Essex University celebrates first ever Campus Cat Day

Pebbles, a black and white cat, first arrived at the Wivenhoe campus in 2010. 

After attempting to return him to his owner, he made his back to the campus and made it his home.

Fan - Aura Dadson loves Campus Cat (Image: Steve Brading)

Since being adopted by chief executive of the Students’ Union (SU) Craig Stephens, Pebbles has remained a staple of the university, causing quite a stir along the way.

Delicious - Viviana Tif, Gabriel Mendizabal and Karolina Santos with some cat-themed cakes (Image: Steve Brading)

Pebbles, who was two when he first put his paws on the campus, now has many followers, both in-person and online, and is a welcome member of the community.  

Cute - Dr Sarah Hall's pebble of Pebbles painting (Image: Steve Brading)

To recognise his positive impact, Essex University's SU has declared March 5 as Campus Cat Day, which is now set to become an annual celebration.  

Creative - Anubriya Baskaran makes a pebble of Pebbles (Image: Steve Brading)

From midday until midnight, the day was jam-packed with all things cat-related, including a poetry and photography competition, themed cocktails and hot drinks, craft events and more.

Fun - Kieran Phillips with some Campus Cat merch (Image: Steve Brading)

The line-up included the Pebbles for Pebbles on Square 3, Campus Cat-tails in the SU Bar, the exclusive Cat-uccino in The Kitchen and a late-night Campus Cay Day bash at The In-between, which students dub is “more than a bar, but not quite a club”.

Smiles - Charbel Manokian with his a drawing and pebble to celebrate Campus Cat Day (Image: Steve Brading)

There was also Campus Cat merchandise and the launch of the Campus Cat Welfare Fund.

University chancellor Dr Sarah Perry also unveiled a specially made bronze statue of Pebbles.

Celebration - the new statue of Pebbles on campus (Image: Steve Brading)

She said: “He is a consolation and surprise and a pleasure to anyone who crosses his path.

Focus - James Theobald creating some Pebbles art (Image: Steve Brading)

“It is of course only natural such a wise and welcoming a cat should have chosen Essex as his place of residence – and it is only natural that he has become an international sensation.”

Vice-chancellor, professor Anthony Forster, added: “The sculpture on our Colchester Campus will be a delight to everyone who has known him and will be a lasting memory of Campus Cat for future staff and students. 

“Pebbles chose to live with us many years ago and each day he brings joy and happiness by being amongst us.”