News / Sport
Time for a WG Grace statue in Bristol?
Calls have been made for a 6ft 2in bronze statue of WG Grace to be erected in Bristol as the city celebrates 100 years since the cricketer’s death.
A short film is due to be aired on Monday night asking whether the man often credited with founding the modern game deserves his own statue.
The film, produced for the BBC by independent filmmaker Ben White, explores the sportsman and doctor’s legacy, comparing his impact to other Bristol greats with their own statutes, such as Cary Grant.
The eight minute film, which goes out on BBC One’s Inside Out West at 7.30pm, also explores options for where the statue might go and how much it would cost.
The fim was made in a tongue-in-cheek style, Ben told Bristol24/7. But he added:“The more we went into the story the more it seemed like it really should happen.
“I grew up playing cricket and knowing who Grace was. But the reality is a lot of people don’t know him and aren’t aware of what he did.
“During the film we spoke to his biographer who said he is perhaps the biggest celebrity to have come out of Bristol, but there still isn’t the recognition.”
Could W.G. Grace soon have a statue in Bristol? Find out in Monday’s programme at 7:30pm on BBC One….
Posted by BBC Inside Out West on Sunday, 18 October 2015
The filmmaker said he has identified the most appropriate spot for the statue which he believes is on the triangle at the top of Whiteladies Road, near the Downs where the first county cricket match was played in 1870.
It is estimated a bronze figure would cost about £75,000.
Grace was born in Downend in 1848 and went onto to captain Gloucestershire and England. BBC Radio Bristol plan to broadcast live from WG Grace Memorial Ground at Downend on Friday, the 100 year anniversary of Grace’s death.
Bristol has numerous other landmarks related to the cricketer, including the Old England pub in Montpelier, where he used to practice in the nets which are still out the back.
The Grace pub on Gloucester Road and the WG Grace Wetherspoon’s on Whiteladies Road are also nods to the towering sportsman. There is also a blue plaque at 15 Victoria Square, Clifton, where Grace lived.
WG Grace returning to a screen near you. Coming soon on @InsideOutWest pic.twitter.com/JQiIvalkSq
— Sabet Choudhury (@Sebchoudhury) October 9, 2015
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
