Terry Jones statue proposed for his Colwyn Bay home town
- A funding campaign has launched for a statue of Terry Jones
- The life-sized bronze sculpture is intended for his north Wales home town
- John Cleese quips: "I would have preferred that he be immortalised by not dying"
A campaign has just been launched to fund a statue of Terry Jones.
Late Monty Python troupe member, writer, actor, director and historian Terry Jones was born and lived as a child in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. The life-sized bronze sculpture is hoped to be erected on the beach-side town's promenade.
£120,000 is now being sought by Conwy Arts Trust to fund the statue, in association with his children, Sally and Bill, and the support of local councillors, the town's mayor, a range of celebrity friends and admirers, and the four surviving Pythons, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, John Cleese and Terry Gilliam.
A crowdfunding campaign is now open with GoFundMe.
Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam attended an event in Colwyn Bay to launch the campaign, and gave speeches:
Later in life, Jones became Patron of Theatr Colwyn, a local venue where his grandfather, mother and aunt all appeared on stage as both amateurs and professionals.
If the campaign is successful, the statue is planned to be mounted at ground level rather than on a plinth, so that visitors may interact directly with it. It will be created by Llandudno-based sculptor Nick Elphick.
John Cleese says: "I am so delighted that Terry is being immortalised in bronze, although I would have preferred that he be immortalised by not dying. Still, bronze is better than nothing."
Eric Idle adds: "Finally Terry gets the recognition he deserves. A statue no less. Ok, so it's not an airport or a boulevard, but a statue in Colwyn Bay is lovely and a wonderful way to remember this fabulous man."
Terry Gilliam quipped that the statue "keeps Python alive in death".
Sarah Ecob, Head of Service for Economy and Culture at Conwy County Borough Council, said: "Terry Jones was a much loved and valued patron of Theatr Colwyn for 14 years. His regular visits to Colwyn Bay brought joy to us and our audiences. Celebrating Terry's life with a very silly statue is a fitting tribute to this most brilliant son of Colwyn Bay. Sadly, our budgets, which keep Theatr Colwyn affordable, exciting and welcoming for all, don't stretch to funding the statue. It would mean the world to us if you could help make the statue a reality by chipping in a few pounds or whatever you can afford. We're looking forward to seeing Terry's statue in pride of place on the prom, once again bringing a smile to all who see him."
Cllr Aaron Wynne, Conwy County Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, said: "Everyone associated with Theatr Colwyn was very proud when Terry Jones agreed to become the first patron; the support he gave the theatre and the town was always greatly appreciated. It would be fitting if his support could be acknowledged in a lasting way, and I wish Conwy Arts Trust every success with their fundraising campaign."
Ricki Owen, Mayor of Colwyn Bay, said: "Having a statue dedicated to Terry Jones here in Colwyn Bay would honour his contribution to the area over many years and keep his legacy going. As a childhood fan of Monty Python, I am delighted to support this project and urge anyone who is able to donate or get involved in any way they can. Also, to have the sculpture commissioned by a local artist is also a fantastic addition to this project."
Supporters include Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jo Brand, Emma Thompson, Simon Fanshawe OBE, Alex Horne, Steven Isserlis CBE and Cerys Matthews.
Horne says: "In thousands of years time, when future archaeologists are looking at our statues in the same way we look at those of Pompeii and Ancient Rome, there would be no better hero than a naked Terry Jones. Please let us immortalise the silly great man."
Steve Coogan recorded the following video in support of the campaign: