Feztival atmosphere as Tommy Cooper returns to Caerphilly for defibrillator announcement

Tommy Cooper returned to Caerphilly today, June 11, as plans were announced to install defibrillators at Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall and Blackwood Miners’ Institute.

Members of the Tommy Cooper Society were joined by the cast of The Tommy Cooper Show to announce the plans, in front of the statue of the man himself at the Twyn in Caerphilly Town.

Blackwood Miners’ Institute is hosting the show tonight and tomorrow, June 12, and Daniel Taylor, who plays Tommy, and Gareth Jones, playing his manager, visited the comedians’ home town to pay tribute to his genius.

The Tommy Cooper Society are raising money for defibrillators in honour of the comedian who died after suffering a heart attack on stage.

Tudor Jones, chairman of the society, said: “Last year we launched Tommy’s Ticker Campaign, that what we are raising fund for now.

“When Tommy died, if there was a defibrillator in the theatre it would have saved his life.

“We donated a defibrillator to the Visit Caerphilly Centre and now we are going to donate two this year, one to Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall and one to Blackwood Miners’ Institute.”

Two portraits of Tommy Cooper were donated to the society by artist Lindsey Bex to help raise money for the defibrillators that cost around £1,000 each.

Gareth Jones said he hoped to use the Tommy Cooper Show to help raise money and awareness of the campaign.

Mr Jones said the play  “is a celebration of Tommy’s life” and was moved to be in his home town in front of his statue.

He said: “I feel like I’ve got to come back here alone and take it all in.”

“Something I’ve always wanted to do is play Tommy Cooper, I’m not just an actor I’m a fan.

“He was the most impersonated man when I was growing up in the 1980s.”

Speaking about Tommy’s Ticker Campaign, Mr Jones said: “It’s a brilliant idea. I was quite surprised theatres don’t have basic things like defibrillators.

“Whether that would have saved Tommy Cooper I don’t know but it’s something that should be everywhere.”

For more information about the Tommy Cooper Show and for tickets call 01495 227206 or visit the Blackwood Miners’ Institute website.