The Dudley Watkins Crucifixion Painting Discovered (added 20 March 2008)
I received a press release for this great Easter story today.
There is little point in me reiterating the story here when it is perfectly well presented on the Scottish Christian website - see link below.

Story Links:
Dudley Watkins Crucifixion Painting

Saturday 15 March 2008
An infestation of trojans and viruses killed off my pc. The operating system fell over just before christmas so I have been off air for a few weeks now. I am now back in business and will try to bring the site up to date very soon. Cheers for now, Gavin

Well a fair bit has been going on recently so I will summarise:
Lyndsay Burns Auctioneers in Perth have just sold two sketches of Oor Wullie. The first was an entry made in a guestbook after a family holiday in September 1959. The second is a profile sketch of Wullie. This was drawn in an autograph book while Dudley Watkins was doing a talk in a church in Cowdenbeath in November 1953. The first sold for £1900 (plus fees) and the second for £700 (plus fees).
I have been tipped off that another autograph book will be auctioned off in a Lyons and Turnbull sale on
16 January 2008 so watch out for that. The book is signed by Dudley Watkins along with a sketch of Oor Wullie. The lady who collected the signature has contacted me and I think it comes from the exact same church talk as mentioned above.

Story Links:
Scottish Television (STV) news page - 1953 autograph book
Scottish Television (STV) news page - 1959 guestbook
The Courier news story
The Evening Telegraph news story
Lindsay Burns auctioneers website

In addition to that, as mentioned a bit below, Maw Broons Cookbook was a contender for a prestigious prize in the 'Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2007'. BBC television news reported this morning that Maw's book has won a category so has qualified to go forward for the 'Best in the World' competition to be announced in May 2008. Gourmand themselves won't announce Maw's win until January 2008 so possibly BBC news have jumped the gun a bit here. There is no mention of the story on the BBC sites now.

Following on from the Oor Wullie figurine issued in 2006, DC Thomson have now released a figurine of The Broons - well, Maw, Paw and The Bairn. Again, sculpted by the current Broons artist Peter Davidson and limited to 3300 pieces, the figurine can be ordered direct from the DC Thomson website now.
(thanks Janet)

Story Links:
DC Thomson - 'how to order it' page
DC Thomson online store front page (look in 'Specials')
DC Thomson - link direct to Broons figurine page

It seems that recipes in the recently published 'Maw Broon's Cookbook' have scunnered some po-faced 'health experts' at Glasgow University who have spent their day whining about the unhealthy recipes on offer

Happily no-one is giving them any attention and Maw's cookbook is currently No.2 in the Scottish best seller list beating the likes of Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver.

(update: Maw's cookbook has since reached No.1 in the Scottish best sellers lists and has also been entered into the 'Gourmand World Cookbook Awards' at the request of Edouard Cointreau, the competition president.

Story Links:
BBC news story
STV Scotland Today news story
some pages from the book courtesy of the 'BOOKS fromSCOTLAND.com' website

Oor Wullie: Facsimile Edition of the 1940 Oor Wullie Book (Hardcover) (added 24 Sept. 2006)
Aurum Press Ltd, who produced the Broons 1939 and Dandy Monster Comic 1939 fascsimiles last year, are to publish facsimile copies of the first Oor Wullie book (originally published in 1940). Information is thin on the ground just now but the book is due to be released in October with the ISBN 9781845132156.

Story Links:

Another piece of Dudley Watkins artwork is offered for sale.
This time it's a 1959 Broons book with a dedication from Dudley Watkins that includes, oddly for a Broons book, an ink drawing of Oor Wullie.

The book will be sold at MacGregors Auctions, St. Andrews on Thursday 20 September.

UPDATE (20 Sept.) The book, that was previously bought in a car boot sale for 5p, was sold for £1350.

Story Links:
The Courier news story (thanks Derek)
The Courier - scan of news story
BBC news story

DC THOMSON ARTWORK - GOING GOING GONE ......(added Wednesday 5 September 2007)

A two panel drawing by Dudley Watkins of Oor Wullie and Ma & Pa Broon on the same piece of card sold today at the Lyon & Turnbull auction house in Edinburgh.

Bidding started with the auctioneer at £1,100 and continued up to an amazing bid of £4,400.
With buyers fees of 20% that takes the final price to £5,280.

Story Links:
Lyon & Turnbull online catalogue page (5 Sept. Lot 293)

MAW BROON'S DUMPLINGS..........(added Saturday 1 September 2007)

New publications are due soon. The Broons book 2007, Broons and Oor Wullie compilation - The Golden Years, The Broons Calendar 2008 and an odd one, Maw Broon's Cookbook (50 ways to boil a tattie).(Thanks Alan).

P.S. Buy The Sunday Times this weekend (3 Sept.) for an article on RD Low, The Broons & Oor Wullie.

Story Links:
The Broons book 2008 (get it direct from DC Thomson)
The Broons & Oor Wullie - The Golden Years (get it direct from DC Thomson)
The Broons Calendar 2008 (get it direct from DC Thomson)
Maw Broon's Cookbook (www.scottishbooks.org)
Maw Broon's Cookbook (www.amazon.co.uk - includes synopsis)

BBC Four - Comics Britannia Season (added Wednesday 29 August 2007)
Thought I might add this item. Comics Britannia will be a three part series on the history of British comics scheduled for September on digital tv channel BBC Four.
Not sure if The Broons or Oor Wullie will feature (although they should) but it will definitely feature a fair bit of Dudley Watkins, The Dandy, The Beano and the marvelous Viz.

Story Links:
BBC Four Comics Brittanica web page
BBC Press Release

Alright, I admit it. I wanted to keep this story fairly quiet due to an urge to purchase the wee drawing (above) of Oor Wullie plus Ma & Pa Broon by Dudley Watkins dated 1938. Anyway, I've come clean now so we'll hear no more about it..

On Wednesday 5th September at 11am, Lyon & Turnbull, Edinburgh will be auctioning a very rare collection of original DC Thomson artwork from the 1930's. Included will be a couple of works by Dudley Watkins and the unpublished drawing seen above. I will be there with my credit card so stand well back and keep your hands down.

Story Links:
Lyon & Turnbull online catalogue page (5 Sept. Lot 293)
STV News website story

WARNING: BOGUS 1940 OOR WULLIE BOOK ON EBAY (added Monday 27 August 2007)
Okay I know it is unlikely that anyone with any knowledge will bid on the Oor Wullie 1940 book that is currently on ebay (item ends lunchtime 28 August) but the advert is a con and uses photographs of my book that are freely available on this site. This is very similar to the ebay con that I reported in June (see below).

Seller's other items use stock photos and descriptions that can be easily found using Google.
For example seller is offering a 1613 Holy Bible for £20. The real thing is for sale from Tobo Books for £20,000. See here.

OOR WULLIE SONG ON YOU TUBE (added Friday 6 July 2007)
I found this while trawling youtube for John Smeaton videos.

Story Links:
Oor Wullie song on You Tube: HERE

WHIT? - NAE NEWS? (added Thursday 14 June 2007)
Well. There is very little recent news but as I've not been on the computer much in recent weeks I thought I would make a quick entry. (by the way apologies to any e-mailers I have failed to reply to - as said I have not been online much but will try to catch up later).

There has been a bit of recent activity on the Oor Wullie book front with a very nice looking copy of the first OW book (1940) appearing on ebay at end of May. The book was reportedly found in an attic in Edinburgh, it was a new discovery and had not previously circulated in the collectors market. This makes it the 6th complete OW No1 that I am aware of. It was offered for £6000 and was sold within days.

An ultra rare second OW book (1942) also appeared recently on ebay. Book appeared to be in nice condition. I am told that only three copies of this book exist and as such it sold for a (relative to rarity) bargain price of £2850.

Finally, be wary of a possibly dodgy copy of the first OW book that is currently selling on ebay. Although book is advertised with tiny photograph images it definitely appears to be wearing a copy of the covers from my own OW book. To be fair the seller makes no grand claims for the book but potential buyers should seek more information before buying. UPDATE (16 June): this book just sold for £4300.
UPDATE: It turned oot the seller was indeed bogus and he was evicted from the Big Ebay Hoose shortly after this item ended so hopefully no-one lost ony money.

Story Links:
My book: HERE / Ebay advert: HERE

THE BROONS - ON TV (added Tuesday 1 May 2007)
Here's a quicky for tonight.

For those of you who can receive digital tv / freeview, The Broons will feature in a television news article tonight that looks at Scottish culture in the run up to our wee scottish elections on May 3rd.

Watch ITN/Channel 4's news programme More 4 News tonight (Tuesday 1 May) at 8pm.

Story Links:
More4News website (the news article MAY appear for online viewing)

BIFF! BAM!! CRIKEY!!! Comics go to College! (added 27 April 2007)
No point in me rewriting this article.
Here are the basics lifted directly from the University of Dundee website:-

"Dundee, one of the world’s great homes of comics culture, is to host a major international conference looking at the role that comics have increasingly occupied in popular culture.

`Biff! Bam!! Crikey!!! - Comics as Design & Entertainment’ is being held at the University of Dundee on Friday May 25th and Saturday May 26th as part of the Scotland-wide Six Cities Design Festival.

The conference will celebrate the history of comics in Dundee - home to the D.C. Thomson comic empire - but will also explore wider themes, including the intersection of British and American comics, topical and controversial comics, comics as literature and/or art, defining comics, and comics and other media, notably computer games."

For more information see the links below.

Story Links:
University of Dundee website - full press release
Six Cities Design Festival website - see 'Downloads' for festival guide.
Biff! Bam!! Crikey!!! - conference webpage (includes programme and booking info.)

Oor Wullie In Fine Art Creation - The Inner Wullie (added 16 April 2007)
Artist Stephen Beveridge has created a series of artworks with the Artist represented by the character Oor Wullie in an introspective frame of mind. No, I don't know what it all means but the pieces are very good and definitely worth a look.

Story Links:
New Art by Stephen Beveridge

Oor Wullie supports Glasgow's Commonwealth Games 2014 bid (added 18 March 2007)
"Glasgow has unveiled its secret weapon in the race to land the 2014 Commonwealth Games - Oor Wullie!"

Read the whole story here at the Sunday Post website: The Sunday Post News

Story Links:
Commonwealth Games 2014 : The Glasgow Bid website

Oor Wullie's Air Force jackets for sale ? (added 9 February 2007)
An unusual story appeared today in the Dundee Courier.

Ron Low who, as a boy, was the model for Oor Wullie joined the Royal Canadian Air Force when he grew up. Now two of Ron's original Air Force jackets have appeared in the shop 'Kingdom Antiques' in Cupar, Fife.

The two jackets are now on sale on ebay uk

Story Links:
News story in The Courier
That's Braw RD Low Page with the 'Original Oor Wullie' story
Ebay advert (item ends 16 February)

The Big Issue - Featuring The Broons (added 3 December 2006)
I am sorry I am late with this one. The Broons featured on the cover of The Big Issue dated 23-29 November. Great front cover image (taken from the 1949 Broons book) and a nice article over 3 pages mainly about the 1939 facsimile book with comments from DC Thomson men Dave Donaldson, David Pollington and artist Peter Davidson.

It's too late now to buy one from a vendor but you might try the bins around Buchanan Street Bus Station.

Thanks to my socially conscientious friend Caroline Anderson who buys the paper and saved me a copy.

In his interview, Dave Donaldson confirms (what I had heard elsewhere) that he is now writing The Broons and Oor Wullie scripts after Tom Morton quit earlier this year. So long Tom it's been good to know yuh....

Story Links:
Curr & Dewar website
Bonhams website - Dudley Watkins artwork

Kit Cart Race - pilers, carties, guiders and soapbox racers (added 29 August 2006)
Edinburgh Direct Aid (EDA) is organising a children's soapbox race "The Great Guider Race" on 8 October 2006 in Holyrood Park to raise money for Capability Scotland and its own project, the Christine Witcutt centre for disabled people in Sarajevo. Oor Wullie's image will be used to promote the event and the event sub-title is "Oor Wullie and his Piler".

The race is for children only (8 - 12 year old) and sadly custom machines of amalgamated coach built prams and pallets are not allowed. For safety reasons all carts will be equal and assembled from kits - a 'kit cart' if you like.

Anyone interested should first apply for a kit; available from Edinburgh Direct Aid (link below).

Story Links:
News story in The Scotsman
Edinburgh Evening News Article Scan
Edinburgh Direct Aid (EDA) - order your kit cart

The Broons: Facsimile Edition of the First Ever Broons Book (Hardcover) (added 1 August 2006)
Oor Wullie: Facsimile Edition of the First Ever Oor Wullie Book (Hardcover)
Roving Reporter Paul has just sent me this scoop:
Aurum Press Ltd are to publish facsimile copies of the first Broons book (originally published in 1939) and the first Oor Wullie book (originally published in 1940).

DC Thomson had already hinted that they may reproduce copies of the early books to kill off the sale of pirate facsimile copies that are becoming increasingly common and easy to buy. It seems they have now sold a license to Aurum Press Ltd and, according to Amazon, both books are scheduled for release on 25 November 2006. Amazon states The Broons book will have 96 pages. As the original book should have 128 pages this is either an error in the book details or some pages have been excised.

post-script: Since making the above entry I have heard that the Oor Wullie book will not be published by Aurum Press Ltd in November but may be published by another publisher sometime in the future. Aurum Press Ltd will however be publishing a facsimile of the 1939 Dandy Monster Comic instead. It has also been confirmed that 1939 The Broons book will contain the full 128 pages.
(Thanks to Ray Moore for this update)

Story Links:
Amazon UK : The Broons 1939
Amazon UK : Oor Willie 1940
Amazon UK : Dandy Monster Comic 1939
Aurum Press Ltd (nothing about the book on their site yet)

DC Thomson are now taking orders for this years books and calendar.

Story Links:
DC Thomson online store: (type 2007 into 'Search Products' box on this page)

Oor Wullie is no the Scot he used to be - discuss...........(added 26 July 2006)
I have been following the discussion on The Scotsman website were the result of a recent study finds that the language of Oor Wullie has been toned down over the years to become more Anglicised.

A lot people are gettin' fash'd and kicking up a stooshie tae. The page and comments are interesting reading. I don't expect the page to be on line for long so in the words of Janis Joplin, "get it while you can".
(you may have to sign up to the Scotsman news service but it is free and easy to do - an alternative is to go the google news page and search for 'wullie' and google will find the page for you).

.Story Links:
Jings, crivvens! Is Oor Wullie turning into Our William? : The Scotsman article 24 July 2006
Scottish Television (STV) version of same story - includes video of broadcast news story

Official DC Thomson Limited Edition Oor Wullie Figurine : (added July 2006)
As announced in the Sunday 2 July 2006 edition of the Sunday Post, DC Thomson have now launched a limited edition Oor Wullie figurine ornament to celebrate Wullie's 70th anniversary.

The figurine statues are available to buy direct from DC Thomson for £35 ....but.... they are only available to purchase using a coupon from the aforementioned Sunday Post newspaper. If, like me, you missed the coupon you are scunnered.

The first person to receive one of the figurines was the great Scottish actor and Dundonian Brian Cox.
Brian was presented with the statue during his 60th birthday party at Birkhill Castle in Fife.

The figurine is 23cm tall. There were 2300 figurines made in the first edition batch but a second edition is being made to meet demand. They were designed and sculpted by Peter Davidson the artist who draws the Oor Wullie cartoon strips each week in the Sunday Post.

I didn't get one so the photo above was nicked from ebay (bids starting at £65).

Oor Wullie sketch in an autograph book is sold in Dundee (added 20 June 2006)
Earlier today Dundee auctioneers Curr & Dewar sold an autograph book containing a sketch of Oor Wullie. Signed by Dudley D Watkins and dated 15 September 1959.
With a guide price of £80-120, the book sold to a local collector for £950.
Click on image above to see more.

Story Links:
BBC Scotland News Page (includes an audio news report plus a small photograph of sketch)
Curr & Dewar website

Site Updates (added 12 May 2006)
I have made major updates to the Dudley Watkins Pages including adding images of extremely rare and unique items, I have added links to new pages on RD Low (DC Thomsons' managing editor who pretty much created The Broons and Oor Wullie) and Ron Low (the inspiration for the Oor Wullie character).

I have revised and updated the Additional Artwork pages (linked on the Dudley Watkins Page) and I have made other updates to The Broons and the Oor Wullie Pages.

A new CD from Tom Morton : A Complete and Utter History of Rock'n'Roll (added 2 May 2006)
Our friend Tom Morton has just released a new CD of original tunes - including his tribute to this site (well Oor Wullie really) called 'That's Braw'. There is also a bonus track that just might be his song of appreciation for Daphne Broon??

The Cd, 'A Complete and Utter History of Rock'n'Roll' also includes the blasphemous 'Learning to Hate the Beatles' and is available direct from Tom through his ebay shop for £9.19 including postage.

Story Links:
Buy Tom Morton's new CD: A Complete and Utter History of Rock'n'Roll : here

Who is the real Oor Wullie?
Who are the real Maw and Paw Broon? (added 28 March 2006)
I have known that Ron Low was the real life inspiration for the Oor Wullie character since his daughter wrote to tell me so four years ago. More recently, additional information was revealed on the Compal Comics website and the subject was broached in the recent 'Happy Birthday Oor Wullie!' tv documentary.

Now friends of Ron Low (the real Oor Wullie and son of The Broons and Oor Wullie creator R.D. Low) have come forward to reveal the full story. And more than that, they reveal the true characters who were portrayed as Maw and Paw Broon. The best article appeared in The Sunday Times with shorter articles appearing in The Daily Record.

Story Links:
The Sunday Times article by Marc Horne
The Daily Record article by Bob Dow (version one)
The Daily Record article by Bob Dow (version two)

Story Links:
Scotland’s Oldest Wee Boy (mp3 file)
Kenny's website