Statue to Honor Terry Jones in His Birthplace
A statue commemorating Terry Jones, the actor and writer known for his role in the British comedy group Monty Python, is set to be unveiled this weekend in his birthplace, Colwyn Bay.
Jones, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 77 due to a rare form of dementia, is being memorialized in bronze as the nude organist, a character he frequently portrayed in Monty Python's Flying Circus TV series. This tribute was supported by his family through a fundraising campaign.
Support from Fellow Monty Python Members and Celebrities
Sir Michael Palin, Jones' Monty Python colleague, expressed that the late star would find the statue "very funny indeed." Palin and fellow Python member Terry Gilliam will attend the unveiling ceremony overlooking Colwyn Bay beach in north Wales on Saturday.
Other surviving Monty Python members, John Cleese and Eric Idle, also endorsed the campaign. Sir Michael Palin remarked on their collective sense of humor, saying:
"I'm quite surprised because we're a bit of a diverse lot. Nobody ever agrees on anything really, apart from what's funny, and we were always quite good at that."
Prominent figures such as Emma Thompson, Steve Coogan, and Suzy Eddie Izzard helped promote the fundraising effort, which attracted donations globally and reached its £120,000 goal within six months.
Creation of the Statue by Sculptor Nick Elphick
Nick Elphick, a sculptor from Llandudno known for his appearances on the BBC series Extraordinary Portraits, designed the statue after consulting with Jones' family. He noted that the most difficult part was capturing Jones' larger-than-life persona while ensuring the smile was "just right for the family."
The life-sized bronze sculpture depicts Jones nude, sporting a flapping tie and wild hair, grinning as he assumes the classic 'organist' pose. The organ in the statue transitions into Jones' writing desk, incorporating references to his diverse career, including his medieval history publications.
Elphick commented on his dedication to the project:
"I'm a perfectionist so I'm never happy, but I know that I've put my heart and soul into it. I've done literally 15-hour days for nearly a year and a half now, so I'm hoping that people love him."
Terry Jones' Career and Legacy
Jones was involved in performing, co-writing, and directing two Monty Python films: The Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life. He co-directed The Holy Grail with Terry Gilliam and co-wrote the series Ripping Yarns with Michael Palin, whom he met at Oxford University.
Sir Michael Palin recalled:
"Terry was the faster typist, so he would do most of the typing. And come to think of it, he also made the coffee depending where we were working."
Palin added that Jones "would be the last person in the world to want a statue of him" but would "make an exception" for this particular design because, "I think he'd find it very funny indeed."
Although Jones and his family moved to Surrey when he was four years old, he maintained strong ties with Colwyn Bay. He served as patron of Theatr Colwyn and supported its renovation in 2011.
Public Interaction with the Statue
Elphick expressed his hope that the public would engage with the statue, saying:
"You will be completely and utterly interactive with him and I think it's going to make some iconic photographs, especially with that big soft bum he's got."
