Bill drew crowds on his visit to school
DO YOU remember the amazing cartoons of Bill Tidy? The prolific artist, writer and television personality, known chiefly for his comic strips which appeared in numerous publications such as the Daily Sketch, Daily Mirror and Private Eye over many years, was appointed MBE in 2000 for “Services to Journalism”.
He lived in Southport for many years (he now lives in Derbyshire), and is noted for his charitable work, particularly for the Lord’s Taverners, which he has supported for over 30 years.
Deeply proud of his working class roots in the North of England, his most abiding cartoon strips, such as the Cloggies and the Fosdyke Saga, were set in an exaggerated version of that environment.
Here he is pictured sharing his artistic skills with pupils at Meols Cop High School in Southport on June 23, 1983.
Are you pictured, or do you remember any of his many other appearances in Southport?
In another school photo, pupils at Linaker Infants in Southport say a fond farewell to a much loved member of staff on July 21, 1983.
Do you remember going out for a takeaway in Southport in the 1980s? Where did you go, and how has takeaway food changed since then?
Here we have pictures from the Pony Express Takeaway, which served hamburger and chicken, from April, 1981.
You could enjoy a Pony Rider (1/4lb prime beefburger with relish, lettuce and onions) for just 65p; crispy friend chips or baked potato for the bargain price of 18p; or two pieces of Southern style fried chicken for 79p.
Lots of youngsters enjoyed making new friends and trying out fun activities with various youth organisations in the 1980s.
Here we feature: a Boys Brigade parade in Southport in the 1980s; Scouts taking part in a sponsored canoe event on the Marine Lake in Southport on October 31, 1982; and Queens Scouts Venture Scouts in Southport on November 25, 1983.
Today we also feature students enjoying a disco competition at KGV College in Southport on November 24, 1983. Are you one of the people pictured?
Another pictures shows The London Hotel darts team celebrating their tournament victory outside Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Blackpool in June 1983.
Cliff Johnson said: “My three brothers are on there – Rae Johnson, William Johnson and Steven (Ozzy) Johnson – all three played darts.
“Also on there are Phil Dickinson, Mally Ball, Wally Hartley, Derek Rotherham, Mick Howard, Harry Dobson, Les Abram and Peter Morgan holding the trophy!
“It may have been a darts and dominoes competition around the 1980s.
“I would assume this was an Inter Pub Tournament and Blackpool pubs were often used for finals in all Greenall Whitley pubs. Bowling, darts and pool tournaments were all held in Blackpool.”
Finally, staff are pictured with the tasty food on offer at the Foghorn Bar at The Scarisbrick Hotel in Southport on October 9, 1981.