Home Cartoonist Tributes after the death of cartoonist Yorkatt and Eric Richard Stansfield

Tributes after the death of cartoonist Yorkatt and Eric Richard Stansfield

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FORMER York Press cartoonist Richard Stansfield – who drew the hugely popular cartoon Yorkatt and Eric – has died aged 72.

Mr Stansfield died suddenly at his home in Welburn following a heart attack on April 28.

He left no children of his own. But his brother Paul said he was adored by his sister-in-law Jackie and niece Courtney.

“Jackie always said he was the sweetest and very compassionate, and Courtney will always be remembered for his eccentricity and love,” Paul said. “I will miss him dearly. He wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend.”

News reporter Maxine Gordon added: “Waiting for Richard’s Yorkatt cartoon to arrive was always the highlight of the day.

“Cartoons have invariably brought a smile – and even belly laughs. Richard didn’t hold back, and sometimes we had to run the cartoon through our editor to get approval.

“Yorkatt was a much-loved part of The Press – and is a valuable part of our local history.”

Richard drew his caricatures under the pseudonym of Wolf. He started with a daily political cartoon, before concentrating on his weekly strip Yorkatt and Eric.

It was deceptively simple – two chatting cats, often perched on the roof of a house in York. And, like the Wolf cartoon, it also routinely poked fun at politicians.

In a tape ahead of the 2015 general election, the two cats discussed how Labor and the Tories kept trying to outdo each other with promises on NHS spending. “I didn’t realize the NHS was on Flog It,” says Yorkatt.

In 2015, Richard took aim at the York Museums Trust for introducing charges to the York Art Gallery. “Well, Eric, people will always have a choice,” Yorkatt says. “Eat at Bettys or go see the Ettys.”

Richard even took on the Church of England. Yorkatt and Eric were discussing why the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, had not been granted the post of Archbishop of Canterbury. “The Church of England thinks he’s being too outspoken,” says Eric. “Wasn’t there a man from Nazareth who also upset the establishment? asks Yorkatt.

York Press: Richard Stansfield when he was a photographer at the Castle Museum

Dr. Sentamu was so happy that Richard had the cartoon framed and presented to him.

Richard Stansfield was born in York in 1950. He went to St Peters School and then got a job with HL Browns in Sheffield as a jeweler’s assistant.

From Sheffield he moved to London, where he became a silver appraiser, first at Mappin & Webb and then Garrards, appraising silver for clients including the Royal Family.

After a few years, he returned to York, became a photographer at the York Castle Museum and began his press cartoons.

Richard’s character was warm and caring, and he was a loyal friend, Paul said – even if he wouldn’t suffer fools.

“But he had a wonderful sense of humor. I think that came through in his cartoons.”

He certainly did…

Richard Stansfield, December 12, 1950 – April 28, 2022.

Richard’s funeral will take place at St John the Evangelist Church in Welburn at midday on Tuesday June 7. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Royal British Legion.