The triumphant return of the Eric Morecambe statue to the Morecambe sea front is being followed up with work on the fundraising plans for the ‘Eric and Ernie’ Wall Art to be created by sculpture Graham Ibbeson to be sited in The Sunshine Garden of Fame adjacent to the Midland Hotel.
The wall will be unveiled on 23rd July 2015, designated Eric Morecambe Day, the sixteenth anniversary of the statue’s unveiling.
A web site has been set up to provide an online focus for the Day, although there’s not much there yet – http://ericmorecambestatue.org
The project will be coordinated by Graham’s business partner Jim Cadman on behalf of the local community in Morecambe and the friends and admirers of Eric Morecambe from all over the world.
“In a word these plans are fantastic”, enthused Eric’s son Gary when the plans for the Day were first announced last year. “In two words: really fantastic!
“The whole project is very exciting. I love the idea of the bronze wall art of Eric and Ernie and of the Eric Morecambe Day, which is a sublime, annual tribute. As a family we all love the idea of an Eric Morecambe Day and we will make sure one or more of us is there to celebrate these Days with the people of Morecambe”.
Several ideas are in the works to raise money to fund the project, including an Eric in Morecambe tribute magazine which will be published in March, telling the story of the original statue plus tributes from many of Eric’s friends and admirers plus hundreds of original photographs and exclusive items of rare theatrical memorabilia.
Lancaster District Chamber of Commerce is also planning events such as a Morecambe and Wise Celebrity Golf Tournament, a Tribute Dinner at the Globe Arena and Morecambe Carnival will also be backing the project.
It’s also hoped a special First Day Cover, designed by local school children, will be released as part of the celebrations.
The Sunshine Garden of Fame will be created around the new bronze wall art to be sited adjacent to the Midland Hotel and diagonally opposite the Winter Gardens Theatre. There will be ‘Sunshine Plaques’ incorporated into the walk way with each one dedicated to a celebrity friend or admirer of Morecambe and Wise.
A limited edition replica of the ‘new’ Eric Morecambe Statue signed by Graham Ibbeson dated 11 December 2014 is also being released.
• For further information on sponsorship or support please email Jim Cadman jwcATericmorecambestatue.org