Holmfirth Web and Summer Wine Online proudly supporting  Bill Owen Statue Memorial Trust  Donations should be made payable to “Bill Owen Statue Memorial Trust” and posted to The Secretary, Holme Valley Business Association, 2 Hey Top, Cote Lane, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire HD9 2RP or alternatively money can be paid into Bank Account No. 11225154 sort code 402424 -  “Bill Owen Statue Memorial Trust”.  Many thanks for your support.

Statue Fund Raising - More Details & Poster Download 
Why a Statue?  - Your Frequently Asked Questions 

NEW! Click here to download Co editor Pat Carline's superb, detailed report and photos of Saturday's big event. It is a PDF document so you will need Acrobat Reader to view it. Click here to download your free version of the Reader. 

Never Mind the Rain - Here's Tom!

The rain stopped and there was a big patch of blue in the sky as Tom Owen and friends descended on the paved square outside Sid's Cafe, in the heart of Holmfirth, to re-launch the exciting fund raising campaign to build a statue of his father, Bill, in Holmfirth. 

Tom was joined by Summer Wine website editors Patrick Brooke and Pat Carline, and her daughter Michelle, plus American fan Helen Jones (pictured left with Tom) who had travelled over from Maryland to visit fabulous Summer Wine country. 

While another young fan Alex Bray played the theme tune to "Last of the Summer Wine" on his cornet, the little square outside Sid's Cafe was a hive of activity. The prolonged showers from earlier in the day all but forgotten.

Colourful posters created by Area5 (the people behind the Summer Wine website) were on display, along with special collection boxes for the statue appeal decorated with pictures from the posters. 

There was a chink of coins going in the boxes as members of the public took the opportunity to come and see Tom and chat about the appeal. Tom was also happy to have his photograph taken with fans, which resulted in more coins pouring in the boxes. 

A number of fans had also travelled over specially after seeing details on the website, including the Walker family from Chesterfield, South Yorkshire. Ernest said: "It is a lovely chance to see Tom and find out about the show and the appeal. We love the programme and thought it would be a good opportunity to organise another day out in Holmfirth." 

Several people also asked questions about the website and were delighted to hear about the strong American interest in their "hometown" show - hence the presence of Helen, from the USA.  Helen, who has visited Holmfirth before, said: "It's like a dream come true, not only to be here in Holmfirth again, where my favourite show is filmed, but to be with Tom Owen and helping with the fund raising."  Helen is hoping to have chance to see the filming of Last of the Summer Wine during her week in Holmfirth.

The Press turned up and took several photographs of Tom, and friends, along with members of the public, using the famous Sid's Cafe as an impressive backdrop. 

Tom said: "Its been a really enjoyable afternoon, shame about the rain earlier on but it did not dampen the enthusiasm.  There are a number of key fund raising plans in the pipeline for 2004, but we thought this would be an important opportunity to chat to local people and fans, and answer questions about the Statue appeal.  Everyone who came along was very supportive." 

Can YOU help: Please make a contribution to help build a statue of Compo in Holmfirth. This website provides its content and services FREE to all our fans all over the world. But, in return, we would appreciate a donation.

Remember - every little helps. 

STOP PRESS: Final amount raised at the collection was £53! Well done to everyone for helping and donating.