The author of the Christmas classic The Snowman has sadly died, it has been confirmed this morning.
Raymond Briggs, the revered author and illustrator, sadly passed away aged 88, his publishers Penguin Random House have confirmed this morning.
A statement from his family said: ‘We know that Raymond’s books were loved by and touched millions of people around the world, who will be sad to hear this news. Drawings from fans – especially children’s drawings – inspired by his books were treasured by Raymond and pinned up on the wall of his studio.
‘He lived a rich and full life, and said he felt lucky to have had both his wife Jean, and his partner of over 40 years Liz in his life.
‘He shared his love of nature with Liz on South Downs walks and on family holidays to Scotland and Wales. He also shared his sense of fun and craziness with his family, and with his family of artist friends – at get-togethers, fancy dress parties and summer picnics in the garden.
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He played practical jokes and enjoyed them being played on him. All of us close to him knew his irreverent humour – this could be biting in his work when it came to those in power. He liked the Guardian editorial describing himself as an “iconoclastic national treasure”.’
Francesca Dow, managing director of children’s at Penguin Random House, which served as Briggs’ publisher, said: ‘I am very proud that Puffin has been the home of Raymond’s children’s books for so many years.
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‘Raymond’s books are picture masterpieces that address some of the fundamental questions of what it is to be human, speaking to both adults and children with a remarkable economy of words and illustrations.
‘Raymond is probably best known for The Snowman. He needed greater freedom perhaps than the standard 32-page picture book format allowed and created a radical and beautiful innovation: a wordless picture book for children, a storyboard of stills that became an instant classic in its own right, as well as the much-loved animation.’
She added: ‘Raymond was a brilliantly observant, funny storyteller, honest about how life is rather than how adults might wish to tell it to children. A kindness, integrity and generosity run through all his books.
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‘And so in life: Raymond was a generous, unjealous spirit who was a pleasure to work with, as well as to visit in his Sussex cottage and experience his teasing genius in its home. He was funny! He made us laugh a lot. I will miss him. All of us who had the privilege of working with him will miss him.’
Tributes have been pouring in thick and fast for the author online, with former Children’s Michael Laureate Rosen, who wrote We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, tweeteing: ‘Raymond Briggs… RIP xxxx. You are fantastic…’
Angela Raynor, deputy leader of the Labour party, tweeted: “Raymond Briggs brought so much magic and joy to so many. Rest in peace. And thank you for the memories.”
Children’s author of How To Train Your Dragon Cressida Cowell said: “Deeply sad to hear of the death of Raymond Briggs.”
‘What a magnificent legacy he leaves, from his iconic Father Christmas and the Snowman to the terrifying Where The Wind Blows.
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‘His books brought so much joy and inspired so many, touching, hilarious and heartbreaking work. RIP.’
Feature image – Youtube
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FA issues statement after reports of ‘tragedy chanting’ during Man United’s FA Cup win over Liverpool
Emily Sergeant
The FA has issued a statement following reports of “tragedy chanting” during the Manchester United and Liverpool’s match yesterday.
In what football fans, pundits, and neutrals alike are calling one of the most “thrilling” games to have happened in recent memory, Manchester United clinched a last-minute 4-3 win over fierce local rivals Liverpool in the quarter finals of the FA Cup yesterday afternoon (17 March) – with surprise match-winner Amad Diallo scoring a late goal in the 120th minute.
The Reds’ defender Scott McTominay opened the scoring in the 10th minute, with Liverpool goals then following from Alexis Mac Allister and superstar striker Mo Salah just before half-time.
In the second half, another goal came for United after Antony found the back of the net in the 87th minute to take the match to extra time, and then the next 30-minutes saw Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott and Manchester‘s-own Marcus Rashford get themselves on the score sheet in pretty quick succession to take the tie to 3-3.
With the time on the clock ticking down, and a place in the semi FA Cup semi finals within touching distance for both clubs, Reds’ winger Diallo fired the ball into the bottom right-hand corner to claim not only a win for his team, but also what was only his second goal in a United shirt.
United fans were, understandably, elated with the win over the team that has historically, and arguably continues to be, their biggest rivals.
But sadly, it appears that some fans took this excitement a little too far.
It has been widely-reported on by numerous media outlets that, during the second half of United’s extra time win, a significant number of fans in the Stretford End of Old Trafford were heard chanting ‘murderers’, quickly followed by ‘always the victims’, both in reference to the Hillsborough Disaster – with the singing said to be “audible” to the live television audience.
Other chants of ‘The Sun were right’ were also reported, and this has subsequently led to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) launching an investigation, making an arrest in connection with “tragedy chanting”, and issuing a statement condemning the incident.
The FA has also since released a statement following the reports, and has pledged to support GMP with ongoing investigations in whichever ways they can.
GMP’s statement provided by a spokesperson reads: “Incidents of tragedy chanting will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.
“We are all familiar with fans taunting their opponents at football matches, but this is generally done in good humour and without offence. The incidents today crossed the line of what is acceptable, and we will work closely with both clubs to identify anyone responsible for committing offences during the event.”
The FA’s statement, which was shared to social media yesterday evening, also reads in full: “We are aware of the reported tragedy chanting during today’s FA Cup fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool, and we will be liaising with and supporting Greater Manchester Police.
“We strongly condemn any offensive, abusive and discriminatory chants in football stadiums, and we are determined to stamp this behaviour out.
“It is entirely unacceptable and can have a lasting and damaging impact on people and communities within our game.
Two arrested after man is murdered in broad daylight in ‘quiet’ East Manchester residential area
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was killed in the middle of a “quiet residential area” of East Manchester over the weekend.
The arrested suspects, two males, are currently being questioned by police detectives.
It comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called out to reports of an unresponsive male on Olympic Street, in the Beswick area of East Manchester, shortly before 11am this past Saturday (16 March) – and, despite the best efforts of emergency services and “selfless members of public” at the scene, he was sadly pronounced dead.
A team of specialist detectives have “worked throughout the night” to apprehend those believed to be involved in this murder, GMP has revealed, and with a police investigation having now been opened, “extensive work” is ongoing to understand the circumstances around the distressing incident.
According to GMP, initial enquiries have indicated that the victim was killed whilst he was trying to stop his car from being stolen.
Two people have been arrested after a man was murdered in broad daylight in a ‘quiet’ East Manchester residential area / Credit: GMP
Following the incident, GMP has confirmed that a 35-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a 43-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
They both remain in police custody at this time.
With the two arrests made, and enquiries currently ongoing and “moving at pace”, GMP has issued an appeal to the public for information, witnesses, and footage – with Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, explaining: “At the centre of this investigation is a grieving family, who we will do all we can to get answers for.
“Our investigation is moving at pace, and I have a team of detectives who continue to work relentlessly to capture a picture of what happened in the events leading up to this incident.
#ARREST | Two men arrested in connection with Beswick murder.
Two men, aged 35 & 43, are in custody. They will be questioned by detectives tonight.
“Additional officers remain in the area to offer reassurance to the local community, so if you have any questions, or want to share any information, please speak to them.
“They are there for you and any detail, no matter how small it may seem, could help us.”
Anyone with any details that could assist police with their investigation is asked to report them via the LiveChat function on gmp.police.uk, or by calling 101 quoting incident number 1172 of 16/3/24.