Sculpture

Spike's statue - Goons

Erection date: 4/9/2014

This little group shows Secombe, Milligan and Sellers, holding "Goons" scripts so it probably commemorates the Last Goon show, in 1972. Distributed elsewhere on the bench are the heads of Bentine, Milligan, Secombe and Sellers.

Site: Spike Milligan statue (4 memorials)

N3, East End Road, 17, Stephens House

Spike lived in Finchley and often visited Stephens' House - then called Avenue House. Together with the extensive grounds it had been left to the local council by Henry Charles 'Inky' Stephens.

Spike's bench is in the garden, very close to the cafe. Spike and this young fan had quite a long conversation.

The bench is seething with little people and references to Spike's life. A number of faces are modelled on the drawings that Spike made of the Goon characters: we spotted Bloodnock, Bluebottle and Neddie Seagoon. The three soldiers probably refer to the origins of Goon humour in the army days of Spike and Secombe; Sellers was in the RAF. We've treated the 3 Goons with scripts as a separate memorial (mainly so we can show you another photo). The elephants, if they refer to India, Spike's place of birth, should have smaller ears. We think the fairies must refer to the Elfin Tree, now in Kensington Gardens which was saved, restored and listed following a campaign led by Spike.

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Spike's statue - Goons

Subjects commemorated i

The Goon Show

Radio comedy show, originally broadcast as 'Crazy People' The first scripts w...

Read More

Michael Bentine

Comedian. Born as Michael James Bentin in Watford, Hertfordshire. He was a co...

Read More

Spike Milligan

Goon. Born as Terence Alan Milligan near Bombay, India, his father being an I...

Read More

Harry Secombe

Actor, comedian and singer. Born Harry Donald Secombe in St Thomas, Swansea w...

Read More

Peter Sellers

Goon and comic actor. Born Portsmouth to a couple of variety entertainers. Th...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Spike's statue - Goons

Created by i

Finchley Society

Formed to protect, preserve and improve buildings, transport, roads and open ...

Read More

John Somerville

Sculptor based in Barnet.

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Spike's statue - Goons

Also at this site i

Jean Scott

Jean Scott

In memory of Jean Scott (1921 - 93) founder of The Finchley Society.

Read More

Octavia Hill - Finchley

Octavia Hill - Finchley

Hill's family were living in Brownswell Cottages in 1851. These were on Finc...

Read More

Spike Milligan statue

Spike Milligan statue

{On the back of the bench:} Spike Milligan, 1918 - 2002 {On Spike's left thi...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Patricia Penn

Patricia Penn

WC1, Queen Square

Sam was stolen in August 2007. May 2009 - a new Sam is unveiled, secured with steel rods in the bricks.

2 subjects commemorated
Sealing of the Magna Carta - Egham

Sealing of the Magna Carta - Egham

TW20, High Street, Egham

Is there a verb "to sculpture"? The tableau panels, the "achievements of the local enthusiasts", are on the road-facing side of this mon...

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Wimpey

Wimpey

EC3, Aldgate High Street

OK, a bit Henry Moore-lite but we like this piece although the setting rather lets it down.  But we love the Christmas-decorated pub in t...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Wellington Arch - Quadriga

Wellington Arch - Quadriga

SW1, Hyde Park Corner

While still Prince of Wales, Edward VII saw a plaster version of this sculpture and initiated the idea of a bronze version being erected ...

3 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
The Vintners

The Vintners

EC4, Little Trinity Lane

Believed to be the first public sculpture in London commissioned by a Livery Company. We would have expected the inscriptions (WDR and W...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators