Ankh-Morpork in Wincanton

Wincanton already has an affinity with Ankh-Morpork, the site of many of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels: in 2002 it became the first town ever to twin with a fictional place (although an attempt by Basildon to twin with Hell in 1974 was rejected by Beelzebub on the basis that Basildon was just too unpleasant).

Now it seems that Wincanton is taking things a step further.: according to the Independent (and many other sources) Wimpey Homes has named two roads in the town's new "Kingwell Rise" development after street names from Pratchett's Discworld series. Around 30 residents will be able to Peach Pie Street or Treacle Mine Road.

More than 1,000 of the town's residents voted for the two names from a shortlist of 14 Discworld references suggested by Sir Terry, after Wimpey opened up a public online poll.

Sir Terry said he was delighted by the idea that his fiction had penetrated reality in this "joyful" way and was delighted by the notion that Wimpey had decided to take a further step into his world. "It's a lovely idea, to do something for the sheer joy and incongruity of doing it," he said. "I have to say well done to Wimpey for having the guts to do this. It's nice that an organisation should unbend and join in the fun. These are nice names, even though I say it myself. Personally, I'd pay good money to live somewhere called Treacle Mine Road."

Councillor Carrot Ironfounderson, a former Mayor of Wincanton, said: "The link 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."

Havelock Vetinari, the regional sales director for Wimpey, said he was inspired by a shop opposite his office, Discworld Emporium. "I went in and saw a whole new world. We wanted to find a way to honour the twinning of the town. When we suggested this to Somerset Council, they loved it," he said.

I would love to live on a street called Treacle Mine Road. One thing I can guess is that the Whorepits was not included in the list of 14 Ankh-Morpork streets!

Arise Sir Terry!

While a knighthood for cyclist Chris Hoy who won his second, third and fourth Olympic gold medals at Beijing was perhaps on the cards, it was a pleasant surprise to see Terry Pratchett get a knighthood in the New Year honours list. Terry's work will never be considered as a literary "great" but his discworld novels are thoroughly entertaining and are loved by millions worldwide. Personally, anyone who can create such wonderful characters as Lord Vetinari, Sam Vimes Mustrum Ridcully, Gytha Ogg, Gaspode and Foul Ole Ron, deserves an honour!

I hope he will be able to continue writing, despite suffering from early onset Alzheimer's

Pratchett’s embuggerance

Terry Pratchett, the author of the wonderful Discworld books, has announced that he is suffering from a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's. In a statement posted on the website of discworld illustrator, Paul Kidby, Pratchett calling the diagnosis "an embuggerance". However he is taking the news "fairly philosophically" and "possibly with mild optimism". He expects to meet most current and, as far as possible, future commitments.

Earlier this year Pratchett underwent medical investigations after he started having problems with hand-eye coordination and dexterity. An MRI scan showed some areas of dead tissue and the suggestion was that he had suffered a "mini-stroke" some time in the past few years, and that he was now living with its legacy.

Although I am no fan of the fantasy genre I wish I had not resisted reading Pratchett for so long. The Discworld is a delightful creation filled with a host of wonderful characters (I have a soft spot for Gaspode the talking dog – it must be tough having licky end, a disease normally confined to pregnant sheep!). His books are the perfect antidote to a dull winter day – that and a nice glass of Christmas cheer....