Introduction by - Billy Connolly

I remember dearly, as a child in Glasgow, avidly turning to the 'funny' section of the Sunday newspaper every week, virtually devouring the offerings there and talking myself into believing that they were funny, when clearly they were anything but, in the belief that to criticise them was a great deal less than patriotic - and that wouldn't do at all!

From the age of twelve to fourteen I was a newspaper delivery boy. During this time l took to reading the Daily Express in the little shed which we used as our headquarters. It was then that I discovered two things that would enrich my life for years to come, Giles and Beachcomber.

Beachcomber was abstract in the very best of British comic writing tradition, while Giles was topical, satirical and in the strangest and most endearing way, part of us all. He created a loveable classless family to whom everything topical was a source of great fun, led from the back by my hero, the brolly-wielding Grandma. In a perfect world everyone would have a granny like her, but until that utopia arrives I am afraid you will have to make do with this collection of Giles cartoons. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

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