MONTY Python stars Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam have helped launch a £120,000 campaign to create a statue of fellow Python Terry Jones in his home town of Colwyn Bay.
The duo visited the town with Jones' children Sally and Bill to kick-off the Python on the Prom fundraiser with the Conwy Arts Trust, visiting Colwyn Bay's famous pier before hosting a Q&A at a special showing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail at Theatr Colwyn.
They were welcomed by the musicians from community music group Ghostbuskers who performed an original composition in memory of Jones, who was for many years a champion of the arts in Colwyn Bay despite leaving the town when he was just five.
"He remained fiercely proud to be Welsh and to be from Colwyn Bay all his life," said Jones' daughter Sally. "He would be incredibly proud to have a statue of him in Colwyn Bay, He wouldn't have been interested in a statue anywhere else.
"He was the first patron of Theatr Colwyn and visited often, supporting cultural and arts organisations in the town. He loved to give back, perhaps feeling like he was making up for leaving.
"Hopefully it will attract Python fans from all over the world to Colwyn Bay!"
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"He would often bother Joann Rae at Theatr Colwyn," added Bill. "He was known to cause her panic from time to time by climbing precariously on the table in her office to see the view from her window.
"So when, after he died, Joann came up with the idea of celebrating with a statue we thought it was a wonderful idea. There aren't that many statues of comedians in this country."
When they were approached to support the appeal, the Python's threw their full support behind it.
"I thought it was a very good idea from the start," said Palin. "I thought it had an element of the exotic. It was up in Wales so it would take care of Terry's 'Welshness' because he was very keen on that and kept on about it.
"So with a statue he'd be stuck here for the rest of time!
"The idea of a Python statue seems a bit weird, like it's not the kind of thing a Python would want, but when I heard the possibility Terry could be depicted as the nude organist character, on the prom, here in Colwyn Bay in the sun and the rain where people can come along and be pictured with him I thought that's a nice idea."
Gilliam, who as well as performing alongside Jones co-directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail with him, said: "This statue will make up for all the years that he wasn't here.
"I think he would have hated it, that's why we want it done. To punish him for all he did to us!"
So what would Jones himself think of the idea of being immortalised in bronze?
"It's a difficult question to answer because whatever you say will be wrong," said Palin. "He would wrong-foot you all the time about what he really thought.
"He would love to be associated with Colwyn Bay and with Wales. I think if he got the right statue, it wasn't too serious and was funny he would like it. Anything too formal he would say no."
"I really think the nude organist is a good idea," said Gilliam. "People could come from all over the world to rub his bottom for good luck! Terry would love that more than anything."
Fellow Pythons Eric Idle and John Cleese have also given their support to the campaign.
"Finally Terry gets the recognition he deserves," said Idle. "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."
While Cleese added: "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."
Designs are already being worked on by Llandudno sculptor Nick Elphick, who said: "The pressure to capture the essence of such an incredible and much loved man is intense.
"But I've already been in contact with Michael and Terry Gilliam and they are going to send me material and ideas to work with. To work with such creative minds is amazing.
"No design has yet been finalised but I know there are a few favourites coming out already so we will see."
The campaign has already raised more than £36,000 with celebrity fans contributing. Fans can also make a contribution via the GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/f/terryjonesstatue.
In a moving video message Steve Coogan 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.”
Actress Emma Thompson also offered her support.
"Terry Jones was a comic genius to whom I largely owe my survival," she said. Laughing with him got me through school. I will always be grateful."
Comedian 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.”
“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," added Taskmaster's Alex Horne. "Please let us immortalise the silly great man.”
Jones' friend, cellist 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 - the Promenade."
Writer, activist and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe OBE also offered his support to the campaign.
"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'."
Dignitaries at the launch included Mayor of Colwyn Bay Ricki Owen and Conwy Council Leader Sue Shotter.
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.
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.
Mayor Owen 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."
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