Bring me Sunshine!

The prospect of a statue in Morley to celebrate the life of local comedian Ernie Wise is a step closer following a conversation between Cllr Judith Elliott and Ernie Wises widow, Doreen. The conversation follows work undertaken by the Morley Murals Committee who have been campaigning for the statue project for several months.

Cllr Elliott said "I am delighted that we have been offered a substantial financial contribution from Ernies wife Doreen Wiseman towards the project. We have already discussed the carving of a statue with local sculptor Melanie Wilkes and she has produced some drawings for consideration by Doreen before any decision is made on how the statue should look."

 Ernie Wise spent much of his childhood in East Ardsley and was know to have performed at the Pavilion Theatre on High Street in Morley.

Cllr Elliott said "The Murals Committee has been working hard on this project and committee member Paul Cockroft has spent a great deal of time supporting the Committees work. We will now be exploring Morley Town Centre for the best spot for the statue to be placed and resolving any planning matters as quickly as we can."

 2009 will mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Ernie Wise and the Committee are hoping to have the project completed to commemorate this landmark.