Penwortham grandad gets first tattoo aged 76

A grandad has had his first tattoo after eternally inking his son's rock band onto his right arm.
BEING BRAVE: Mel Cartwright goes under the needle to get a tattoo of his sons bandBEING BRAVE: Mel Cartwright goes under the needle to get a tattoo of his sons band
BEING BRAVE: Mel Cartwright goes under the needle to get a tattoo of his sons band

Mel Cartwright, a 76-year-old from Penwortham, now has Preston band Evil Blizzard’s baby head and cross bones logo after his first ever tattoo session.

His wife of 57 years, Joyce, passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2014 and Mel himself had a stroke last year and he says he now feels “the time was right” for his first tattoo. His son Jeff, inked from head to toe, also had the tattoo done and said it was nice to see his dad enjoying himself again.

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Proud grandad of two Mel, who now works as a volunteer with Alzheimer’s sufferers, explains how the tattoo has been long coming – but admits his wife would say he was having a “later life crisis”.

BEING BRAVE: Mel Cartwright goes under the needle to get a tattoo of his sons bandBEING BRAVE: Mel Cartwright goes under the needle to get a tattoo of his sons band
BEING BRAVE: Mel Cartwright goes under the needle to get a tattoo of his sons band

He said: “I’ve always been a fan of music and I’m a big fan of Jeff’s band. I’ve been to quite a few gigs and always wanted a tattoo but was never sure what to get. It just seemed to suit me.”

The punk rock band have been together four years and each member has their own distinctive fancy dress costume.

Jeff, 45, is mop man and says he’s glad his dad has joined the fan club.

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“We have some very loyal fans,” Jeff said. “The band has become quite popular, in high demand for lots of gigs and dad has always been a big fan.

PUNK ROCKERS: Preston band Evil Blizzard, featuring Mel Cartwrights son JeffPUNK ROCKERS: Preston band Evil Blizzard, featuring Mel Cartwrights son Jeff
PUNK ROCKERS: Preston band Evil Blizzard, featuring Mel Cartwrights son Jeff

“He’s had a new lease life recently and it’s great to see.”

Mel visited Studio 81 on Friargate for the session and says pain has never been an issue for him.

He said: “The tattoo is about the size of the palm of my hand but I wasn’t too fussed about it as when I’ve set my mind on something, I’ll definitely do it.”

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