Making summer bearable

The bears who answered our call!

Horsham Museum and Art Gallery invited teddy bears from the Horsham district to holiday at the museum from Friday 30 June to Saturday 2 September 2017 for the exhibition ‘Making Summer Bearable’.

Photographs and details of the holidaying teddies who took part, suitcase in paw, in their best brushed fur.

Arsenal Dave Age: 3

This bear supports Arsenal but apparently his owner doesn’t.

Aussie Bear Age: 15

Aussie Bear, now around 15 years old and comes from Horsham in Australia.

Baby Bear and Cadbury Bear Ages: 6 & 5

The little Cadbury Bear came from Cadbury World, Birmingham.

Bedtime Billy and Football Billy Ages: 6 & 7

Both chaps came from Butlins in Bognor Regis.

Benson Age: unknown

A lady came into the shop wanting to sell this bear, she said his name was Benson. I bought him because I felt sorry for him and couldn’t bear to sell him on as he looked so sad.

We will make sure that Benson has a splendid holiday!

Big Bear Age: 26

According to my (now grown-up) boys, Big Bear was a gentle soul. He played with his friends Little Mutt and Billy Bones, who from what I remember, were much naughtier bears!

Big Bear Age: 7

Big Bear has really BIG feet.

Big Ted Age: 47

Big Ted was my first Christmas present from my Mum & Dad in 1969. They got him from somewhere in Redhill, Surrey, my mum can't remember where though. He isn't a particular type or name of bear. He was bigger than me because I was only 4 ½ months old, hence the name Big Ted.

Billy Bones Age: 23

A rather cheeky bear, Billy Bones got up to a lot of mischief with his bear friends when my sons were little. I do hope he will behave at the museum.

2 Build-a-Bears Age: 5

Build-a-Bear Workshop was born from an idea founder, Maxine Clark and her friend Katie, who was 10 years old at the time, had when they were out shopping for stuffed toys. When they couldn't find the stuffed toy Katie wanted, she said, ‘These are so easy, we could make them.’ She meant do a craft project, but what Maxine heard was so much bigger.

Every adult said it would never work ‘why would anyone ever want to make their own stuffed animal?’ But every kid said ‘Where is it?’ and ‘When can I do it?’ The first store opened in 1997 at the Saint Louis Galleria in St. Louis, Missouri. Today there are over 400 stores worldwide and over 125 million furry friends adventuring around the globe. One 10 year old girl was the inspiration for this entire company!

Brighton Bear Age: 9

Won on Brighton pier and brought back to live in Horsham.

2 Cadbury Bears Age: 5

2 more bears from Cadbury World, Birmingham.

Charly Age: 6

Charly with his friends Elmer and Fynn Charly is a Steiff bear and is huge! My son bought him for himself some years ago: he was 5 when he bought Charly from Collingwood Batchellor in Horley in 2011. Charly had a sign on him saying he needed a home :-)

Charmin Bear Age: 8

Bought with loo roll tokens.

Cuddly Age: 60

My old teddy (Cuddly) says he wants to come on holiday with Red Teddy.

I was given him (new) in about 1957 when I was 2 years old. He’s interesting because he’s short-legged, like Pooh Bear. He fell into some blue oil paint (my mother was painting with oils) and so got painted over (his nose) with brown to disguise it.

If you already have enough bears and you can’t accommodate Cuddly, I’ll explain it to him.

We can ALWAYS accommodate a ‘Cuddly’ and are delighted to have him here!

Egyptian Bear Age: 73 My dear old teddy is very precious to me, but rather tatty.

Not at all - we think he is rather full of character!

I was born in January 1944 at the end of WW2. My teddy was brought home from Egypt (I think Cairo), when my father returned from the war later in the year. He served in the Royal Air Force during the war, mostly in the Middle East.

Teddy's stuffing is fine wood shavings and his nose is made from camel skin. He was a robust toy when I was a little girl and I used to dress him in home knitted dolls clothes and take him out in my doll's pram.

In more recent years Teddy has been exhibited in School History lessons - I was a Primary School teacher. He has also been exhibited at my grandchildren's school, when they have shown historic Teddies!

Elmar Age: 5

Elmar is my Steiff bear that my son bought for me in 2012. He still has his labels attached, as he is more of an ornamental bear.

Flat Ted Age: 43

This bear was a companion to my husband (now aged 44) when he went off to Cranleigh Boarding School aged 7. Still features the sewn in name label required in all belongings. Flat Ted now belongs to our daughter.

Flatout Ted Age: 7

Flatout Ted - sent especially from Australia when my daughter was born.

He looks like he’s been sat on, but he really hasn’t. He is meant to be that flat!

The Flatout bear is made of 100% pure Australian sheepskin shaped like a teddy bear. According to the Flatout website, the ‘Flatout bear has a star studded fan base including Princess Mary of Denmark, Brooke Shields and Hugh Jackman. Apparently Sarah Jessica Parker termed the Flatout bear ‘charming and adorable’, Tom Cruise had it on his baby wish-list and Jennifer Garner ‘loves it’.

Floppy Bear Age: 6

As per his name, Floppy Bear… flops. But he has really great feet!

Fynn Age: 9

Dear holiday organisers, Please see attached pictures of my son's bear Fynn. Fynn is a Steiff bear with a suitcase, ready to travel. I bought Fynn when my son was a baby (my son is 10 now). We bought Fynn an outfit some years ago on an EasyJet flight that he likes to wear sometimes. Fynn has some friends: Elmer, Charly and Big Ted. Nice outfit!

Golden Jubilee and Emily Ages: 15 & 14

Dear Curator & friends, Firstly, let us make a briefly introduce ourselves from the picture, we are sure you have been bear-ied in offers. The biggest bear is Golden Jubilee & I'm Emily. Jubilee arrived on the Queen's anniversary to keep me company.

We've moved to Horsham and are now discovering what a great, green place it is to live in. The shady woods & forests with no seagulls making a racket, or trying to pinch your picnic is paradise.

We'd love to able to meet with more Bears from the area & would enjoy spending our summer holidays with them.

As you can see we adore hosting Posh Teddy Bear Picnics with our antique porcelain City of London china. There is nothing better than sharing a bag of Haribo sweets with friends as we chew over the price of honey...

Our owner is content to let us spend our holidays with you. None of us mind wearing labels - the posher the better, that's what we girls say. Jubilee has her birth year printed on her hind paw - 2002 - so that makes her 15 years old. I'm a year older - between us, sometimes I have to remind her of this!! We are super excited! The bearnet is buzzing with our news.

Bearing good wishes to you all Paws, Emily & Jubilee Bears Psst. Please save us some scrummy Horsham ginger bread for tea.

From their owner: I inherited these dear bears from my Mum. She acquired little chubby cheeked Emily in 2001. Realising Emily was alone, in 2002 one of her cherished friends bought her a commemorative bear for the Queens Golden Jubilee. The two bears hit it off instantly & have lived together ever since in Worthing by the Sea. They entertained Mum with their bantics (bear antics) & kept us all company as she drifted off to sleep...

One of their favourite games is ‘whose knitted knickers have the most stitches?’ - something they have still not solved. No matter what they've been doing during the day, they always turn up when afternoon tea is served.

Perhaps they will solve their favourite game whilst they are on holiday!

Grandma’s Special Ted Age: 2 years

Given to my daughter by her grandma, whilst on a visit to the seaside.

Harry Age: unknown

A ‘Harrods’ bear. Very posh! Lived in Horsham with current owner for 6 years but classed as a Vintage bear.

Herr Bear Age: 45 years

My name is Herr Bear. I was born in Germany and was adopted 45 years ago by my owner when she was eight and we were both living in Berlin.

I used to sing a little song thanks to a mini record player in my tummy but sadly I have now lost my voice.

Huggies Bear Age: unknown

This bear was obtained by collecting tokens from Huggies nappies for one of my sons.

2 Hug Me Better bears Ages: both 8

Soft and sweet!

Humphrey James and Ted Ages: both 40-45

Humphrey James and Ted were mine, but are now my daughter’s bears. The 1970s deep purple outfit was made by my mother.

James Age: 11

A smart, cuddly little bear.

Jasper Age: unknown Hello - I am Jasper, a relative of Snoopy.

As a child, my owner didn't have a teddy of her own but shared her big sister’s.

After telling this sad story to the staff and volunteers at Roffey Baby Clinic, and as I did not have a home at that time, my carer who was looking for a home for me where I would be loved, took me round to my present owner and I have lived happily with her for about 26 years.

Aaaaw, we do love a happy ending!

You can tell that Snoopy and I are related, although he is older than me.

Love from Jasper

Jubilee Teds Ages: both 5

Bought for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Kleenex Bear Age: 8

Around 8 years old – bought with tissue tokens!

Little Mutt Age 23

Though small, Little Mutt was an ‘in-charge sort of bear. And you could make him walk by putting your fingers in his ‘trouser-pockets’ at the back. I have no idea where the inspiration came from for my children to call him ‘Little Mutt’!

Lulu Age: unknown

Lulu with her friends at the South Downs Light Railway I'm not really pushy, but I thought you might like to see my latest snapshot, and an update of most of my friends, (taken in case I get lonely when I'm on holiday).

Of course, we reassured Lulu that she wouldn’t be lonely‌ My name is LULU, and I'm in this photo with all my friends at the South Downs Light Railway (in the Pulborough Garden Centre), which is where I live. I'm wearing my travelling hat. None of my friends can go on holiday yet as they will all be very busy having loads and loads of train rides with children and adults until the end of September...so please, please let me join you for your holiday?

LULU xxx Well, how on earth could we refuse?!

Malcolm and Picnic Ages: 65 & 66

Picnic (the bear with the curvy hips!) and Malcolm, (the skinny one!) first met when their owners set up home together in 1974. They have sat together on a shelf ever since. Both bears started out as birth gifts to their owners in 1951 and 1952 respectively so they are quite elderly now.

Maura Bear Age: 31

Brought to Australia as a gift when we were living there, then he moved back to UK with us.

Mohair Bear Age: unknown

Mohair bear, hump in back, purchased in Devon in 1990s.

Mohair Bear Age: unknown

Mohair bear with a hump in back, purchased in the 1990s.

Nugget Age: 29

Nugget is a Chad Valley bear, and was given to me as a leaving present from a work colleague at Padley's Chicken Factory in the summer of 1988. I'd just finished my A Levels and was doing a summer job in Grantham, Lincolnshire, where I lived at the time. I worked on the Nugget line packing chicken nuggets, and as he resembled the colour and fluffy coating of a nugget, that became his name!

I took Nugget to university with me as a mascot for moral support on leaving home.

My daughter Rosie semi-adopted him for cuddling over recent years so he has been much-loved and regularly dressed up in Build-a-Bear outfits such as these stylish dungarees!

Paddington Age: 36

No boots on this little fellow! Given as a 21st birthday present by twin brother to a person who also likes marmalade sandwiches. Both owner and bear have middle-aged spread.

Pooh and Hoop Ages: both 70

Pooh (the slightly darker colour bear) and Hoop have been in my life since birth and I am now 61. I believe them to be considerably older than that, as my Mum can remember them sitting on my grandparents’ bed. A story my Mum told me is that normally they would face each other, but if my grandparents had a minor disagreement then they would be facing away from each other for that particular day. The clothes they are wearing were made by my Grandma when I was very young. They have lived on my grandparents bed and have now lived happily on me and my wife's bed for 20 years, except when they go on safari holidays and have picnics in the garden as in the pictures.

Quick message from pooh and Hoop "We are certainly not

claustrophobic! Very much looking forward to our vacation...."

Rainbow Bear and Little Ted Ages: 2 & 7

Rainbows are a group aged 5-7, that girls join before joining the Brownies. Rainbow Bear belonged to my daughter when she was 5.

Little Ted was a present for my daughter’s birth in 2010, purchased from Purdies in East Street - where Tristan’s is now located.

Red Teddy Age: 87

Our old teddy is about 85 years old and has been loved almost to bits. He’s called ‘Red Teddy’, he was given to my mother on her 2nd birthday. He is a Steiff - but my mother removed the button from his ear as she thought it to be wrong! She lived in Horsham with Red Teddy practically all her life.

She died last year (aged 86) and Red Teddy would probably quite enjoy an 8-week holiday.

What a deserving little bear – we hope he enjoys his holiday!

Robbie Age: 7

Given to my daughter by her Granny, this bear has been much loved and taken on many a plane and camping trip!

We all love his one little whisker!

Rugger Teddy Age: 18

Rugger is a New Zealand All Blacks Teddy bear who was sent by airmail from a friend of ours in 1999 as a gift for our son when he was born. Our son loved him from the moment he saw him and we had to take him everywhere we went. He is well-cuddled so rather worn around the muzzle!

Rugger wears a logo branded kiwi rugby shirt and his ball is stitched under his arm. In the past, the ball has come loose and been stitched back in place. He has been dropped from buggies, left behind in shops and mislaid on various occasions to a meltdown of tears and distress, but always recovered! He now languishes in peace in the corner of his 18 year old owner’s bedroom - still very much loved but not physically needed in the same way as before!

Russ Bear Age: 12

Main task at home: sits on books.

Sainsbury’s Bear Age: unknown

Sainsbury’s bear for 2004.

Samuel Needlebear Age: 6 months

I'm Samuel Needlebear. I would like to come and look after the younger bears on their summer holiday. I will happily get my knotted hanky and deck chair out. My creator, Valli Shaughnessy, is able to make me a suitable bathing costume especially for the seaside.

Furtastically yours, Samuel Needlebear And he is here in his rather wonderful 1900s-style swimsuit!

Samuel Needlebear's story: In 1903 he escapes the Pogroms in Poland, settling safely in the West End of London, taking up residence in a boarding house where he lives and works as a tailor. Though poor, he produces fine silk garments. Presenting respectability with his waistcoat that doubles as his sewing box.

I designed him to fit the chair and glasses. He’s 37cm/14.5�, made from Schulte Alpaca and Windswept mohair and has wired arms and legs, with English glass eyes. Typical Jewish clothes designed and made by me including Kippah and Tallit made in one piece, with tassels tied traditionally. Clothes were aged then repaired. Sidelocks were curled in front of his ears.

Note from the owner/maker: Samuel Needlebear has received an accolade from Ian Pout of Teddy Bears of Witney recently at the Woburn Abbey Alfonzo Awards.

Small Brown Bear Age: unknown

Small brown bear - bought because he looked fun!

Small Fairy Bear Age: unknown

Small fairy bear, purchased Christmas time, I think, from Hillier’s garden centre.

Snoopy Age: 50 Dear people at the museum, I have been hearing about your invitation for bears to have a holiday in the summer and, although you may not be interested in bears made out of an old coat and who are now a bit threadbare, I thought I would contact you anyway.

I live in Horsham and was made in the late 1960s from an old coat found at a jumble sale. I was the first of many bears that my maker made, but the rest were all made from proper fur fabric. Some of her bears are spread throughout the world, but I know of only one other in Horsham, and he is called Jasper.

We think that Snoopy is the epitome of ‘upcycling’ – very impressed!

I went with my maker to the hospital where she trained as a nurse and to the university when she became a health visitor. Now, in my retirement, I live in the spare room and an adventure like the one you are proposing would suit me very well.

I hope to hear from you.

With love, Snoopy

Tatty Ted Age: 3 months

Tatty Ted was given to me for my birthday by my daughter.

Me to You is a global brand created by Carte Blanche in 1995, based

in Tangmere, Chichester. Tatty Teddy is a signature character of the brand. Tatty Teddy has captured hearts all over the world with his timeless message of friendship, happiness and love and now appears on a wide range of Me to You products including greeting cards, plush, clothing, gifts, figurines and confectionery.

Fact: over 75 million Me to You plush bears have been sold since 2000 – that’s 25 bears sold every minute!

Ted Age: 70

My bear is 70 years old and always wears his pyjamas to preserve his dignity. Always known him and called him Ted. If anyone could let me know his pedigree then I would be so grateful.

Dignity in the bear world is all.

Ted Age: 9

My daughter is very excited that her bear is going to be in the museum. Her teddy is 5 years old and she bought it at her old school fete in Hayes, Kent where she used live.

Ted Age: not known

Large and loveable!

Teddy Bear (un-named) Age: unknown

My husband and I have recently had a few rows over the parenthood of this little bear - I am fairly convinced he is mine, of course.

However I don’t think the bear cares much who owns him – he is just glad to be out of the loft.

Teddy Bear (un-named) Age: 10

We acquired this bear some ten years ago from a hotel in Bruges where we were staying.

He is dressed in the towelling robe and slippers supplied by the hotel. We will give permission for him to holiday with you for the summer.

Teddy Bear (no name) Age 49 My teddy does not have a name.

Aaaawww, that’s a shame – he looks like he should have a name!

He is 49 years old and I received him on my 21st birthday as my ‘childhood bunny – Flopsy’ came to a sticky end some years before.

He had his Cub Scout cap and scarf when he had pride of place in the local church at Harvest Festival among all the produce the Cubs had donated. Unfortunately, in some quarters he was frowned upon as he was poking out his tongue in church.

When we moved to Horsham he received a 2nd Horsham T-shirt to go with his cap and scarf.

He has never been on holiday before.

Made by Pedigree in circa 1968.