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The commuter cats who became fur-mous | The commuter cats who became fur-mous |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A cat called Benton has won carriage-loads of fans, thanks to his propensity for hanging around tram stops. But Benton is just one of a long line of cats who have rubbed shoulders with commuters, some prompting bestselling books and coming within a whisker of a film deal. BBC News meets the cats who don't have a ticket to ride (but they don't care). | A cat called Benton has won carriage-loads of fans, thanks to his propensity for hanging around tram stops. But Benton is just one of a long line of cats who have rubbed shoulders with commuters, some prompting bestselling books and coming within a whisker of a film deal. BBC News meets the cats who don't have a ticket to ride (but they don't care). |
A social media thread a few weeks ago about a cat called Benton - who likes hanging out at the Inham Road tram stop in Beeston, Nottinghamshire - sparked a huge response. | A social media thread a few weeks ago about a cat called Benton - who likes hanging out at the Inham Road tram stop in Beeston, Nottinghamshire - sparked a huge response. |
His owner Ginny Hicks, who lives near the stop, wrote: "I'm increasingly aware that many of you have met (and I hope are fond of) my black and white kitty. | His owner Ginny Hicks, who lives near the stop, wrote: "I'm increasingly aware that many of you have met (and I hope are fond of) my black and white kitty. |
"He's greeted his public there since the tram line was built. | "He's greeted his public there since the tram line was built. |
"I do hope he brings a little of affection to you when you see him." | "I do hope he brings a little of affection to you when you see him." |
Miss Hicks says she rescued Benton when he was about four months old after she spotted him walking in the path of a bus. | Miss Hicks says she rescued Benton when he was about four months old after she spotted him walking in the path of a bus. |
"He would have died if I hadn't seen him on the road that day," she said. "Now he brings love and affection to as many people as he can." | "He would have died if I hadn't seen him on the road that day," she said. "Now he brings love and affection to as many people as he can." |
In one of Benton's most recent exploits, Miss Hicks says he "cadged a ride" home from the tram stop with a boy in a wheelchair. | In one of Benton's most recent exploits, Miss Hicks says he "cadged a ride" home from the tram stop with a boy in a wheelchair. |
"His mum got in touch to say it made her son's day," she said. | "His mum got in touch to say it made her son's day," she said. |
Miss Hicks says she is not concerned about Benton's safety around the trams. | Miss Hicks says she is not concerned about Benton's safety around the trams. |
"He's well aware when one is coming as you can hear the tracks humming when a tram is still a couple of hundred yards away," she said. | "He's well aware when one is coming as you can hear the tracks humming when a tram is still a couple of hundred yards away," she said. |
"I'm actually more concerned about him getting on one and me getting a phone call to collect him from the other side of Nottingham." | "I'm actually more concerned about him getting on one and me getting a phone call to collect him from the other side of Nottingham." |
But Benton is far from the first feline to paw his way into the hearts of England's commuters. Here are just a few tales about the cats who love public trans-pawt - and the followings they have inspired. | But Benton is far from the first feline to paw his way into the hearts of England's commuters. Here are just a few tales about the cats who love public trans-pawt - and the followings they have inspired. |
Casper, the puss in bus | Casper, the puss in bus |
All eyes were on Plymouth a decade ago when a bus-loving cat named Casper rose to prominence. | All eyes were on Plymouth a decade ago when a bus-loving cat named Casper rose to prominence. |
The black-and-white feline would trot on board the number three bus when it stopped outside his house each morning and then ride a full loop of the route before the driver carefully made sure he was dropped off back where he started. | The black-and-white feline would trot on board the number three bus when it stopped outside his house each morning and then ride a full loop of the route before the driver carefully made sure he was dropped off back where he started. |
His antics prompted national media coverage, an avalanche of letters to owner Susan Finden - who died in 2017 - and even his own book. | His antics prompted national media coverage, an avalanche of letters to owner Susan Finden - who died in 2017 - and even his own book. |
Susan's daughter, Kim Holland, said: "Mum wrote the book and it had a massive response. It was one of the first of its kind - I know there are lots now but this was one of the early ones. | Susan's daughter, Kim Holland, said: "Mum wrote the book and it had a massive response. It was one of the first of its kind - I know there are lots now but this was one of the early ones. |
"From that people wrote to my mum for years. Some would address the letters to 'Casper's mum, Plymouth' and the postman would deliver them all." | "From that people wrote to my mum for years. Some would address the letters to 'Casper's mum, Plymouth' and the postman would deliver them all." |
The family was even contacted by a producer who wanted to make a film, with Dawn French mooted to play the part of Susan. | The family was even contacted by a producer who wanted to make a film, with Dawn French mooted to play the part of Susan. |
"He was super keen and kept in touch with mum for a long time and often discussed the film," said Ms Holland. "He didn't manage to get the funding so it sadly didn't get off the ground." | "He was super keen and kept in touch with mum for a long time and often discussed the film," said Ms Holland. "He didn't manage to get the funding so it sadly didn't get off the ground." |
Sadly Casper's travelling adventures came to an abrupt end in 2010 when he was hit by a car and killed. | Sadly Casper's travelling adventures came to an abrupt end in 2010 when he was hit by a car and killed. |
"Poor old Casper got hit by a taxi outside mum's house," Ms Holland added. "She got so many letters from bus drivers and the local community, all giving their condolences. | "Poor old Casper got hit by a taxi outside mum's house," Ms Holland added. "She got so many letters from bus drivers and the local community, all giving their condolences. |
"He was quite a character really. He touched all sort of people's hearts." | "He was quite a character really. He touched all sort of people's hearts." |
Full steam ahead, Felix | Full steam ahead, Felix |
Next time you visit Huddersfield railway station, keep a beady eye out for two furry workers named Felix and Bolt. | Next time you visit Huddersfield railway station, keep a beady eye out for two furry workers named Felix and Bolt. |
Sneakily brought in by station staff nine years ago while the manager was on leave, Felix has become a favourite with commuters and even has her own name badge. | |
Last year she was given an "apprentice" - her younger brother Bolt - to further delight cat-loving passengers. | |
As with Casper, Felix's popularity prompted a best-selling book and a follow-up about Bolt's arrival has just been released. | As with Casper, Felix's popularity prompted a best-selling book and a follow-up about Bolt's arrival has just been released. |
Station manager Andy Croughan said: "Felix's rapid rise in popularity took us all by surprise - it just came from a couple of photos posted on Facebook. | Station manager Andy Croughan said: "Felix's rapid rise in popularity took us all by surprise - it just came from a couple of photos posted on Facebook. |
"That's when the whirlwind started. The national news came down and then the book deals came about so we could tell the whole story. | "That's when the whirlwind started. The national news came down and then the book deals came about so we could tell the whole story. |
"We'd had highs and lows as a group of people at the station - good times, but also the passing away of colleagues - and the first book told the whole story really well. | "We'd had highs and lows as a group of people at the station - good times, but also the passing away of colleagues - and the first book told the whole story really well. |
"Felix and Bolt may just be cats, but they've contributed a huge amount to charity. With the two books and calendars, we could be looking at more than £200,000 in total." | "Felix and Bolt may just be cats, but they've contributed a huge amount to charity. With the two books and calendars, we could be looking at more than £200,000 in total." |
Batman aka tram cat | Batman aka tram cat |
"He's a bit of a tart." | "He's a bit of a tart." |
So speaks the owner of Batman, a cat that helps to brighten the morning for commuters waiting at Chorlton tram stop in Manchester. | So speaks the owner of Batman, a cat that helps to brighten the morning for commuters waiting at Chorlton tram stop in Manchester. |
For more than two years the young rescue cat - named after his facial markings - has regularly trotted out of his front door, just down the road from the stop, to lap up strokes and adoration from strangers. | For more than two years the young rescue cat - named after his facial markings - has regularly trotted out of his front door, just down the road from the stop, to lap up strokes and adoration from strangers. |
"It's got to the point where he knows when the rush hours are," explained owner Nicci Cuff. | "It's got to the point where he knows when the rush hours are," explained owner Nicci Cuff. |
Ms Cuff set up a Facebook page in her cat's honour and soon began to realise many people considered Batman a lucky charm. | Ms Cuff set up a Facebook page in her cat's honour and soon began to realise many people considered Batman a lucky charm. |
She said: "One person was going through a very hard time in their life and they said Batman saved their year. | She said: "One person was going through a very hard time in their life and they said Batman saved their year. |
"Someone else said they'd had a job interview and felt nervous but as soon as they saw Batman they knew it was going to be OK. They got the job. | "Someone else said they'd had a job interview and felt nervous but as soon as they saw Batman they knew it was going to be OK. They got the job. |
"I said to a friend that I'd always wanted to make the world a better place but instead it's actually my cat that's doing it." | "I said to a friend that I'd always wanted to make the world a better place but instead it's actually my cat that's doing it." |
Transport and cat facts | Transport and cat facts |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |
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