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Smudge (died 2000) was a Scottish cat who became a minor celebrity in 
Purr 'n' Fur: Smudge, the Trade Union Cat from Glasgow
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smudge (Cat) 2000 animal deaths Glasgow Green Individual cats in Scotland
Glasgow
Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...
. She was employed by the People's Palace museum in Glasgow Green to deal with a rodent problem in 1979.
Smudge then became a fixture of the museum, which sold Smudge merchandise including ceramic replicas designed by noted potter Margery Clinton
Margery Clinton (1931–2005) was a Scottish ceramist and a specialist in reduction lustre glazes. She studied painting at the Glasgow School of Art between 1949 and 1953 and was part of the Young Glasgow group, whose inaugural exhibition w ...
. In the 1980s, Smudge became a full blue-collar member of Branch 29 of the General, Municipal and Boilermakers Trade Union, after NALGO
The National and Local Government Officers' Association was a British trade union representing mostly local government "white collar" workers. It was formed in 1905 as the National Association of Local Government Officers, and changed its full ...
refused her admission as a white-collar worker
A white-collar worker is a person who performs professional, desk, managerial, or administrative work. White-collar work may be performed in an office or other administrative setting. White-collar workers include job paths related to government, ...
. Smudge was used as a mascot for several campaigns including 'Save the Glasgow Vet School' (1989), 'Paws Off Glasgow Green' (1990). In 1987, Smudge disappeared for a number of weeks, but after many appeals (including one by the Lord Provost of Glasgow) she was recovered.
Smudge left the People's Palace in 1990 with the departure of Elspeth King, the museum's curator. When Elspeth became director of Stirling's Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum
Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, formerly The Smith Institute, is an art and local history museum in Stirling, Scotland. The museum was founded in 1874 at the bequest of artist Thomas Stuart Smith.
History
Founding
Thomas Stuart Smi ...
, Smudge was called on again to deal with a rodent problem. Smudge died at her home in 2000 after a long illness. A plaque is now dedicated to the memory of Sister Smudge at one of the side entrances to the People's Palace; it reads:
See also
*List of individual cats
This is a list of famous cats which achieved some degree of popularity either in their own right or by association with someone famous.
Before the modern era
* Nedjem or Nojem (Egyptian: ''nḏm'' "Sweet One" or "Sweetie"), 15th century BC. The ...
References
External links
Purr 'n' Fur: Smudge, the Trade Union Cat from Glasgow
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smudge (Cat) 2000 animal deaths Glasgow Green Individual cats in Scotland