Easy to be drawn to cartoon festival
From a political cartoonist who has seen out Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron to a refugee who draws on her life experiences, Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival promises to have something to attract even the most discerning of spectators.
Preparations are underway for the festival's finale which takes place in the Square next weekend.
But organisers have been busy in the run up organising workshops, talks and exhibitions.
At the Bear Steps Gallery there is a show of work of cartoonists from around the country and the exhibition has been universally well received.
Last Saturday (20), festival chair Bill McCabe held a craft workshop in Shrewsbury Market Hall where children could try their hand at making masks.
He said: "Everything is shaping up really well for the culmination of the festival.
"We have had some great responses from people who have been along to Bear Steps to see the work on show. Not only have we had worked submitted from cartoonists here in the UK but we had a great response from some on the other side of the world in Australia.
"Their work is on show in Theatre Severn. Next Friday, Steve Bell, who has been a cartoonist with The Guardian for 30 years and who has seen many politicians come and go including Thatcher, Cameron, Heseltine and Major, will be giving a talk at The Guildhall. He will be presenting anecdotes of his time at the paper and all he has seen and chronicled in the world of politics.
"We also have an internationally renowned musician and cartoonist coming along who will be talking about her family's experiences as refugees. That is being held at The Central, Claremont Street.
"On Saturday we will take over the Square. The Animal Man will be there as well as some musicians and also a number of professional cartoonists who will be doing a number of different cartoons on different scales.
"We are gaining a nice momentum in the run up to Saturday. There is certainly a lot of things going on around town that people can come along and have a look at."
This year, the festival is raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
For more information and to book tickets online search Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival.
