Popular Feline Awarded Honorary Town Freedom in Ramsey

A cat, known for frequenting shops along a high street and greeting patrons, has been bestowed an honorary designation as a mark of appreciation. Thomas, recognized as the Ramsey Town Cat, was officially named a “free feline” of the locality and presented with a ceremonial chain during a gathering held at the Town Hall. Sandra Cottam-Shea, a member of the local authority, commented that while the title was “symbolic,” it served to acknowledge the town’s residents who care for the cat. The five-year-old feline, boasting a Facebook following exceeding 1,000 individuals, spends its nights sleeping in a yoga studio situated on Parliament Street within the town. This well-known animal even has a range of merchandise dedicated to him available at one of the local establishments, with proceeds intended to cover any future veterinary expenses. Cottam-Shea expressed her hope that bestowing Thomas with the freedom of Ramsey would also help to raise awareness for charitable initiatives organized by small businesses in Ramsey. Suzanne Young, the owner of the yoga studio where Thomas sleeps and the originator of the proposal for this honor, stated that the cat’s celebrity status in the town indicates further plans are being considered. “We want him switching on the Christmas lights next year, and there’s talk of painting a big mural of him on one of the buildings,” she said. Russell Perkins, who regularly welcomes Thomas into his shop on Parliament Street, described him as a true “character.” He noted that Thomas has been a regular visitor to his high street shop for several years and has his own designated sleeping box. “Everybody when they talk about him, it brings a big smile to their face,” he added. Ramsey resident Wendy Dawson purchased some of the specially printed Thomas calendars for relatives in the UK, hoping they would be encouraged “to get over to the Isle of Man.” She said: “I think he’s wonderful… he’s just so lovely.” Irene Quayle, who manages a charity shop in the town—another location where Thomas is frequently seen—remarked, “He’s here all the time, he has his own bed and sleeps wherever he wants,” she said. “He’s been coming in here a couple of years now, he’s part of the family, part of the furniture.” Reporting contributions were also provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. For updates, follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X, or submit story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.