JAMES BOWEN INTERVIEW
A statue dedicated to Street Cat Bob has been unveiled. Alison Gallagher-Hughes speaks to James Bowen and the sculptor who have immortalised Bob in bronze so that his legacy will live on.
We chat about the new Street Cat Bob statue and how James has coped since losing his best friend.
James Bowen wept when he first saw the sculpture that immortalised his lost soul mate, Bob.
The anticipation preceded an eight-hour round trip to see the sculptor at her home, in mid-Wales, at a crucial point: between design and bronze casting of the statue. And on arrival, he saw a familiar profile through a window.
“We pulled up to the farm and I could see through the window into her studio,” says James.“He was there,
I could see him; it was him. I just burst into tears. He was sitting there looking at me through the glass. It was such an incredibly emotional experience, very cathartic, I suppose,” he confides.
LOSING BOB
It is just over a year since the ginger tom cat, who became a global phenomenon through a series of books and two films, died after being hit by a vehicle near his
Surrey home.The free-spirited street cat had shaken off the constraints of lockdown but failed to return.
“He pretty much broke out. He was so desperate to get out. We were locked down to an hour a day at the time and he just couldn’t handle it. He went exploring and on his way home got hit by a car,” explains James, his voice choking.
James estimates that Bob was aged between 16 and 17 and he knew the day would come when they’d have to say goodbye. However, James still feels robbed of the chance of being with him at the end.
He says:“While he was still alive, I knew something had to be done to commemorate him when that day came.
I was always dreading that moment, knowing it was going to happen, that it was inevitable. During the first few weeks after it happened, when it was still very raw, I decided that it should be a statue, sited somewhere like the Angel or Covent Garden.”
THE STATUE
James launched a GoFundMe page that raised more than £120,000 and enabled the creation of the sculpture, its installation, landscaping, and future maintenance. James settled on the location: Islington Green, a place where he used to sit with Bob as respite during a busy day, not far from the spot outside the Angel tube station where they would sell ‘The Big Issue.’The site is also overlooked by the branch
of Waterstones bookstore where James and ghost writer Garry Jenkins would meet to begin chronicling the story and where the first of the books — ‘A Street Cat Named Bob’ — had its official launch.
Islington Green is a triangle of oasis, surrounded by busy streets.The life-size bronze of Bob sits atop a bench made of Corrennie granite and depicts Bob sitting on a pile of books, head turned to one side, wearing one of his scarves.
It is flanked by two wooden benches within a half-circle. On one is carved:‘Everybody deserves a second chance,’ and on the other:‘Stronger together — James and Bob Bowen.’The marble bench itself is inscribed:‘He is my companion, my best friend, my teacher and my soul mate and he will remain all those things. Always.’
It is a touching tribute from a man who reflects:“I don’t know if I would have been alive today if I hadn’t met Bob.”
The process of creating a tribute to Bob began when James admits he was “not able to function at all.”‘Team Bob’ — his erstwhile group of volunteers — contacted artists with an invitation to express interest in undertaking the commission and sculptor Tanya Russell was chosen.
Tanya says:“James was very pure in his aspirations for the sculpture. He just wants Bob remembered as Bob and that’s really important to him. So, that really was the brief. He helped choose the pose and wanted something that was very natural, not too flamboyant or showy, depicting Bob as happy and content, sat there surveying the scene, just watching everybody and everything that was going on around him.”
Tanya spent between 400 and 500 hours perfecting the sculpture and found that James had a “really good eye” relating to characteristics acutely observed — the crook of his head, the puffiness of his cheeks, the curl of his tail.
THE UNVEILING
The unveiling was a celebration of Bob’s life but at the same time, it was a tough time for James.Visibly moved, he frequently wiped away the tears during a short ceremony to which only 30 people could attend due to Covid restrictions. It was live streamed to Bob’s fans via Facebook.
Tanya was in attendance, presenting James with a foundry bronze replica of the statue. James spoke about the installation being a lasting reminder of Bob’s legacy and thanked those who had
I don’t know if I would have been alive today if I hadn’t met Bob.
helped to make it a reality, mentioning Islington Council which supported the venture and the Veterans’ Association who gave permission for it to be sited within the memorial garden.
“I was aware that they had refused previous requests from others because of the war memorials here, but they said ‘Yes, go for it’ which meant so much,” says James.“It’s kind of Bob’s spiritual home. I hadn’t been there for a while, not since we made the last film, ‘A Gift From Bob’, but I will be visiting the statue regularly. You’ll probably find me camping in the grounds.”
The Blue Cross and ‘The Big Issue’— two charities that James keenly supports — also attended the event.Vet Mark Bossley spoke movingly about how much we can all learn from James and Bob’s story and their relationship with the Blue Cross over the years. While ‘Big Issue’ vendor William Herbert, who knew James and Bob when they too worked the area, said the spot would be enjoyed by families and children.
So, what now for James Bowen? He is keen to raise further public awareness around homelessness and how it is managed. Being in the media spotlight has allowed him to knock on doors. He would like to use some of the funds raised to undertake a documentary on homelessness around the globe and how nations manage the problem differently but is still waiting to find a production company to partner him in the venture. He continues to write and perform music and his love of pets continues. He and fiancée Monika Hertes now have four cats: Pom Pom, Jynxie, Bandit, and Gizmo, and eight-month-old dog Chewbie.
Although all pet relationships are to be treasured, some stand out as unique — and their memory will live on.
I will be visiting the statue regularly.