Beloved coastal cat who had run-ins with police honoured in new statue

Saltburn is mourning a beloved local community member and has honoured him in a brand new statue by the pier.

Only, the honoree isn’t human. Hendrix was a beloved local cat who frequented the seaside, letting himself into businesses and even arcades.

When the beloved moggy suddenly passed away last year, the community rallied around him, raising thousands to make a small statue in honour of the cat, who left a big impact.

Owner Nathan Bye, 40, told Metro he and his partner got Hendrix, named after legendary musician Jimi, when he was just a kitten.

Hendrix’s mum was a house cat, but his dad was a wild cat, which may have contributed to his adventurous side. He was also a polydactyl cat, meaning he had an extra toe. His ‘thumbs’ gave him extra-large paws. 

Before Nathan and his family moved to Saltburn six years ago, they lived next to the Metro in Whitley Bay. Hendrix would frequent the station, earning him his first title: Hendrix the Station Cat. 

‘He got on buses and metros often. He was a well-known character in Whitley Bay,’ Nathan recalled.

Upon the family’s move to Saltburn, Hendrix went off and found his new spot: not the station, but the Saltburn Pier. His furry face became a familiar sight in the arcades, fish and chip shops and local hotels.

Nathan had already created a Facebook page for Hendrix when they lived in Whitley Bay, but concerned residents in Saltburn were calling him often to pick up Hendrix.

Soon, the town learned Hendrix was right where he wanted to be – and they began posting photos of his adventures onto the page. 

‘The thing about Hendrix is he wasn’t scared of people. He would go into homes, shops, cafes, and up to anyone. He wasn’t scared of dogs either,’ Nathan said.

This fearlessness did lead to some police run-ins, however. Hendrix was escorted back home in a police vehicle after cops found him lying in the middle of a road near the beach. 

Another time, police called him to pick up Hendrix because he was ‘eyeing up’ a man’s pet eagle at the beach. 

A local fish and chip shop accidentally locked him inside when they closed for the day, and returned to find that Hendrix had eaten his fair share of their fish supply. 

When Hendrix passed away last September, chats about making a memorial for the beloved moggy began quickly. 

‘We found a cat sculptor and raised the money. People from Saltburn, Whitley Bay, and even around the world donated to it,’ Nathan said.

‘There were lots of people at the unveiling ceremony this week. It was a great way to celebrate Hendrix.’

Dozens showed up to celebrate the small cat who made a big difference in the town of Saltburn. The town’s mayor also made a speech.

The love for Hendrix was apparent in the smiles on attendees’ faces, as his little statue was unveiled. Most residents in Saltburn and neighbouring towns have memories of the tabby.

Helen Raine, from Redcar, told the BBC she encountered Hendrix in August 2020 during an outdoor yoga class, and he managed to raise their spirits even in the midst of lockdown. 

‘Our teacher could hardly hold her ‘downward dog’ yoga position. She was shaking with laughter as Hendrix proceeded to start moving on her mat with her, around her legs and arms and under her tummy,’ she said.

‘My friends and I have never forgotten that evening. It was just the good old laugh we’d needed after a long time in a strange year.’

If you’re in Saltburn this year and see a small bronze cat statue, give it a head pat – Hendrix would have loved it.

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