To mark the success of the cartoon strips that have appeared in the Sunday Post newspaper since 1936, publisher DC Thomson has unveiled a new bronze sculpture of Oor Wullie in Dundee and is hosting The Broons Awards in Glasgow this Thursday.
Oor Wullie, Scotland’s Favourite Son, has been immortalised in Dundee, the city of his “birth”, says DC Thomson. The young scamp, who lives in the fictional town of Auchenshoogle, has been cast in a 4ft-tall bronze sculpture. (Unveiled on Saturday 5th March.) Sitting on the wall outside The McManus Galleries, Oor Wullie is aiming his pea shooter at a nearby statue of Robert Burns. Behind Oor Wullie on the wall are bronze replicas of his trusty satchel containing his pet mouse Jeemy, as well as a catapult and a bag of peas to refill his pea shooter. Beside him is a poem “Tae Rabbie Burns”.
Former Editor Morris Heggie said, “The adventures of Oor Wullie have delighted Scots for eight decades. In that time the mischievous scamp has become a much loved national treasure. We are used to seeing Wullie in the black and white world of print but here he is in 3D – in his own fabulous bronze statue. A magnificent tribute to Dundee’s cheeriest son. Oor Wullie himself would be delighted that the bronze catches him about to embark on his legendary capers.”
A lifesize version of Oor Wullie’s famous upturned bucket sits beside him, allowing fans of the comic character to pose with him. The latest Oor Wullie strip, which has featured in the Sunday Post every week since 1936, shows him turning himself in to a bronze statue to mark the occasion.
The sculpture is the work of Scottish artist Malcolm Robertson and has been funded by private and public sources. Mr Robertson said, “My artwork is all about making inspiring connections with people and places that hopefully will stand the test of time.
"Collaborating with the staff of DC Thomson, Powderhall Foundry, Dundee's Planning Department and the McManus Galleries to create a portrait of Scotland's favourite son has been one of the most enjoyable and fun projects I have ever undertaken since becoming a public artist way back in the 1970's. Creating a public portrait of Oor Wullie has been a privilege and a pleasure, I only hope Wullie likes it, and doesn't aim his pea shooter at me the moment my back's turned!"
On Thursday 10th March, Scotland's favourite traditional family, The Broons will mark the occasion with an awards ceremony in Glasgow. The Broons cartoon strips have appeared every week since 1936 in the Sunday Post newspaper.
The family of ten, who live in a small tenement flat at 10 Glebe Street, Auchentogle, is billed as being ‘the happy family that makes every family happy’ and this week’s event will celebrate families throughout Scotland. DC Thomson says: we’ll reward those who share and demonstrate the same values as the newspaper itself – honesty, decency, integrity, fairness, warmth – and those who go above and beyond to make a difference.
Editor of the Sunday Post and The Weekly News, Richard Prest said, “The whole team at the Sunday Post is delighted that Oor Wullie has been recognised and brought to life. We’re also delighted to be celebrating families throughout Scotland as The Broons mark their 80th anniversary in paper. The fact that these characters have been living in paper since 1936 is an outstanding achievement.”
