Erect a Statue of Dancing Ken in Cheltenham

He was one of Cheltenham's favourite characters.

You cannot mistake Dancing Ken Hanks outrageous dwelling along Wellington Street. The façade is a painted, bright mottled effect, with his name emblazoned on the front door. If we are honest, most Cheltonian’s have a place in their hearts for an eccentric.

Any citizen, at sometime in their lives, will have encountered Dancing Ken wandering along Cheltenham High Street. He stood out from the crowd with gaudy Wild West dress, the incongruous Stetson hat with tiny union jack ear rings.

He was an amiable member of the Monster Raving Loony Party, and was a veteran of four general elections. A frustrated prospective Member of Parliament for Cheltenham, Ken made Hopalong Cassidy look positively conservative.

Many passers-by asked – ‘Why, Dancing Ken Hanks’?

Well, for over fifty years, he attended gigs every night spread about Cheltenham and a wider area. All in the name of a good cause. Ken jived, fox trotted and rock’n’rolled many a night away to raise funds. Over the years, ‘old twinkle toes’ as some ladies called him, raised over one million pounds.

Among the beneficiaries of the lifelong Cheltonian's work are Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Bettridge School, the National Star College, the St Vincent's Centre, the Battledown Centre for Children and Families and Cheltenham General Hospital.

Over the years his whacky grooving and crooning helped countless more good causes, including performances at school fetes and community fairs.

So let’s give him a place forever in his beloved Cheltenham, that he gave so much for! Let’s put up a statue of Dancing Ken so he can be remembered for what he did, and that he did it his way!