Bertie the Cat – a Chichester Christmas Tale

Bertie the Cat, a new animation that tells the story of a cat who finds a warm welcome in a cathedral, has just been launched at Chichester Cathedral as a collaboration with Sanctuary, a local refugee charity.

Bertie the Cat – Chichester Cathedral

The short animation follows the journey of Bertie, a real cat who lives in the Cathedral Close in Chichester, as he finally plucks up the courage, sneaks into the cathedral and welcomes a family to join one of the annual carol services.

Bertie’s story has been developed in collaboration with Sanctuary in Chichester – a local charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers in the district, enabling them to build a new life in Chichester, having found refuge from conflict or persecution based on religious, social and or ethnic discrimination.

Written and narrated by the Interim Dean of Chichester, The Revd Canon Simon Holland, and illustrated by local artist Chloe Robertson, the story is now available online, via the cathedral website, and on its social media channels.

A Christmas trail inviting people to find Bertie amongst the cathedral’s treasures and artworks has also been launched alongside the story. There are several pop-up events for families during Advent and Christmas too, including a reading by the author, Simon Holland in the nave. Bertie might even make an appearance too.