A statue commemorating Jess, the cherished cat of Andover railway station, is nearing its final stages, with the inclusion of the feline’s ashes now completed.
This heartfelt tribute has been created by artist Amy Goodman, following a successful fundraising campaign by members of a Facebook group dedicated to celebrating Jess’s life and antics, which raised over £5,000 for the project.
The statue, which has been meticulously crafted out of clay, portrays Jess in a lifelike pose, modeled from a photograph of the black-and-white cat. The sculpture was then taken to the Talos Art Foundry in Quarley, where it was cast in bronze. The statue is currently split into two sections to facilitate the placement of Jess’s ashes inside the hollow figure. Once the ashes are securely encased, an inscription dedicated to Jess will be etched onto the statue, and the two parts will be welded together.
In the final stages of the process, Amy will use a pencil grinder to add the finishing textures to the bronze sculpture before it undergoes patination—a treatment that applies a protective layer to guard against weathering. Once completed, the statue will be returned to Andover train station, where Jess spent his days, taking pride of place in the ticket office.
Before the statue is installed at the station, the public had the opportunity to view it at an open workshop at Lains Farm, Quarley, on August 17 and 18. This event also showcased the studios of other local artists, including stone carver Zoe Wilson, ceramicist Elaine Peto, painters Soraya French and Alice Straker, textile artist Katy Rundle, and sculptors Matt Duke and Pat Bule.
Tracey, a local resident who played a key role in Jess’s commemoration, visited the Talos Art Foundry to witness the progress of the statue. The visit was particularly poignant, as she brought Jess’s ashes to be incorporated into the bronze sculpture.
Jess’s statue is expected to be completed next week, with his distinctive tuxedo markings carefully added to the final piece.
