On March 11, 2023, at the age of 89, British cartoonist, author, and television personality William Edward Tidy passed away. His comic novels, which frequently exaggerated representations of his working-class roots in Northern England, are what made him most famous.
In addition to his achievements in journalism, Tidy was awarded the MBE in 2000 for his philanthropic activities, particularly his 30-year support of the Lord’s Taverners.
Tidy was raised in Liverpool after being born in Tranmere, a neighborhood of Birkenhead, Cheshire. Up until the age of 15, he attended St Margaret’s Church of England Academy in Anfield, which was once known as St Margaret’s Technical Commercial School.
Bill Tidy Cloggies: Which cartoonist drew the Cloggies?
Bill Tidy’s well-known animated series The Cloggies ran from 1967 to 1981 in Private Eye magazine and again from 1985 to 1986 in The Listener. It playfully portrayed the clog-dancing passion and daily life of male residents of northern England.
The cartoon introduced this ancient sport, which involves two teams dancing in formation toward one another before making deft knee and foot movements in an effort to immobilize their rivals.
The Forward Sir Percy, the Double Arkwright with Ankle Lever, the Heckmondwycke with Reverse Spin, and the contentious Triple Arkwright were a few of the well-known routines.
The Half Arkwright with Groin Action, the Sexy Elbow Drive, and the match-winning Flying Arkwright were among the other routines in the comic that were done to the cheers of the audience, “Keep them knees fashionable!”
Overall, The Cloggies offered a humorous perspective on northern England tradition and their special love of clog-dancing.