 |
Leading chatshow host Michael Parkinson is spearheading a high
profile campaign, to erect a statue in memory of one
of Yorkshire’s most famous cricketers - Fred
Trueman. The cost of the final bronze statue is estimated
at between £80,000 -£100,000. |
| Fred's
wife, Veronica Trueman, has welcomed the proposals
for the statue to stand in Skipton in North Yorkshire
- where Fred made his home. The campaign is part of
Northern Rail’s NorthernArt project
and will see a statue produced by Graham Ibbeson, ambassador
for NorthernArt and one of the country’s most
popular figurative sculptors. |
 |
Graham
was responsible for creating the celebrated statue
of Eric Morecambe doing the Sunshine Dance, which has
been credited with helping to quadruple the number
of visitors to Morecambe since
it was unveiled by the Queen |
| two
years ago. Northern
Rail, supported by Yorkshire
County Cricket Club, Skipton
Building Society and Craven
District Council, will launch a number of initiatives
to raise funds to create the sculpture. In the long
term it is hoped to raise funds to support diversionary
activities for young people such as cricket academies
and art workshops in the north of England. |
| Heidi
Mottram, Managing Director, Northern Rail said: “Supporting
the commission of the statue and the fundraising initiatives
is a great addition to our NorthernArt initiative and
our work within schools and local communities.” |
| Stewart
Regan, chief executive of Yorkshire County Cricket
Club said: “We are delighted to be involved in
the production of such a fantastic monument to Fred
Trueman. It is only right that Fred’s contribution
to both Yorkshire and England be acknowledged in this
way.” |
 |
