Articles in Featuring Felines are written by Patrick Roberts Copyright © 2003-08 Purr 'n' Fur UK Certain features on these pages use JavaScript

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Church Cats 2

Tiddles of Fairford

(and a successor)

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Tiddles was for 17 years the tabby cat at the lovely church of St Mary the Virgin, in the Gloucestershire village of Fairford — from 1963 until her death in 1980. Having befriended the verger and his wife, she stayed on and became a firm favourite, attending services regularly and sitting on the knees of willing members of the congregation. A local stonemason, Peter Juggins, felt that when she died she deserved a memorial at least as much as some of the people who already had one ('more, in some cases', said a commentator!) — and so he carved the likeness that stands outside the church porch.

When I visited Fairford in the summer of 2006 to photograph Tiddles' stone — now rather overgrown with lichen — there was someone at the church who remembered Tiddles, more than a quarter of a century on, so she must have made an impression. And I found that she has a successor! There was another tabby female seen wandering around the village a couple of years ago, apparently homeless; she adopted the church and now is looked after by the volunteers. My photo shows her comfortably curled up on one of the pews. I asked her name, but it seems she is simply called 'the church cat'. She's not allowed to remain inside at night, but has a large and comfortable 'house' in the spacious church porch, where she is also fed; and in addition there is a basket by the church door, strategically positioned to catch the afternoon sun!

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Our featured feline at the head of the page is Socks, pictured in 2003 surveying his 'estate' in the early morning sunshine. Affectionately known as Soxy, he blossomed from a thin and hungry stray into a substantial and handsome cat who loved life and company, and his gentle ways endeared him to many friends. He is now no longer with us, but you can read more from his human companion here.

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