GALLOWAY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARK
WHICH USED TO BE KNOWN AS: WILDLIFE PARK KIRKCUDBRIGHT
BY MARIE BIRCH
During our 1997: May Holiday. Along with my husband Paul, we paid a visit to Wildlife Park Kirkcudbright, which is at Lochfergus Plantation, just outside Kirkcudbright, near the town of Dumfries, Kirkcudbrightshire, which resides, in the Scottish region of Dumfries and Galloway.
This was a very special kind of Wildlife Park, in
the sense that it was home to a very special kind of cat, and these were no
ordinary cats!
Wildlife Park Kirkcudbright, is now officially known, as: Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park. And, there will be more information, to come, about that, at a later date!
These special kind, of Cats, are a very rare breed, and are, officially known, as:
THE SCOTTISH WILDCAT
These are, it's breeding Characteristics:
WILDCAT FELIS SILVESTRIS
Size - Head and body 23" 59cm Tail - 12"
- 30cm. Habitat - Thick woodlands and rocky mountain sides. Territory
of 150-170 acres marked by urine and secretion from foot glands. Young -
2-4 kittens. May. One litter(may
have second litter in August, which is probably due to a mix of domestic
strain) Nest - A den amongst rocks, or in a hollow tree. Diet - Mostly small
mammals, but also rabbits, birds, fish and insects(may
also kill roe kid or lamb). Voice - "Meeow",
with growl when angry and purr, when pleased. Status - In
We did an individual tour of the Wildlife Park, and we saw the Scottish Wildcat, in his pen, and we also had a guided tour. This time, the male Scottish Wildcat, came out, for us. His name: was Mr Hiss, and never did you see, such a highly prized animal! It has a very similar appearance to your average tabby cat, but its whiskers are far more defined and the tail is a lot longer than your average domesticated, Tabby Cats tail. However, our guide informed us, that they're not like your average domesticated tabby pussy cat in the sense that you can pick them up, cuddle them and play with them and they are virtually impossible to tame and when it is time for inoculation time, it is a knee pad and crash helmet job! He told us that it is a far easier task to domesticate a Lion or a Tiger! Our guide also informed us that he had a friend who tried to domesticate a Scottish Wildcat, but he failed abysmally, and the only thing that was achieved by that action was, that it would enter his kitchen just to get something to eat!
And, there had been, other creatures, at the
Wildlife Park of course. And, the creatures, that had really, stood out, to my
mind, had been, the little Capuchin Monkeys. They had been, really sweet, and
they, had been, very cheeky, indeed! And, one mischievous, little Capuchin
Monkey, who had, been called: Diego, had kept on, insisting, on showing off,
whenever he had got, the opportunity, that is! But then again, Monkeys are like
that, aren't they?! And, the little Capuchin Monkeys, had looked, almost human,
if you didn't look, at them, too closely, that is!
There had been, a male Silver Wolf, who had been, called Boris, and his mate: Brenda, could not understand him! But there, had been, a good reason for that. Boris had been brought up, as a dog, by a family, and even though, Brenda had been, more than, friendly enough, she just, could not, understand, for the life of her, why he would roll, on to his back, like a cuddly little baby, which is more or less, unheard of, in a wolf! And, our Guide, had informed us, that he had even, taken Boris, for a walk, around the Wildlife Park, on a dog lead!
There were Snowy Owls, and the last thing, on the agenda, was the trip, to the Pets Corner. I handled a White Rat, which is, the second Rat, that I have handled, and they, are really, quite tame, if they are domesticated! I have also, played, with a Rat, who was called: Ollie, in a Junk Shop, in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, but he was also an Albino: Half Lemming! Rimmer would be so proud! And, that had happened, before I had even, become, a Fan, of Red Dwarf! And, I have read, all about: Laurie Sage's Pet Rat: Ink (Inquisitor) in: The Official Red Dwarf Fan Club’s: Former: Fanzine: Better Than Life, which she had taken, along, to Doug Naylor’s Book Signing, for The Last Human, and one, of: The Official Red Dwarf Fan Club’s: Dimension Jump Conventions. And, I would have really, have loved, to meet Ink, if that, had been possible, that is! So, Laurie, if you ever come, across this article, please bear, that in mind, if our paths, ever cross, that is!
And last, but not least, I bravely, handled Brian, the Ferret, who licked, some butter, off my fingers! There weren't many adults, who let him do that, I can tell you, but he seemed friendly, enough to me, anyhow!
We have since paid, another visit, to Wildlife Park Kirkcudbright, during 1999. And, I will be searching, for a Web Link, where that is concerned. And, for the time being, their Snail Mail Address, is:
Phil and Pam Woods, Wildlife Park Kirkcudbright, Lochfergus Plantation, Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire,
Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, DG6.4XX. Tel: 01557 - 331645
TELEVISUAL
PUSSY CATS
Firstly, and foremostly,
I am not going to take, the credit, for this bit, because I had been, reading a
back Edition, of: The Official Red Dwarf Fan Club’s: Former: Fanzine: Better
Than Life (which was re-titled, as: Back To Reality, during 2010), and a
gentleman, who went, by the name, of Anthony Maples, from Lymington,
Chesire, mentioned in a letter, via The Official Red
Dwarf Fan Club’s: Former: Fanzine: Better Than Life’s (which was re-titled, as:
Back To Reality, during 2010): Letters Section, that, the Green Moon Cat, that
had appeared, on Children's ITV from 1981 to 1985, in the former:
Children’s ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, which was presented, by the Late Actress: Beryl Reid (up
until, 1984), who had also appeared, as the Home Owner’s Wife, in the 1980: ITV
Thirty Minute: Eric Sykes Comedy Special: Rhubarb Rhubarb
(which was a re-make, of the Radio and Television, and Film Writer, and
Actor and Director: Eric Sykes' 1969 Film: Rhubarb, and the Actor and Musician:
Stephen Boxer, who is also, very well-known, for appearing, on the BBC1:
Daytime Soap Opera: Doctors, as Joe Fenton
(2006-2010. And, the Green Moon Cat, was a Puppet character, on the
former: Children’s ITV Series: Get Up
and Go!,
who as his name, suggests, was a Cat, from the Moon. And, the former:
Children’s ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, had it’s format changed, and it
was, re-titled: Mooncat and Co,
which was produced, by Yorkshire Television. And, this was because, the
Green Moon Cat, on the former: Children’s ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, became so popular, in his own right, that he
just had, to have his very own series! And, the Green Moon Cat, on the former:
Children’s ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, and the former: Children’s ITV Series: Mooncat and Co, was puppeteered,
and voiced, by the Puppeteer and Animator, and Actor and Writer, and Producer
and Director: David Claridge, who went on, to create,
and voice and Puppeteer: Roland Rat. And, the format, of the former: Children’s
ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, regularly included, Beryl Reid and Stephen Boxer,
explaining an everyday subject, to the Green Moon Cat, and looking at a film,
about it, on his Moon Machine, through either the round, square or triangle
screen, which bore a striking resemblance, to the 'Through The Windows' feature,
on BBC TV's: Play School. Then,
there would be a story, about Billie, a little girl, who like, the character:
Christopher Robin, from the Winnie-The-Pooh books,
had Toys, that came to life. These were Woodley a Dog
(presumably real), and a Monkey, and Mrs Pinkerton-Trunks, and an Elephant, and
Mr Milford Haven, a Lion. This was usually, narrated by Beryl Reid, but
occasionally by Stephen Boxer, who accompanied, the story, with dramatic piano
riffs, in the style, of an old black-and-white movie. During, June 1984, the
format, of the former: Children’s ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, changed, and Beryl Reid, was unable, to film,
the next series, having been offered a role, in a major ITV drama. And, the
Series Title, of the former: Children’s ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, was changed, to
Mooncat and Co, and a new format, was
devised. And, the storyline, of the format, of the former: Children’s ITV
Series: Get Up and Go!, which had been changed, to the Series Title, of Mooncat and Co, during June 1984, had
Stephen (Boxer) and the Green Moon Cat, living in a Junk Shop, which Stephen
ran. And, The Moon Machine was abolished, and now, the Green Moon Cat, had got,
regular contact, with the outside world. *For example: trips out, to purchase, the
subject, of the episode, of Mooncat and Co, such as a
telephone or a new carpet. And, the Beryl role, was
filled, by a different guest, in every episode, of Mooncat
and Co. And, therefore, the former: Children’s ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, which had been changed, to the Series Title, of Mooncat and Co, during June 1984, was no
longer, presented by Beryl Reid, and various Presenters, such as: the Poet,
Songwriter and Radio and Television Presenter: Pam Ayres, and the late Carry On
Actress: Patsy Rowlands, and the Inventor and Humourist: Wilf Lunn, and the Singer, and Songwriter, and Entertainer, and
Actor: Kenny Lynch. But probably, the most memorable Presenter, of the former: Children’s ITV Series: Mooncat and Co, was the late Eastenders Actress: Pat Coombs,
whose eponymous character, was a WPC. And, the former: Children’s ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, and the former: Children’s ITV Series: Mooncat and Co, revolved around, the Green Moon Cat,
learning about life, on Earth. Subjects, covered, on the former: Children’s ITV
Series: Get Up and Go!, and the former: Children’s ITV Series: Mooncat and Co, included shapes, movement, being very
careful, and taking turns. And, during 1985, the Actor and Musician: Stephen
Boxer left, the former: Children’s ITV Series:
Mooncat and Co, and he was replaced, with the former:
ITV Talent Show: Opportunity Knocks
Finalist: the Singer and Songwriter: Berni Flint, who
also holds the record, for the longest, continuous run of wins, on the former:
ITV Talent Show: Opportunity Knocks.
And, I vaguely remember, the Green Moon Cat, on the former:
Children’s ITV Series: Get Up and Go!, and the former: Children’s ITV Series: Mooncat and Co, which had also,
got a voice, which had sounded, very similar, to Sparky's Magic Piano, which
is, sometimes played, on BBC Radio Two's: Sound of the Sixties (‘60s), which is
presented, by the Veteran: BBC Radio Two: Presenter: Brian Matthew, on a
Saturday morning. And, the Late: Beryl Reid, was quite
involved, with Childrens Television, in those days!
And, I would briefly like, to pay my respects, to her, especially, as my
husband: Paul, and I, really loved, the way, that she portrayed, the very
irritable, and definitely, the very unwanted: Mother-in-law, in the Film
version, of the Play: No Sex Please, We're British. And, we have, also seen,
the Play: No Sex Please, We're British, at our local Theatre: The Grand
Theatre, Wolverhampton, West Midlands. And, Andrew Sachs, who is best known,
for playing, the Spanish Waiter: Manuel, in Fawlty
Towers, played the part, of the Chief Cashier: Brian Runnicles,
which Ronnie Corbett, played in the Film version, of the Play: No Sex Please,
We're British (The part of the Chief Cashier: Brian Runnicles,
was first played by Michael Crawford, who is best known, for playing Frank
Spencer, in Some Mothers Do ‘ave em,
which ran, from 1973, until 1975), in the London Stage version, of No Sex
Please, We’re British, which originally, began it’s
run, in London’s West End, from 1971, until 1987) during 1973.
And, I really, used to be, into Bagpuss (which has, since made a Comeback, on CBBC
(Children’s BBC), and Top Cat (is the one Televisual
Pussy Cat, in particular, that the Red Dwarf Cat, really does, remind me of,
especially, where Police Officer: Dibble, is concerned!). And, I really love:
Tom and Jerry, the Lying Cartoons, which the Cat, on Red Dwarf, has mentioned,
on Starbug! And, I have briefly seen, some of the
original: 1945 movie: Anchors Aweigh, which featured Tom, the Pussy Cat, as a
Butler. And Jerry, the Mouse, did a famous dance routine, with the late Gene
Kelly. And, I would also, be interested, in seeing, the most recent Tom and
Jerry Promotion: Tom and Jerry: The Movie, which had originally been released,
during 1992. But that said, however, I really do feel, that it would not quite,
be the same, as their earlier efforts, when all is said and done! And, I have
recently discovered, that there are some more: Tom and Jerry films, for me, to
have a look at, one day! And, there will be more information, to come, about that,
at a later date!
And, I really do love Sylvester, the evil black and white cat, and the little yellow Canary bird: Tweety Pie! "I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat! I did, I did!". And, there is also, the Kitten, sitting on the hand, in the Whiskas adverts! And, please do not forget, the Arthur and Sheba Pussy Cat adverts! And, please do not forget, the Cat on Red Dwarf!
I think, that is about it for now, but if I can think, of anymore, of my favourite Televisual Pussy Cats, then I will just add them, to this Website, in the near future!
Thank you
Marie Birch
PAGE LAST UPDATED: 31ST AUGUST 2012
MORE UPDATES COMING SOON!