Press release -
Unveiling of Victoria Wood statue in Bury starts town’s weekend of celebrations of performer and writer’s life and work
Unveiling of Victoria Wood statue in Bury starts town’s weekend of celebrations of performer and writer’s life and work
- Life-size bronze statue of the Prestwich-born comedian, writer and actor to be unveiled in Bury’s Library Gardens next Friday (May 17)
- Fans invited to come along and see the statue for the first time, and help celebrate Victoria’s incredible life and work
- The unveiling begins a weekend of events, including a special brass band performance of Victoria’s music, a gala show at The Met, and a special Sunday opening of the Victoria Wood exhibition.
A life-size bronze statue of Prestwich-born comedy icon Victoria Wood is to be unveiled in Bury town centre next Friday afternoon.
Family, friends and colleagues of the late comedian, actor and writer will gather in the town’s Library Gardens at 2pm to remove the covers from the statue, crafted by renowned artist Graham Ibbeson.
The statue - a joint project of Bury Council and Victoria’s estate - was funded in part by a Crowdfunding appeal set up by Victoria’s brother Chris Foote Wood. Many donations were received from Victoria’s fans from Bury and beyond.
The event on Friday will also see The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band playing a selection of Victoria’s music, including The Ballad of Barry and Freda and much-loved theme tunes from her shows.
There will be a one-off show, now completely sold out, celebrating Victoria’s life and career at The Met, Bury, on Saturday 18 May in aid of the Bury Hospice. Actors including Thelma Barlow and Duncan Preston will be sharing their fond memories and discussing what made Victoria such a popular performer.
The free Victoria Wood Exhibition, currently running at Bury Art Museum, will be open as usual on Friday afternoon and Saturday, and will be open specially on Sunday. It features hundreds of artefacts all owned by Victoria herself, including original scripts, song sheets, photos and costumes.
Leader of Bury Council Cllr Rishi Shori said: “Victoria Wood touched the hearts of millions with her talent for comedy. That she came from Bury is an enormous sense of pride for local people, and we couldn’t be happier that Library Gardens, in the heart of our town, has been chosen as a place for this wonderful, permanent memorial to her.
“We are hoping that along with the people closest to Victoria Wood, including her family, close friends and colleagues, her fans from Bury and beyond will come down and join us as we pay tribute to one of our own.
“The statue will not only serve as a reminder of Victoria's many achievements but I hope will also act as an inspiration to others to use their own talents.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Victoria Wood
Multi BAFTA award-winning comedian, writer and actor Victoria Wood was born in Prestwich and attended Bury Grammar School for Girls. She died in April 2016 from cancer at the age of 62. The mother-of-two found was best known for her BBC sketch Acorn Antiques and the comedy Dinnerladies. She grew to be one of the nation’s most respected and loved comedians.
Graham Ibbeson
Artist and sculptor Graham Ibbeson has created bronze sculptures that can be seen in towns and cities across the UK, including many of much-loved performers. These include the famous statue of Eric Morecambe that stands on one leg in the performer’s hometown of Morecambe, Lancashire.
Victoria Wood Exhibition
https://buryartmuseum.co.uk/Museum-Feature-Exhibitions
Victoria Wood Gala Show – sold out
The Met in Bury is bringing together Victoria Wood’s friends and colleagues for a night of music, comedy and memories in support of Bury Hospice on Saturday May 18. On the weekend of what would have been her birthday, director Noreen Kershaw has assembled a variety evening very much in the spirit of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers.
Actors Thelma Barlow and Duncan Preston, co-stars from Wood’s popular sitcom Dinnerladies, will be sharing memories and discussing what made Victoria such a popular performer.
Entertainment on the night will come from names including the Bolton Bullfrog Bernard Wrigley, singer of songs Graham Lappin, plus memories and monologues from Sally Bankes. Oldham-born Coronation Street and Dinnerladies actress Shobna Gulati looks set to provide one of the highlights of the evening, performing the much-loved ‘Ballad of Barry and Freda.’ Liz Hume-Dawson will be the ‘Woman in Queue’ and Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.
Artistic Director David Agnew said “Victoria Wood’s impact and influence is something that is still felt by so many of the artists and comedians that come to Bury, as well as so many people who enjoy music and comedy in the town, that we really felt this was the right time to bring together a celebration event.
Bury-based actor and director Noreen Kershaw, who is co-ordinating the evening, said “I once played a carrot for Victoria Wood! It’s a privilege to remember such a special person and talent ... and for those memories to go towards helping such a special place as Bury Hospice.”
Media handling for the event:
Ruth Ibbotson / Hannah Tollman
Neil Reading PR
020 7839 2277
Topics
Regions
Unveiling of Victoria Wood statue in Bury starts town’s weekend of celebrations of performer and writer’s life and work
- Life-size bronze statue of the Prestwich-born comedian, writer and actor to be unveiled in Bury’s Library Gardens next Friday (May 17)
- Fans invited to come along and see the statue for the first time, and help celebrate Victoria’s incredible life and work
- The unveiling begins a weekend of events, including a special brass band performance of Victoria’s music, a gala show at The Met, and a special Sunday opening of the Victoria Wood exhibition.
A life-size bronze statue of Prestwich-born comedy icon Victoria Wood is to be unveiled in Bury town centre next Friday afternoon.
Family, friends and colleagues of the late comedian, actor and writer will gather in the town’s Library Gardens at 2pm to remove the covers from the statue, crafted by renowned artist Graham Ibbeson.
The statue - a joint project of Bury Council and Victoria’s estate - was funded in part by a Crowdfunding appeal set up by Victoria’s brother Chris Foote Wood. Many donations were received from Victoria’s fans from Bury and beyond.
The event on Friday will also see The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band playing a selection of Victoria’s music, including The Ballad of Barry and Freda and much-loved theme tunes from her shows.
There will be a one-off show, now completely sold out, celebrating Victoria’s life and career at The Met, Bury, on Saturday 18 May in aid of the Bury Hospice. Actors including Thelma Barlow and Duncan Preston will be sharing their fond memories and discussing what made Victoria such a popular performer.
The free Victoria Wood Exhibition, currently running at Bury Art Museum, will be open as usual on Friday afternoon and Saturday, and will be open specially on Sunday. It features hundreds of artefacts all owned by Victoria herself, including original scripts, song sheets, photos and costumes.
Leader of Bury Council Cllr Rishi Shori said: “Victoria Wood touched the hearts of millions with her talent for comedy. That she came from Bury is an enormous sense of pride for local people, and we couldn’t be happier that Library Gardens, in the heart of our town, has been chosen as a place for this wonderful, permanent memorial to her.
“We are hoping that along with the people closest to Victoria Wood, including her family, close friends and colleagues, her fans from Bury and beyond will come down and join us as we pay tribute to one of our own.
“The statue will not only serve as a reminder of Victoria's many achievements but I hope will also act as an inspiration to others to use their own talents.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Victoria Wood
Multi BAFTA award-winning comedian, writer and actor Victoria Wood was born in Prestwich and attended Bury Grammar School for Girls. She died in April 2016 from cancer at the age of 62. The mother-of-two found was best known for her BBC sketch Acorn Antiques and the comedy Dinnerladies. She grew to be one of the nation’s most respected and loved comedians.
Graham Ibbeson
Artist and sculptor Graham Ibbeson has created bronze sculptures that can be seen in towns and cities across the UK, including many of much-loved performers. These include the famous statue of Eric Morecambe that stands on one leg in the performer’s hometown of Morecambe, Lancashire.
Victoria Wood Exhibition
https://buryartmuseum.co.uk/Museum-Feature-Exhibitions
Victoria Wood Gala Show – sold out
The Met in Bury is bringing together Victoria Wood’s friends and colleagues for a night of music, comedy and memories in support of Bury Hospice on Saturday May 18. On the weekend of what would have been her birthday, director Noreen Kershaw has assembled a variety evening very much in the spirit of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers.
Actors Thelma Barlow and Duncan Preston, co-stars from Wood’s popular sitcom Dinnerladies, will be sharing memories and discussing what made Victoria such a popular performer.
Entertainment on the night will come from names including the Bolton Bullfrog Bernard Wrigley, singer of songs Graham Lappin, plus memories and monologues from Sally Bankes. Oldham-born Coronation Street and Dinnerladies actress Shobna Gulati looks set to provide one of the highlights of the evening, performing the much-loved ‘Ballad of Barry and Freda.’ Liz Hume-Dawson will be the ‘Woman in Queue’ and Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.
Artistic Director David Agnew said “Victoria Wood’s impact and influence is something that is still felt by so many of the artists and comedians that come to Bury, as well as so many people who enjoy music and comedy in the town, that we really felt this was the right time to bring together a celebration event.
Bury-based actor and director Noreen Kershaw, who is co-ordinating the evening, said “I once played a carrot for Victoria Wood! It’s a privilege to remember such a special person and talent ... and for those memories to go towards helping such a special place as Bury Hospice.”
Media handling for the event:
Ruth Ibbotson / Hannah Tollman
Neil Reading PR
020 7839 2277
