Tributes to cartoonist with 'extraordinary gift'

Phil Woodford created thousands of cartoons, including this selfportrait

Cartoonist Phil Woodford has been hailed for his "extraordinary gift for finding light, laughter and humanity in the everyday news" following his death at the age of 88.

A Manx resident since the late 1960s, Mr Woodford's often humorous takes on everyday events on the island featured in newspapers and several books.

His family said he had died peacefully on 13 November at his home in Port St Mary.

Katie King, who curated an exhibition of his work in 2018, said working with him was an "absolute joy", and his cartoons reminded "us not to take life – or ourselves – too seriously".

Phil Woodford lived in Port St Mary and his cartoons often featured the south of the island

Having trained as a lithographer at the Hull School of Art during the 1950s, he moved to the Isle of Man in 1967, spending several decades capturing everyday events in cartoon form for the amusement of his friends and family.

His work was exposed to a broader audience in the early 2000s, when his quirky takes on the events of the day were regularly featured in the Isle of Man Examiner.

He also went on to illustrate several books released to raise money for charity, including the Manx Radio Lunchtime Limerick collection and the Tynwaldballs series.

His works often poked fun at the news stories of the day

Ms King said Manx National Heritage hosting the Have I Got News for Yessir exhibition at the House of Manannan in Peel to mark his 80th birthday had "tickled him greatly".

She said: "He brought the same kindness, humour and humility to our conversations as he did to his art.

"Phil approached the world with curiosity and good cheer, qualities that shone brightly through every cartoon.

"He had an extraordinary gift for finding light, laughter and humanity in the everyday news of the Isle of Man.

"With a deft line and a wry smile, he gently poked fun at the stories that shaped our community, reminding us not to take life – or ourselves – too seriously."

An exhibition celebrating his work was held in Peel in 2018

Speaking at the time of the exhibition, Mr Woodford said the motivation behind his artwork had "always been to raise a smile from people".

He said his cartoons represented a "simple way of illustrating a point of view", adding: "If it can be done in a humorous and sympathetic way, even better."

"Sometimes a news story just seems plain wrong or ridiculous to me.

"These silly stories are the subject matter I enjoy most. As they say a picture tells a thousand words."

Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson, who is co-compiler of the Tynwaldballs series - a satirical compilation of quotes from the Manx parliament - said Mr Woodford had made a "fantastic contribution in so many ways".

"My personal favorite was his support of Tynwaldballs for which he provided all the cartoons, adding so many laughs," he said.

"Thank you Phil. You were an absolute gentleman."

A celebration of Mr Woodford's life is due to take place in Port St Mary on Friday.