Treem of Grimbledon Down

[excoriator]

Came across some ancient 'New Scientists' the other day. They contained the Bill Tidy cartoon strip 'Grimbledon Down' the story of a research establishment presided over by the hapless Director Treem (Posh suit, striped trousers). I wonder how many people remember them now.

In one he is trying to cheer up a despondent scientist (white coat) working on their 'Nufood' program - synthetic foods to feed the world. Over a canteen lunch the scientist bemoans the fact that only dog food manufacturers have tried it. Treem points out that it is still saving meat for humans. As they leave he compliments the canteen lady behind the counter "Delicious curry, that Mrs Sellers"

From her head emanates a thought bubble "Amazing what you can do with a tin of Doggo"

Long gone now but as a lifelong reader, they were the first thing I turned to when I got my copy.

[Nathan deGargoyle]

Hey Exco! I didn't realise this place was still going. And I well remember Grimbledon Down in NS. Tidy was a great,weird, cartoonist.

[excoriator]

Yes still going, just. Unlike Grimbledon down sadly.

Good to hear from you again. All well with you I trust?

[aubrey]

I liked Bill Tidy's clog dancers. It's just occurred to me that the writers of Billy the Fish might have been fans.

[excoriator]

Hey Aubrey!

I saw a bit of a news item about someone publicising the Manchester 'musical' heritage on local TV. There's a famous road there with all sorts of clubs along it I think. The name escapes me.

What caught my attention was a gable end with an enormous portrait of Mark E. Smith that I recognised from pics you've sent me. Hideous it was! Every spot the size of dinner plate. Presumably the Fall deployed their art there. Just thought you'd like to know its there terrifying innocent toddlers.

[excoriator]

One of the 'scientific' projects going on at Grimbledon Down was one to reduce the world population by making the most disgusting pornographic movies. Tidy abandoned it pretty early due to complaints from the sisterhood.

The ladies in it were tough, buxom, 'deep chested' ladies all wearing fishnet tights and carrying ferocious handbags. I often wondered whether Mrs Thatcher's mythical 'handbag' with which she bullied everyone to get her way had been lifted from Grimbledon Down.

[aubrey]

Jan 30, 2022 18:24:12 GMT excoriator said:

Hey Aubrey!

I saw a bit of a news item about someone publicising the Manchester 'musical' heritage on local TV. There's a famous road there with all sorts of clubs along it I think. The name escapes me.

What caught my attention was a gable end with an enormous portrait of Mark E. Smith that I recognised from pics you've sent me. Hideous it was! Every spot the size of dinner plate. Presumably the Fall deployed their art there. Just thought you'd like to know its there terrifying innocent toddlers.

Hey, thanks.

It wasn't the one on the side of a chip shop, was it? With all cigarette smoke billowing about him?

[excoriator]

I only got a glimpse of this huge gurning face on a gable end. It may well have been a chip shop. The face covered the whole wall two or three stories high. I was able to recognise it immediately thanks to your education in the publicity material of The Fall.

Around here, shops in our local high street have recently taken to getting the whole front elevations painted over with something related to their businesses. Here's one I particularly dislike on the front of our excellent butchers


It had been a nice Georgian frontage. Next it had this sodding great cow all over it. Something I found hard to forgive.

It's a good picture, the artist, one Paul Curtis, is very skilled but really with windows and god knows what else breaking up the surface it doesn't work well. I like it less than Mark E. Smiths if I'm honest, but perhaps that's because I see the cow and Mr Smiths is safely in Manchester.

Here's one on the pub I have been known to visit: