Mural of mayor who fed stray cats is unveiled

A mural celebrating an early proponent of animal rights has been unveiled.

Gloucester mayor Ralph Fletcher, who lived between 1780 and 1851, is depicted feeding stray cats, having left money in his will to feed them.

Fletcher is known for writing one of the first texts arguing against animal cruelty. The mural, by an artist known as Murmur, can be seen on the corner of Wellington Street and Arthur Street in Gloucester.

"Nobody I have spoken to has heard of Ralph – and I think it's important to celebrate this forgotten and kind man," Murmur said.

Fletcher's 1846 text A Few Notes on Cruelty to Animals included a proposal for the creation of animal hospitals, and arguments to strengthen penalties for animal abusers.

He was also known to hand out shillings to coachmen whose horses were well taken care of.

"The animals of Gloucester owe a big thank you to Ralph," Murmur said. "Some of them may even be descendants of the animals he supported."

As part of her research, Murmur found papers showing that Fletcher also worked as a doctor at Gloucester Infirmary.

She said it wasn't easy to decide how to depict him.

"There are no photos or drawings of Ralph that I could find," Murmur said.

"I did lots of research into what he might have worn – I like to think he would have rejected the idea of wearing any furs anyway as an animal lover.

"Several people have said my image of him is giving Peaky Blinders energy, which makes me laugh. Maybe he was a bit of a bad ass as well as being kind."

Murmur's work was supported by the charity Voices Gloucester and Gloucestershire Heritage Hub.

The artist is now creating a second mural to honour Fletcher, a short walk away at The Cross in the city centre.

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