SCULPTOR Graham Ibbeson said he is hugely enjoying his work on the ‘Kes’ statue which will hopefully be unveiled in the town centre in memory of author Barry Hines.
Graham has now completed a life-size model of Billy Casper and his kestrel as he was played in the film by Dai Bradley.
It will soon be computer scanned in 3D so it can be used to make miniature versions which will be sold to help raise the estimated £100,000 needed to cast Graham’s work into bronze and have it installed.
“I keep saying I’m retiring from public sculpture,” said Graham. “But I have to say I am really enjoying it.
“I grew up in a pit village, Shafton, and I can really identify with the story of Billy Casper, I have a natural affinity for it I suppose.”
Graham has released a photograph of his work in his studio, revealing it in silhouette.
“I don’t want to reveal any more than that at this stage, but it is coming along very nicely.”
Ronnie Steele, who came up with the idea for the statue and chairs the group which is raising money for it, said more than £20,000 had now been raised in donations, pledges, and orders for Graham’s maquettes of his work.
Ronnie addressed a meeting of Barnsley Trades Council last week hoping to garner support for the project.
“We were thrilled that there was an awful lot of support,” he said.
“They voted unanimously to back the project. We know the TUC itself doesn’t have much money at all as they don’t have subscriptions. So our aim really was just to get their support and hopefully be put in touch with various people at trade unions in Barnsley so we had access to them in the hope they may help us through donations.
“But they did actually decide to support us with a generous donation, which comes on top of another generous donation we’ve already received from the Barnsley National Union of Teachers, now called the NEU.”
Ronnie said the next step was to settle on a site, which he hoped would be somewhere at the heart of the town centre. The group remains in talks with Barnsley Council abut where it could go.
