Cash bid for memorial to Compo

Aug 20 2001 By Karen Grattage, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PLANS are being drawn up to bid for Euro or National Lottery funding to pay for a statue of Last Of The Summer Wine actor Bill Owen.

The scheme to apply for cash is being forged by Holme Valley Business Association and Bill Owen's son Tom.

Bill Owen - who played Compo - died two years ago, aged 85.

Backers of a statue say it will also promote Holmfirth as a tourist centre and home of the BBC comedy series Last Of The Summer Wine.

The statue is expected to cost about £30,000.

Tom Owen, who now stars as Compo's son in the long-running comedy series, said: "We are certainly going ahead with plans for a statue of Dad in the town.

"But there is a question mark over the practicalities, such as financing the statue.

"We are looking into what grants are available before putting together a bid."

The group would also apply to Kirklees Council for permission to set up the statue in the centre of Holmfirth.

Sculptor Gordon Brown has created miniature figures of Compo, which are being sold at Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre.

Money from the resin-painted and bronze statues has been offered towards the cost of the life-size version.

Mr Owen added: "We will keep people informed about the statue, as plans develop."