Croft and Perry to unveil Dad's Army statue

Adam Gretton

THE writers of a timeless television sitcom will return to the original Walmington-on-Sea on June 19 to unveil a Dad's Army statue.

Jimmy Perry and David Croft will join the celebrations in Thetford to mark the creation of a life-sized bronze statue of Captain Mainwaring.

A week of festivities will take place for the launch of the new landmark on Saturday June 19 to celebrate the town's connections with the famous television series.

Bill Pertwee, who played Warden Hodges and is patron of the Dad's Army Museum in Thetford, will also attend for the statue unveiling.

The project was the brainchild of museum chairman and Dad's Army fan Stuart Wright, who first launched the appeal when the museum opened in December 2007.

Mr Wright will also star as the verger in a specially adapted stage show by director Ian Gower, Dad's Army Comes Home, which is being performed in the Thetford Carnegie Room from Tuesday June 16 until Friday June 18.

The unveiling of the statue at noon on Saturday June 19 will take place between the Bell and Anchor Hotels, where the Dad's Army cast stayed during filming.

The stars of the show will be joined by original Dad's Army vehicles, the RAF Honington Band, the Barmy Army Film Club, 1940's dancers, Norfolk Military Vehicle Group, and re-enactors.

Mr Wright said: “The sculptor, Sean Hedges-Quinn, has perfectly captured the essence of Mainwaring. He looks suitably disapproving at the thought of anyone sitting beside him - the very idea!”

Sculptor and Dad's Army fan, Mr Hedges-Quinn, added: “I believe this is the best statue to date and I am very pleased with it.”

Thetford was the filming location for Dad's Army for nine years from 1968. A dedicated museum at the Guildhall in Thetford was opened by David Croft in December 2007.

Tickets for the Thetford stage show are available from 01842 751975. For more information, visit www.dadsarmythetford.org.uk.