Comedy fans – Monty Python wants your help. Sir Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam are among those campaigning for a statue of fellow Python Terry Jones (who died in 2020 following a dementia diagnosis) in his place of birth.
Led by Jones’ family and the Conwy Arts Trust, the ‘Python on the Prom’ campaign wants to raise £120,000 to install a statue of Jones on the promenade of Colwyn Bay in north Wales. Jones was born there in 1942 before moving to Surrey age five.
The campaign website reads: ‘The plan is for a life-size statue to sit on the Promenade, not on a plinth, but on the ground, amongst the beach goers, who can shake his hand or put an arm round him for a chat and a photo. Terry was always an approachable, affable man, so we think he would be happiest next to his beloved beach, back once again in his home town.’
Celebs like Steve Coogan, Jo Brand, Emma Thompson and Alex Horne are also encouraging people to donate. If enough money is raised, the bronze sculpture will be made by Llandudno-based artist Nick Elphick.
The statue would also feature a QR code to allow visitors to make donations to the Conwy Arts Trust and the National Brain Appeal for its dementia research. So far, over £42,000 has been raised. You can find the GoFundMe here.
Speaking of statues...
Take a look at this depiction of the Rolling Stones in their hometown, read why this recent tribute to Jane Austen was so controversial, dig into the stories behind London’s most scandalous sculptures and check out our pick of the UK’s very best sculpture parks.
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