Gerald was a friendly Bengal cat who sadly passed away in September 2020. He was one of two cats who lived and roamed around York Minster and the Minster Precinct. He was popular with visitors and locals, and had become widely known.
Following his death, this life size sculpture was carved. The sculpture is crafted from Yorkshire stone and was made by sculptor Anthony Bartyla, founder of The Raven And The Hare Stone Carving in York. It was unveiled the day before I photographed it, by TV’s Yorkshire Vet Julian Norton, with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress also in attendance. It is located beside a bench in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York, one of the favourite places for the original Gerald to have a rest.
The sculpture has been added to the York Cat Trail, a whole series of cat sculptures, mainly around the city centre, and which I have been intending to follow for a long time, but which still awaits my attention.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
I was pleased to get a shot of this sculpture so soon after its installation. I fear that its easily accessible and quiet location might make it a target for vandalism. I hope that I am wrong. As for the rest of the cat trail, I've been going to do it for quite a while. Perhaps 2022 will be the year?
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
I was pleased to get a shot of this sculpture so soon after its installation. I fear that its easily accessible and quiet location might make it a target for vandalism. I hope that I am wrong. As for the rest of the cat trail, I've been going to do it for quite a while. Perhaps 2022 will be the year?
Ian
I agree, he is a lovely little sculpture!
Ian
Thank you Denise - this is a wonderful addition to the York cat trail, and it encourages people to visit the lovely church where it is displayed.
Ian