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Cat statue to honor social media feline hero
24 Apr
Summary
- A bronze statue may honor a beloved ginger cat named Nala.
- Nala was a familiar sight greeting commuters at Stevenage station.
- A fundraising campaign is underway to create the memorial artwork.
A bronze sculpture is being considered to memorialize Nala, a ginger cat cherished by the Stevenage community. Nala was a familiar and beloved presence at Stevenage railway station, where she would greet commuters from her perch on a ticket barrier. Her owner, Natasha Ambler, described her as a "member of the family" after her passing last December.
The proposed 5.5ft (1.7m) statue, to be placed on a pedestal on the station's eastern side, aims to capture Nala's unique charm. Artist Ben Twiston-Davies expressed his enthusiasm for the project, having met Nala previously and aiming to create an "uplifting piece of public art." Nala's popularity extended to social media, with a dedicated Facebook page attracting 25,000 followers and even a Christmas single released in 2023.
Tara Hood initiated a fundraising campaign for the memorial, deeming the proposed station location "perfect." Geoff Caine from Stevenage Borough Council confirmed that while a statue inside the station wasn't feasible, a nearby council-owned site was agreed upon due to high footfall. Caine anticipates the application will be approved within the next six weeks.
