John Field, an expert on the life and work of Daily and Sunday Express cartoonist, the late Carl Giles, will give a talk about him as a guest of The Ipswich Society this coming Wednesday, 15th February 2023.
John, a fan of Giles, who lived in Ipswich, has edited several of the annual collections of cartoons, along with other titles including Giles’s London, Giles’s Fighting Forces and The History of the World According to Giles.
A fan of the cartoonist’s work since he was a schoolboy, he has researched the work of the local cartoonist, and in particular his cartoons in the Daily/Sunday Express newspapers, which often featured “The Giles Family”, including the infamous “Grandma”.
Many of the cartoons were drawn using backgrounds based on typical Ipswich buildings and streets, the town also home to the famous Giles statue, and John has put together an interesting collection of images which he will share with members and guests at the event at the Museum Street Methodist Church.
A 1300-strong organisation established in 1960 to ensure the well-being of the town, its past and its future, The Ipswich Society talks are free and open to all. John’s event will take place at 7.30pm at the Museum Street Methodist Church, the entrance in Black Horse Lane, which is equipped with comfortable seating and modern audio and visual facilities. (However, please note, the event is not being recorded).
Free tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the talks with a chance for members and guests to socialise.
• “Giles in Ipswich” – a talk by John Field 7.30pm Wednesday 15th February 2023 Museum Street Methodist Church, Black Horse Lane, Ipswich | Free and open to all | Web: ipswichsociety.org.uk | Facebook
Web Links
The works featured are based on the sights of London, showing Giles rich and astute humour through his drawing. This book has been carefully researched by John Field, and many cartoons are taken from private drawings that have never been published publicly
• British Cartoon Archive: Carl Giles
A great introduction to Giles with a detailed biography and links to examples of his work that reflect his personal life
• Carl Giles: Independent Obituary
With thanks to Reuben Willmott for the heads up
John Freeman
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek Magazine) and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare”. He’s the writer of "Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies" for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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