There's a mouse in the House
Country Life UK|October 27, 2021
As Larry celebrates 10 years as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, Claire Jackson looks back at the cats of Downing Street–and the prime ministers who have served them
Claire Jackson
There's a mouse in the House

HE has provided continuity in a tumultuous political era, charmed world leaders and is (almost) universally loved by all on Downing Street. Yet, despite his nonpartisan character, the fur still flies from time to time. Larry the cat has been chief mouser since 2011, when David Cameron recruited the brown-and-white tabby from Battersea. Now 14, Larry has clocked up a decade in office and is serving his third prime minister. He might be the first feline to be bestowed with an official title, but he’s not the only political fat cat (a recent memo warned that Larry is suffering from the dreaded lockdown spread, ‘too many Dreamies’). Mousers have managed Government pest control for centuries, with the role ‘professionalised’ in 1929, when Whitehall staff sought permission for a penny-a-day allowance for the maintenance of the post.

Over the following years, more cats joined the payroll, receiving the odd wage increase in response to requests, such as that from one Mrs Law, in 1948, who wrote: ‘Please is it possible for the office cats’ food money to be increased as it is impossible to buy a week’s food for 1/6.’ Unlike previous mousers, Larry does not receive a salary from the taxpayer —instead, his keep is paid for by Downing Street wellwishers.

The influence of the paw patrol increased after one No 10 cat, Peter III, appeared on the BBC programme Tonight in 1958, blazing a trail for Larry’s public profile. When the moggy died in 1964, having served five prime ministers, he was buried in a pet cemetery and given a marble headstone.

この記事は Country Life UK の October 27, 2021 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Country Life UK の October 27, 2021 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

COUNTRY LIFE UKのその他の記事すべて表示
Kitchen garden cook - Apples
Country Life UK

Kitchen garden cook - Apples

'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'

time-read
2 分  |
October 23, 2024
The original Mr Rochester
Country Life UK

The original Mr Rochester

Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre

time-read
5 分  |
October 23, 2024
Get it write
Country Life UK

Get it write

Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution

time-read
6 分  |
October 23, 2024
'Sloes hath ben my food'
Country Life UK

'Sloes hath ben my food'

A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright

time-read
3 分  |
October 23, 2024
Souvenirs of greatness
Country Life UK

Souvenirs of greatness

FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.

time-read
3 分  |
October 23, 2024
Plants for plants' sake
Country Life UK

Plants for plants' sake

The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson

time-read
7 分  |
October 23, 2024
Capturing the castle
Country Life UK

Capturing the castle

Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker

time-read
6 分  |
October 23, 2024
Nature's own cathedral
Country Life UK

Nature's own cathedral

Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods

time-read
5 分  |
October 23, 2024
All that money could buy
Country Life UK

All that money could buy

A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages

time-read
8 分  |
October 23, 2024
In with the old
Country Life UK

In with the old

Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery

time-read
5 分  |
October 23, 2024