A SCULPTURE created to commemorate ‘Kes’ author Barry Hines was unveiled to the public on Wednesday.
The sculpture, which depicts A Kestrel for a Knave character Billy Casper and his kestrel Kes, was funded and commissioned by The Barry Hines Memorial Group (known as The Kes Group.) The group was created by a former pupil of Barry, Ronnie Steele, who wanted to raise money for a statue to commemorate the impact Hines had on the town.
“I was at Longcar Central School in the 1960s and Barry and Brian Glover taught me and they were so different to other teachers,” said Ronnie.
“They gave you 100 per cent respect and you felt that you were worth something when you were being taught by either of them.
“The memorial group feel that Barry deserves this honour because he has put Barnsley on the map and he has had an influence on thousands of people.
“Barry was from an ordinary background, and his father was a miner and what he achieved was something very very special.”
Members of The Kes Group raised money for the sculpture by selling merchandise and smaller statuettes of the sculpture to generate interest and support for the project.
Local artist Graham Ibbeson, who created the life sized bronze statue, was part of the group.
“This kid with a deprived childhood from council houses in a mining community was relatable and I could relate to him because I was the same kid years ago,” said Graham.
“I wanted Billy to be in the street, high up but not overlooking the people, but part of the people.
“He was created here, within a five minute walk from the Town Hall, so he was built in Barnsley, for Barnsley for the Barnsley community.”
The sculpture shows Billy as portrayed by Dai Bradley in the 1969 film adaptation of Hines’ novel. Dai visited the museum to see his likeness immortalised in bronze.
“I am so thrilled for Barry because I think in his own way Barry would be very very happy,” said Dai.
“But humble, because he was a very humble man, he didn’t like the trappings of a celebrity.”
The sculpture is on display in the Experience Barnsley Museum where it will remain until money is raised for a plinth in the town centre.
n To donate, or for merchandise, contact Ronnie Steele on ronste121@aol.com or phone 07728 336 287. Merchandise is also on sale at the Barnsley Antiques Centre, Doncaster Road.
