Cat flap – Whittington Hospital logo comes to life

Published: 04 June 2010
by TOM FOOT

SAY hello to Whittington Cat! A real-life version of the feline from the Dick Whittington panto has found a home at the Archway hospital bearing its name.

The cat has appeared in Whitting­ton Hospital grounds every morning since January, lolling about in the gardens or napping in the NHS offices. “It’s like our Whittington logo has come alive,” a hospital spokeswoman said. “Whittington Cat goes about like he owns the place. He gets a lot of attention from anyone who passes. His real name is Bosik – it’s eastern European I think – and he lives over the road. Most days, around 7pm the owner comes over and gets him.”

The arrival of Whittington Cat boosted staff at a time when NHS bosses were drawing up plans to shut the Highgate Hill hospital’s A&E department. It is believed the cat inspired the celebrated “Meow for the Whittington” chant during February’s mass protest march which helped save the unit from closure.

Dick Whittington and his Cat is the story of a poor boy in the 14th century who becomes a wealthy merchant and eventually Lord Mayor of London. The boy, according to the story, makes a fortune out of his black cat’s rat-chasing skills. There is statue of the legendary Whittington Cat, with its head turned back towards central London, on Highgate Hill.

Bosik’s rat-catching abilities will not be required on hospital grounds, a spokesman added.