art cultural centre. Plans are set for this to include an art gallery, 100 seater café / bar, 125 seater Mabinogion “destination” restaurant, plus space for education and learning, language study and potentially a museum.

Aled Roberts, Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council said”
There is no doubt that this project will strengthen and further develop the
tourism and heritage offer available to visitors in this part of North
East Wales. The Dragon Project will not only celebrate our unique
heritage and culture, it will also boost the local economy with the
creation of local jobs and draw in a huge number of tourists who will
spend their money locally. The dragon’s location will provide
unrivalled views across Wrexham and the surrounding borderlands and I
have no doubt that we will receive visitors not only Wales but from the
whole of the UK who will want to see this amazing dragon for
themselves”.

In total the build is expected to cost an estimated £6 million and will be funded through a combination of charitable donations, the purchase of steps within the tower and investor finance. Around 50 jobs will be created at the site.

For further information and images contact Sbarc PR (Davina or Fiona) on: 01248 717 903 / Click to email or Click to email