ERIC MORECAMBE MEMORIALThe Eric Morecambe Memorial on Morecambe Promenade commemorates the comedian’s achievements. Born John Eric Bartholomew in 1926, he took his stage surname from his home town. His career spanned nearly five decades on stage, music hall, film, radio and notably on television. With Ernie Wise, the other half of the stage duo, he was awarded the OBE. He died in 1984.

This bronze memorial was unveiled by HM The Queen in 1999. The statue itself was designed by Graham Ibbeson and shows Eric in his bird-watching clothes. There is a hide in his name at the nearby RSPB bird reserve at Leighton Moss. Around the statute, like stage and audience, are engravings with catchphrases from their shows and the names of the many stars of theatre and television with whom they worked; and an endearing flock of chubby seagulls.

Text and photographs – Gordon Clark. Published by Lancaster Civic Society (© 2014) www.lancastercivicsociety.org www.citycoastcountryside.co.uk