IT’S the spring of 2023 and Janet and I are on one of our regular London breaks.

We’ve visited here so often we could almost write a Yorkshire Rose travel brochure.

London can be one of the easiest and cheapest places in the world for public transport, entertainment and dining.

By flashing your bank card, for instance, you can travel on the Underground as often as you like and wherever you like, for £6 a day.

On our second morning we visit Brian Glover’s grave in Brompton to lay flowers.

In the afternoon we travel to the Charles Dickens’ Museum, and in the early evening, after a right royal banquet in Chinatown, we make our way to the Sondheim Theatre in the West End.

There, we purchase cheap last-minute tickets to watch a fabulous version of Les Miserables.

Afterwards, we stroll around a heaving Leicester Square, passing the Odeon and Empire cinemas that are used for film premieres. In the centre of the Square are a number of bronze statues of characters from famous films – Mary Poppins, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean, Harry Potter, and others.

“Oh, isn’t this just magical?” says Janet, dreamily.

“It could be much better,” I reply, teasing.

“Better?”

“Yeah, Billy Casper and his Kestrel ought to be on display here.”

Janet smiles: “I thought you were serious for a minute.”

Now fast forward to Graham Ibbeson’s studio, just before Christmas last year.

Graham suddenly has an epiphany: “Ey up, Ronster, have you ever considered getting a copy of the Kes sculpture in Leicester Square?”

“Gi’ o’er, Graham.

“Londoners aren’t interested in anything north of Watford Gap. Anyway, they think we’re all hillbillies in Barnsley.”

But Mr Ibbeson has a persuasive charm that gets me thinking.

And by late January this year, we begin to seriously explore the whole concept of Kes in Leicester Square. I’ve gathered the written support of council leader Sir Steve Houghton; actor, Dai Bradley; documentary maker, Richard Hines; Mayor, David Leech; Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman; Dan Jarvis MP and Marie Tidball MP. Their letters are added to a detailed proposal that we present to the Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA).

The response from London is more embracing than we expected.

They give us their blessing and suggest linking our proposals to Barnsley’s bid for the ‘UK Town of Culture’ status for 2028.

Efforts to succeed with both projects, we are told by HOLBA’s Clare Morris, could be mutually inclusive. Moreover, Clare and her colleague, Zara Farooq, offer shrewd advice on financing.

The usual costs for displaying a bronze film character are eye-watering. Movie companies normally pay for the statue, plus £7k a day in council fees!

However, because we are a voluntary non profit-making group and because our statue more than qualifies for its position at the heart of British cinema, things are different.

The normal £7k per day council fees are waived and we, in the Kes Group, are certain that with great effort, we can raise the money for a replica sculpture (value £70k).

Sadly, though, raising another £35k for other costs would be way beyond us.

Therefore, together with HOLBA, we’re exploring ways of reaching our £35k target. HOLBA is going to approach the British Film Institute and BAFTA and we’re going to do our bit in Barnsley.

So, if you know of any wealthy individuals, trade unions or businesses that wish to donate in exchange for a miniature bronze or life-size fibre-glass sculpture, please get in touch.

HOLBA is keen to make the unveiling ceremony in Leicester Square a memorable event with national media attention, so we’re already considering transport down to the capital for the day.

I’ve been dreaming all week of walking the red carpet and listening to Dai Bradley and perhaps, Christopher Eccleston, addressing a tumultuous Barnsley audience. And in my dream Dai shouts: “Three cheers for Barry Hines and Kes!”

To cope with the extra work we’ve recruited two guys who’ve proved their value to our cause in the past: the Barnsley photographer, Paul Hilton, and Royston and LA’s finest – Phil Crowe.

As the Leicester Square event promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, this northern hillbilly might just decide to have his annual bath – wearing his flat cap, of course. That’ll show ‘em!