Kes: Six-foot statue of Billy Casper from Kes unveiled facing author's home in Yorkshire

The 6ft 6ins high, free-standing steel artwork of the boy and his bird was unveiled by children from Kirk Balk High School on Monday (May 20).

The statue, of Billy Casper holding Kes, has been constructed on the pocket park at the junction of Hoyland Road and Stead Lane, close to where scenes of Billy training Kes on Hoyland Common were shot.

It faces the former home of Barry Hines, author of A Kestrel for Knave upon which the film was based.

The steel sculpture was designed by Barnsley artist Patrick Murphy and prototyped using the laser cutter and other equipment at the MakerLab in the DMC in Barnsley town centre.

Councillor Robin Franklin, the council’s spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “The poignant story of Kes and Billy Casper is known the world over thanks to the wonderful writing of Barry Hines. We were pleased to unveil the sculpture of the two friends in Barnsley town centre in 2022, but it is only fitting that they are also formally remembered close to where Barry lived.

“This is a fantastic new addition to Hoyland Common, and I hope people will be inspired and proud when they see it.”

The new sculpture at Hoyland Common was funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) with Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) money aimed at supporting cultural and creative industries across the region.

Kirk Balk High School has been gifted the original maquette – a smaller version of the sculpture – and invited to put it on display.