Public art spotlights a forgotten city figure
A striking new mural has been unveiled on the corner of Wellington Street and Arthur Street in Gloucester, celebrating a nineteenth-century mayor remembered for his compassion towards animals. The artwork depicts Ralph Fletcher (1780–1851) feeding cats, a nod to his decision to leave funds in his will to care for strays and to his lifelong efforts to curb cruelty.
The piece is the work of artist Murmur, whose research uncovered just how far Fletcher’s advocacy stretched. In 1846 he published A Few Notes on Cruelty to Animals, one of the early written arguments for stronger protections. The new mural is the first of two tributes to be installed in the city, with a second due to appear a short walk away at The Cross in the city centre.
"Nobody I have spoken to has heard of Ralph – and I think it's important to celebrate this forgotten and kind man,"
the artist said, explaining the decision to bring Fletcher’s story into the open where passers-by can meet it on their daily routes.
Ahead of his time on animal welfare
Fletcher’s pamphlet set out practical measures that feel strikingly modern. He urged tougher penalties for abusers and argued for the creation of places to treat injured or sick animals. According to the artist’s research, he was known to reward coachmen who kept their horses in good condition, handing out small sums as encouragement.
- 1846 text: A Few Notes on Cruelty to Animals
- Proposals: stronger penalties for cruelty; animal hospitals
- Personal actions: gifts to responsible coachmen; bequest to feed stray cats
Murmur’s exploration also turned up evidence that Fletcher served as a doctor at Gloucester Infirmary, indicating a public life that bridged civic leadership and medical practice. With no known surviving portraits, the artist worked from period detail to imagine his appearance.
"There are no photos or drawings of Ralph that I could find... I like to think he would have rejected the idea of wearing any furs anyway as an animal lover,"
she said, adding with a smile that some have remarked on the image’s "Peaky Blinders energy" – a touch of grit alongside the kindness.
Where to see it – and what's next
The mural has been supported by Voices Gloucester and the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub. The second piece, now in progress, will be sited close to The Cross, creating a short walking link between the two works and inviting residents to trace Fletcher’s legacy through the city centre.
| Subject | Ralph Fletcher |
|---|---|
| Dates | 1780–1851 |
| Artist | Murmur |
| Current mural location | Wellington St & Arthur St, Gloucester |
| Planned second site | The Cross, Gloucester (city centre) |
| Supporters | Voices Gloucester; Gloucestershire Heritage Hub |
Why it matters for Gloucester now
Fletcher’s story touches on an aspect of local identity that can be easy to miss: Gloucester has long produced civic figures whose ideas travelled beyond the city’s boundaries. His proposals on animal hospitals and tougher sanctions against cruelty predate many modern frameworks. By placing his image at street level, the mural offers a prompt to think about how those early efforts inform today’s attitudes to animal care and responsible ownership.
Public art also has a day-to-day impact. Pieces like this can guide people to corners of the city they may not visit often, support the work of local heritage groups, and provide a visual anchor for conversations in schools, community groups and neighbourhood forums. The second mural earmarked for The Cross is likely to draw more eyes to the city centre’s busy junction, encouraging people to pause and look up.
A conversation starter on the kerb
For those who stop by Wellington Street, the detail will catch the eye: a mayor feeding cats; a doctor’s steady posture; period clothing rendered without furs, in line with the subject’s convictions. The piece is designed to be read in an instant by someone heading to work or the shops, and equally to reward a slower look for those who make a deliberate visit.
Murmur summed up the intent behind the tribute with a nod to the city’s four-legged residents:
"The animals of Gloucester owe a big thank you to Ralph. Some of them may even be descendants of the animals he supported."
With one mural in place and another on the way, Gloucester’s streets are set to carry Fletcher’s ideas into everyday life once again – a reminder of how local history lives on in the places we pass each day.
