September 05, 2024 - 931 views
Hear Simon talking to Sally and Bill Jones and Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam by going to our podcast https://player.autopod.xyz/685006
A touch of showbiz sprinked its magic on Colwyn Bay today when an appeal to remember one of the town's most famous sons was launched on the Pier.
Worldwide stars Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam travelled from London to set the starting blocks on a £120,000 GoFundMe to remember the late Terry Jones, their friend and fellow member of the iconic Monty Python.
The Pythons are joined by Steve Coogan, Jo Brand, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Emma Thompson, Alex Horne, Simon Fanshawe OBE, Steven Isserlis CBE and Cerys Matthews in backing a fundraising campaign to create a statue to pay tribute to Terry in his hometown of Colwyn Bay.
The campaign is run in partnership with Terry’s children, Sally & Bill Jones, and the Conwy Arts Trust, a Conwy based charity supporting the Arts in North Wales. The campaign also has the support of the Mayor of Colwyn Bay and Conwy County Borough Council.
Terry was born in Colwyn Bay and lived there for the first 5 years of his life until his family moved to Surrey. Later he became a Patron of Theatr Colwyn, a place where his grandfather, mother and aunt all appeared on stage as both amateurs and professionals.
Terry would return to the town often to help with fundraising and other special events to support Theatr Colwyn and the arts in Colwyn Bay, helping to ensure there was always life and laughter.
Emma Thompson has offered her support and said “Terry Jones was a comic genius to whom I largely owe my survival. Laughing with him got me through school. I will always be grateful.”
Jo Brand said “Terry was lovely, warm and absolutely hilarious. When I learnt to play the organ several years ago, it was always Terry I thought of when I sat down to play. If anyone deserves a statue, it’s Terry.”
Steve Coogan in a moving video message has said “Terry was and remains a hero to me in exemplifying the very best of British, that British sense of anarchy and eccentricity… The original disrupters were Monty Python and as the years go by my affection for them grows exponentially, it’s about time we celebrated and saluted one of our greats.”
Steven Isserlis CBE said “I love the idea of a statue of Terry Jones in Colwyn Bay! Terry remained deeply, irreversibly, defiantly Welsh throughout his life, and would have been so proud to know that his image would grace or disgrace, as he would have put it, the Promenade.”
Simon Fanshawe OBE has also offered his support to the campaign and sent this memory of Terry “My memories of Terry revolve mostly around food, wine, conversation and laughter…. After a Sunday lunch at ours in Brighton we all lurched naked into the sea off the nudist beach and Terry gesturing at the surrounding water as he held up a stray tea bag that had been floating in the waves, shouted to me “It’s the biggest cup of tea in the world”
The campaign has the backing of all the remaining Python’s with Michael Palin recording a special appeal for donations featured on the GoFundMe page.
Fellow Python Eric Idle said: “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 said “Keeps Python alive in death”.
John Cleese said “I am so delighted that Terry is being immortalized in bronze, although I would have preferred that he be immortalized by not dying. Still, bronze is better than nothing."
GoFundMe was chosen as a platform because it allows everyone around the world who loved Terry, his work and Monty Python to contribute and give something back to Colwyn Bay for giving us Terry.
It is hoped the life-size statue will be sited on the Promenade in Colwyn Bay, with the aim Terry not be up on a plinth but on the ground, in amongst the beach goers giving visitors a chance to interact and take a photo with him. It will be created by Llandudno-based sculptor Nick Elphick.
Nick Elphick on being the artist to bring Terry’s likeness to life “Terry Jones is such an icon, and the fact he is a big part of the history of Colwyn Bay, I’m just really proud.”
The campaign has received enthusiastic local support from Conwy County Borough Council, the Mayor of Colwyn Bay, and town councillors.
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."
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.”
To support the fundraising appeal please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/terryjonesstatue
