Imagine strolling along a serene canal, only to be greeted by a towering gorilla statue perched atop a tree stump—it’s not your everyday sight, is it? But that’s exactly what happened in Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, where the Kennet and Avon Canal has become home to an unexpected new resident. Walkers and boaters alike have been both baffled and delighted by the appearance of this larger-than-life gorilla, named Gerald, who now stands guard beside Bruce Mason’s boat mooring.
The story behind Gerald is as charming as the statue itself. Bruce’s friends gifted him the gorilla as a 60th birthday present, and the name Gerald was chosen during a charity event held at the Three Tuns pub in Great Bedwyn. But here’s where it gets heartwarming: the event raised £220 for the Bruce Trust, an organization that provides canal boat experiences for people with disabilities. It’s a perfect blend of whimsy and generosity, proving that even a gorilla statue can make a difference.
Bruce admits the idea for the statue was somewhat spontaneous. ‘I just thought a gorilla at the top of the stump would look great,’ he said. The stump itself was all that remained of an ash tree that had to be cut down due to ash dieback—a loss the community felt deeply. ‘We didn’t want to leave it bare,’ Bruce explained. ‘It felt like a missed opportunity.’
And this is the part most people miss: Gerald’s name pays homage to a classic scene from Not the Nine O’Clock News, starring Rowan Atkinson. It’s a nod to British humor that adds an extra layer of charm to the statue’s story. Bruce loves how Gerald seems to ‘keep guard’ over the canal, his expression shifting with the light of the day. ‘Everybody who walks past is laughing and smiling,’ he noted. ‘It’s not something you’d expect to see in the middle of Great Bedwyn.’
But Gerald’s future isn’t entirely secure. Bruce isn’t sure if the Canal Trust will allow the statue to remain by the waterway. Is Gerald a welcome addition to the canal’s landscape, or does he overstep the boundaries of public space? We’ve reached out to the Canal Trust for comment, but the question remains: should art and whimsy be allowed to flourish in unexpected places, or do rules always take precedence?
What do you think? Should Gerald stay or go? Let us know in the comments below. And while you’re at it, follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram for more stories like this. Got a story idea? Send it our way via email or WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Gerald’s story is just one of many waiting to be told—and who knows where the next unexpected treasure might appear?
