Mailman Mac joins judges to find best young cartoonist in UK

BUDDING young cartoonists who think they’re quick on the draw will have to impress Mail veteran Mac if they want to be the best in Britain.

Mac, the pen name of Stanley McMurtry MBE, is one of a prestigious panel of judges for the annual Young Cartoonist of the Year competition.

The award, run by the British Cartoonists’ Association, gives aspiring cartoonists the chance to have their artwork judged by the best in the business.

The panel has cartoonists from nearly all UK national newspapers, and includes The Guardian’s Steve Bell, Private Eye’s Nick Newman, The Daily Telegraph’s Matt, oliver Preston, chairman of The Cartoon Museum, and Martin Rowson, chairman of the British Cartoonists’ Association, who draws for The Guardian.

He said: ‘Every year I make the same joke... it’s a crowded profession, and the last thing we need are a bunch of pushy youngsters stealing our jobs – so this way we can identify the talented ones early and break their tiny little fingers!

‘Now in its 22nd year, we continue to get

‘The capacity to make the judges laugh’

thousands of entries, and while there are only ever two winners, a lot of former winners and, indeed, runners-up are now professional cartoonists – and one of them has even won an Emmy.

‘What all the winners had in common was simply the capacity to make the judges – all grumpy old cartoonists from across Fleet Street – laugh.’

Entries can be on any topic, from a joke cartoon to a political cartoon. The winners will be announced at The Cartoon Art Trust Awards on Thursday, october 10.

There are two categories, the under-18 and under-30.

Entrants must supply an original cartoon, in colour or black and white, drawn freehand up to A4 in size.

Entries must be submitted by Sunday, September 24, to The Young Cartoonist of the Year Competition, The Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street, London, WC1A 2HH.

The judges’ decision is final and organisers cannot return artwork.

Further details about the competition can be found at cartoonmuseum.org under the ‘get involved’ menu tab.