Colwyn Bay Monty Python statue appeal closes in on £120,000 target

A Python on the Prom was a campaign created by Jones' children Sally and Bill Jones, the Conwy Arts Trust, colleagues at Theatr Colwyn where he was patron and the famous Pythons themselves - Sir Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam.

The plan, supported by Conwy County Borough Council, is for Llandudno sculptor Nick Elphick to create a lasting tribute to Terry to be placed on the Prom at Colwyn Bay - the town he loved so much.

This week that fundraising effort has reached £94,604 thanks to the launch of exclusive t-shirts for fans to purchase at a-python-on-the-prom.teemill.com plus the generosity of more than 1,000 Python fans at www.gofundme.com/f/terryjonesstatue.

The campaign has drawn support from celebs like Steve Coogan, Emma Thompson, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jo Brand and Conan O'Brien.

"We are thrilled to reach this point in the fundraising," said Sally Jones, Terry’s daughter. "We have just over £25,000 left to raise to reach our goal!

"Everyone has been so generous. Our t-shirts have sold worldwide and we've had over 1000 donations in just one month."

Read more:

Monty Python stars launch Terry Jones statue campaign in Colwyn Bay

Celebs help Colwyn Bay Monty Python statue appeal reach halfway mark

Monty Python fans can now get Colwyn Bay statue campaign t-shirts

Artist Nick Elphick, has released an image of his first maquette of Terry’s likeness, sculpted in clay. There is no clue yet as to whether the final sculpture will depict Jones as his famous 'naked organist' character, Brian's mother from the Life of Brian or one of his myriad other fantastic creations. 

Sanjeev Bhaskar is the latest celeb to back the Python on the Prom campaign. (Image: A Python on the Prom)

Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar said: "Since Terry never won ‘Rear of the Year’ I think his posterior preserved for posterity in Colwyn Bay seems right. I’m absolutely behind it."

Although public opinion seems to be in favour of the naked organist pose, Sally said: "It hasn’t been decided what character we will use for Dad's statue.

"We feel it’s really important that a decision like this is made with the people of Colwyn Bay, after all they are going to have to live with this sculpture everyday.

"For Nick, working on these maquettes is the equivalent of making sketches, trying to find Dad’s likeness, before embarking on the actual statue. This is part of a long process before he begins work on the final character and pose."

Nick doesn’t usually reveal his work at this early stage but has shared an image of one of these early models.

“I start with research and photographs for reference, as well as talking to the family and watching his work," he said. "I want to really get to know him as a human being as well as through his character and his art."

Sally said  "I'm so excited to see Dad emerging from clay. I first started talking about the idea of a statue with Nick over two years ago and it is just wonderful to start seeing it come into being."