£120,000 crowdfunder launched for a memorial in his Colwyn Bay birthplace

Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam are launching a £120,000 GoFundMe crowdfunder to erect a statue to their Monty Python co-star Terry Jones.

Also backing their campaign for a statue in his hometown of Colwyn Bay are fellow Pythons John Cleese and Eric Idle, comics Steve Coogan, Jo Brand, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Emma Thompson, Alex Horne and Simon Fanshawe, cellist Steven Isserlis CBE and singer and BBC 6 Music presenter Cerys Matthews – as well as Terry’s children, Sally and Bill Jones.

Jones lived in Colwyn Bay for the first five 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.  

 The plan is for a  life-size statue to be erected on the town’s Promenade, and ground level, so  visitors could  interact and take a photo with him. 

It will be created by Llandudno-based sculptor Nick Elphick, who said: ‘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.’

Here is the offiiceal  video lauching the fundraising campaign:

Eric Idle: 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."

John Cleese: 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."

Emma Thompson: ‘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: '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.’

Alex Horne: '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: ‘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.’

Simon Fanshawe: ‘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"’

Jones died in January 2020 at the age of 77 at his home in Highgate, North London. from complications of dementia. 

The campaign has received local support from Conwy County Borough Council, the Mayor of Colwyn Bay, and town councillors.

Sarah Ecob, Conwy County Borough Council’ s culture chef 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, added: '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.’

Click here to donate to the crowdfunding campaign.

Published: 5 Sep 2024