The town of Stevenage will install a 5.5 ft (1.7 m) bronze statue to commemorate Nala, the station cat who greeted commuters. The sculpture, approved by the borough council, will stand on the walkway between the Arts and Leisure Centre and the railway station and will sit on a pedestal styled like a ticket barrier. Artist Ben Twiston-Davies is donating his services and the memorial will be funded by crowdfunding. Nala's owner, Natasha Ambler, built a popular Facebook following and donated proceeds from a charity Christmas single.
Stevenage to Erect 5.5ft Bronze Statue Honouring Beloved Station Cat Nala
Nala would often greet commuters near the ticket gate at Stevenage's railway station [The Adventures of Nala]
A bronze memorial statue commemorating Nala, the beloved station cat who greeted commuters at Stevenage railway station, will be installed on the walkway linking the town's Arts and Leisure Centre with the station.
Local Support and Approval
The 5.5 ft (1.7 m) sculpture follows hundreds of messages of support sent to Stevenage Borough Council from across the UK and overseas. Plans were approved by the council's planning committee on Tuesday.
Design, Funding and Creation
Planning officer Ailsa Davis said the statue will sit on a pedestal "designed to resemble a station ticket barrier," reflecting how Nala used to perch while greeting passengers. The artwork will be created by sculptor Ben Twiston-Davies, who has donated his time and skills to the project. Funding will be raised through a crowdfunding campaign.
Community Impact
MP Kevin Bonavia said: "As people arrive in Stevenage for years to come, Nala will continue to welcome them in her own special way and remind us of the unique community spirit that makes our town such a special place."
About Nala and Her Owner
Nala became an online sensation after regularly sitting on a ticket barrier and greeting commuters at Stevenage station. She died in December. Her owner, Natasha Ambler, launched the Facebook page The Adventures of Nala in October 2023; it quickly grew to around 25,000 followers. In 2023 Ambler also released a Christmas single, with proceeds donated to the RSPCA and the homelessness charity Feed Up Warm Up. After Nala's death, Ambler said she had "lost a member of the family."
This memorial aims to celebrate Nala's role in the community and offer a lasting tribute to a cat who became a familiar and comforting presence for commuters and locals alike.
Help us improve.
