Momentum for Mayall memorial in Droitwich gathers pace as artist speaks up for his idea - The Droitwich Standard

Momentum for Mayall memorial in Droitwich gathers pace as artist speaks up for his idea

Droitwich Editorial 20th Jul, 2018   0

THE ARTIST who put forward the proposal for a permanent memorial to Rik Mayall in Droitwich says he is determined to make the project happen.

And The Standard will be backing any efforts to remember the comedy legend who grew up in the town.

Discussions were held a fortnight ago by Droitwich Town Council about the proposal put forward by Cal.

The council declined his offer ‘at this time’ and said, if a piece was going to be created, it should involve the Droitwich Arts Network and Norbury Theatre and Rik’s family needed to be contacted for their approval.




Cal contacted The Standard this week saying although he now lives in Stourbridge and is a fine art representative of the Black Country Arts Council, he did grow up in Droitwich and was educated in the town Boycott First School (now Westlands) and St Richard De Wych (now closed).

The 41-year-old experimental artist works with multi-media, paint, sculpture, av and embroidery.


He said: “Rik’s passing was a great loss to the acting community and we all felt we had lost a national treasure.

“This charismatic and talented individual was raised in Droitwich and his first acting experience was at Norbury Theatre.

“Rik was a massive inspiration to me and many other artists, musicians, actors and comedians and it is only right that such a talented and loved individual be remembered in this way.”

Cal has also offered to seek funding for the project which he said was gaining support from lots of different people from all across the UK.

“I did say in my original proposal that I would gain input on the design and placement of the monument from Rik’s family, friends and comedy partner Ade Edmonson.

“It would be great if we could gain the support of Norbury Theatre and all the relevant art organisations in Droitwich.

“This project seems like a win win idea and will act to inspire generations to come.”

Cal has also been contacted by one of Rik’s closest friends and friend of Rik’s family who has also agreed to help him move forward this project.

“This project will be of great benefit to my home town of Droitwich and I am very sure it is what the people of Droitwich want.

“I hope the voice of the silent majority speaks out and helps me to create a fitting monument to a truly beautiful man.”

Cal also said he would be more than happy to present his ideas to Droitwich Town Council and the public.

Anyone wanting to get in touch with Cal can email him at [email protected] or visit calsartwork.co.uk to see examples of his work.

The Standard says…. 

THERE has been a phenomenal response to the story about the proposal for a permanent memorial in Droitwich to actor and comedian Rik Mayall via our social media sites and in our inboxes.

We broke the news on our front page last week and will be backing every effort to make it happen.

Droitwich must be the envy of many other towns and cities across the UK having Rik as arguably its most famous son.

It would be great for people from far and wide to head to the Spa to pay tribute to one of the nation’s comedy legends.

 

Standard readers say…

I SPENT the first 18 years of my life growing up in Droitwich, right at the dawn of Rik’s fame.

To be eight years old and in love with comedy is one thing, but for the funniest person you’d ever seen on TV to be from your home town is another entirely.

As a result, I have adored Rik Mayall and the small, but important, geographical link I share with him ever since.

When he died it was a no brainer that my silly comedy band and I would write a song in tribute, and in it I proposed a suitable memorial for our home town:

I think Droitwich should build you a statue flicking V’s in Victoria Square.

I don’t imagine for a moment that my suggestion will ever be more than an unfulfilled wish to see the town of my childhood recognise its most legendary entertainer son in the most splendily perfect way possible, but, come on, wouldn’t it be BRILLIANT?!

You know you have to. Come on, Droitwich, make me proud!

Kris King

I HAVE just read your article on having a memorial to Rik mayall in Droitwich town centre and my whole family and myself think it a wonderful idea!

Rik was such a big part of every one’s upbringing and still is to this day with Drop Dead Fred being one of my 12-year-old’s favourite films!

Also, with the hilarious Young Ones and brilliant New Statesmen that are fabulous!

On doing some research on Rik his alter ego investigator character, the series Kevin Turvey was shot around Droitwich and Redditch as these were the places he knew and loved!

So just like the statue that was put in place for Eric Morcambe some years back, a great number of us think it would be a wonderful thing to have one for Rik as he is a comedy legend!

We all sincerely hope that it does go ahead and maybe on the day of the unveiling his wife and children can be involved along with some colleagues such as Adrian Edmondson!

I’m sure Rik would absolutely think it would be great!

Power to the people!

Jon Cross

WHAT a great idea!

And what a dull, boring and uninspiring response.

Yes, yes, why not erect a permanent statue to Rik Mayall, one of the most original, inspired, hilariously funny and irreverent men I have ever seen.

Yeah, let’s do it, should have been the response, instead we get a typical sad and depressing reply from a council which could not tie its shoe laces without approval from several committees.

I propose a campaign to get this done, hands up if you claim to have a sense of humour, hands up if you can smile when you remember scenes from anything Rik Mayall did. ‘Hands up if you like me’ (Rik in TheYoung Ones).

Come on Droitwich, get behind something good and funny to celebrate the town’s recent past, rather than hundreds of years ago half way around the world! Edward Wimslow.

Another great idea…but ruined. I expected a huge representation of one of the founders of the US of A. No we ended up with a mere bookend of a statue – boring.

Come on The Standard take the pulse of the town on this, a great opportunity to present a national tourist attraction to The People’s Poet…self confessed.

Tell me where to sign the petition and donate.

Paul Mann

I AM a Droitwich resident and I feel there should be something to remember Rik Mayall by.

Also it would help young people with disabilities as well who really liked him and loved his acting like when he was in the film Drop Dead Fred.

Amy Bright

Support worker

Advance Housing and Supporting Ltd

I THINK it would be utter utter utter utter utter brilliant!

A Thompson

A TRIBUTE to Rik Mayall, are you serious?

An appropriate one would be a two-inch plaque on the door of the public conveniences to go with his foul-mouthed sense of humour!

Mike Salton

Droitwich

AS LONG as his family are in agreement with this idea, I think it’d be a wonderful idea.

He deserves to be remembered for bringing smiles and laughs to so many people.

A comedy genius.

Gina Tardrew

Cornwall

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