A campaign for a statue of Discworld creator the late Sir Terry Pratchett to be erected in Salisbury, close to where he lived, got a significant boost this week when councillors unanimously approved the idea.
As we reported earlier, an online petition campaigning for the statue, which has been designed by artist Paul Kidby, had gathered over 8000 signatures (now almost 9000 since our story was posted) and the proposal has support from Sir Terry’s family and fans across the world, including Neil Gaiman, who collaborated with Sir Terry on a number of projects.
Campaign organiser, designer and photographer Emily Brand, who launched the campaign last year, was joined at a meeting of Salisbury City Council services meeting that discussed the plan, joined by Sir Terry’s management team including Rob Wilkins, as well as artist Paul Kidby, all of whom are supportive and enthusiastic for the project.
“We were all set to fight for the statue, to speak about the fantastic responses from everyone across England and the World,” says Emily, “the care Sir Terry had for the area, and the benefits the statue would create to the local community. But the Council only took a few minutes to vote almost unanimously to approve the project, and allow us to move on to the next stage.”
With this terrific boost to the project, costings for the statue will now be worked out and a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for its creation will begin – perhaps backed with sponsorship from local businesses.
“We will also need to have further discussions with the council about reaching an official final design and location,” Emily explains, “so that Paul can begin creating and we can move forward towards planning permission.”
There’s still some was to go, but Council support is a brilliant start.
A spokeswoman for Sir Terry’s family told the BBC last year that he would “undoubtedly” have found the amusement “in almost any statue”.
She said: “Sir Terry always said he would like to be useful in death, so a statue where a pigeon can stop for a well-earned rest would have amused him no end.”
• To keep up to date on this project, follow the petition page (where campaign updates will appear) or follow Emily on twitter @emily_doooom or the official Terry Pratchett twitter @terryandrob
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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