Grandad’s trophy has prestigious links

Because the trophy awarded to George Willacy at the start of the 20th century was manufactured by the same highly respected company — Fattorini and Sons.
His grandson, also named George, said: “I took it to a jeweller in Carlisle, Mr Harris and Son, who were in the crescent in the city.
“I was getting it repaired and done up, and it was Mr Harris who said to me, ‘Do you realise who made this?’
“‘They’re one of the most prestigious trophy makers, and they only make one-offs.'”
George’s discovery has just been newly highlighted in a national magazine.
An article tells how his grandfather competed in regattas in the Solway Estuary and the Clyde coast, and was never once beaten in competition.
Explaining the origins of the trophy, George said: “Richard Lupton from Annan won the trophy in Wigtown Bay the first year.
“My grandfather then won the trophy the next three years in his boat The Ruth, in 1901, 1902 and 1903.
“The trophy was presented by William Sands and Annie Boyes — ‘in commemoration of many happy hours spent in Wigtown Bay’.”
He added: “If you won it three times on the trot you got to keep it.”
And George said: “The workmanship on it is superb — it’s a little boat on the top, with silver sails.
“Anybody that comes into the house remarks on it.”
The trophy has since featured in an exhibition by Fattorini and Sons in Bradford.
George notes that BBC TV series The Antiques Roadshow has previously featured trophies by Fattorini and Sons, and that a representative of the company appeared in an episode broadcast this past weekend.
Looking at his grandfather’s trophy, he said: “I don’t think it’s a high value thing, but it’s a very personal thing.”