The Fosdyke Saga
Encyclopedia
The Fosdyke Saga was a British
comic strip by cartoonist Bill Tidy
, published in the Daily Mirror newspaper from March 1971 - February 1985. Described as "a classic tale of struggle, power, personalities and tripe", the strip was a parody of John Galsworthy
's classic novel series The Forsyte Saga
, however the slightly bizarre and strange antics of the characters and those around them had a Lancashire
/Cheshire
lean with mangles, chimneys and soot ever present.
The Fosdyke Saga was the story of Roger Ditchley, a wastrel son of tripe
magnate, Old Ben Ditchley, who was deliberately disinherited by his father in favour of Jos Fosdyke. Roger, blinded by rage, seeks to regain his rightful inheritance over the next twelve years. His wicked plans are always thwarted as he enlists the most inept allies and twisted methods to attain his goal.
Each book included bizarre settings such as the rugby game between a Welsh choir and a lady's casual rugby team held in a Salford hotel (the stairs collapsed in the first half if you must know), the hunt for the Tripe Naughtee and the unforgettable "Brain of Salford" competition.
This superb series ended prematurely in 1984 when tycoon Robert Maxwell purchased Mirror Group Newspapers, and the year afterward axed the Fosdyke Saga from the Daily Mirror.
Created by well-known cartoonist Bill Tidy
, who also produced cartoons for the satirical magazine Private Eye
and created The Cloggies
, the wry humour in this classic 1970s comic strip was always excellent, if often unintelligible to those outside of the mid-north-west of England
.
The radio adaptation starred (among others) Miriam Margolyes
, Enn Reitel
, Christian Rodska
and David Threlfall
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
comic strip by cartoonist Bill Tidy
Bill Tidy
William Edward "Bill" Tidy, MBE , is a British cartoonist, writer and television personality, known chiefly for his comic strips. Bill was awarded an MBE in 2000 for "Services to Journalism". He is noted for his charitable work, particularly for the Lord's Taverners, which he has supported for over...
, published in the Daily Mirror newspaper from March 1971 - February 1985. Described as "a classic tale of struggle, power, personalities and tripe", the strip was a parody of John Galsworthy
John Galsworthy
John Galsworthy OM was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include The Forsyte Saga and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter...
's classic novel series The Forsyte Saga
The Forsyte Saga
The Forsyte Saga is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921 by John Galsworthy. They chronicle the vicissitudes of the leading members of an upper-middle-class British family, similar to Galsworthy's own...
, however the slightly bizarre and strange antics of the characters and those around them had a Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
/Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
lean with mangles, chimneys and soot ever present.
The Fosdyke Saga was the story of Roger Ditchley, a wastrel son of tripe
Tripe
Tripe is a type of edible offal from the stomachs of various farm animals.-Beef tripe:...
magnate, Old Ben Ditchley, who was deliberately disinherited by his father in favour of Jos Fosdyke. Roger, blinded by rage, seeks to regain his rightful inheritance over the next twelve years. His wicked plans are always thwarted as he enlists the most inept allies and twisted methods to attain his goal.
Each book included bizarre settings such as the rugby game between a Welsh choir and a lady's casual rugby team held in a Salford hotel (the stairs collapsed in the first half if you must know), the hunt for the Tripe Naughtee and the unforgettable "Brain of Salford" competition.
This superb series ended prematurely in 1984 when tycoon Robert Maxwell purchased Mirror Group Newspapers, and the year afterward axed the Fosdyke Saga from the Daily Mirror.
Created by well-known cartoonist Bill Tidy
Bill Tidy
William Edward "Bill" Tidy, MBE , is a British cartoonist, writer and television personality, known chiefly for his comic strips. Bill was awarded an MBE in 2000 for "Services to Journalism". He is noted for his charitable work, particularly for the Lord's Taverners, which he has supported for over...
, who also produced cartoons for the satirical magazine Private Eye
Private Eye
Private Eye is a fortnightly British satirical and current affairs magazine, edited by Ian Hislop.Since its first publication in 1961, Private Eye has been a prominent critic and lampooner of public figures and entities that it deemed guilty of any of the sins of incompetence, inefficiency,...
and created The Cloggies
The Cloggies
The Cloggies, an Everyday Saga in the Life of Clog Dancing Folk, was a long-running cartoon by Bill Tidy that ran in the satirical magazine Private Eye from 1967 to 1981, and later in The Listener from 1985 to 1986. It gently satirised northern British male culture, and introduced a shocked nation...
, the wry humour in this classic 1970s comic strip was always excellent, if often unintelligible to those outside of the mid-north-west of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Adaptations
The Fosdyke Saga has been adapted as a TV movie, a radio serial by the BBC and a theatrical stage play.The radio adaptation starred (among others) Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes, OBE is an English actress and voice artist. Her earliest roles were in theatre and after several supporting roles in film and television she won a BAFTA Award for her role in The Age of Innocence .-Early life:...
, Enn Reitel
Enn Reitel
Enn Reitel is a Scottish actor and impressionist who specialises in voice work.- Early life :Reitel's family arrived in Scotland as refugees from Estonia, German Empire...
, Christian Rodska
Christian Rodska
Christian Rodska is an English actor who has appeared in many television and radio series and narrated a number of audiobooks...
and David Threlfall
David Threlfall
David Threlfall is an English stage, film and television actor and director best known for playing Frank Gallagher in Channel 4's Manchester-based drama series Shameless. He has also directed several episodes of the show.-Early life:...
.