PADDY: "Scout, Cousin Paddington, Jago, Freddy, Duckie! Come quickly!"
SCOUT: "What is it Paddy?"
JAGO: "Paddy! Are you alright?"
COUSIN PADDINGTON: "Paddy what is the emergency?"
FREDDY: "Is everything alright, Paddy?"
DUCKIE: "This better be good, Paddy! I was just getting comfortable, nesting in a tea cup!"
BOGART: "Is there a fire, Paddy? Quick! Run!"
PADDY: "No, no, Bogart! There is no fire! Everybear... and fox and duck, we have a special letter that has just been sent to us. Mr. Postman just dropped it off!" *Trembles with excitement.*
COUSIN PADDINGTON: "Why is a letter so exciting, Paddy?"
PADDY: "Look! There is a gold crown on the envelope, and it is addressed to all of us."
SCOUT: "What does that mean, Paddy?"
JAGO: "That means it comes from The Queen!"
PADDY: "That's right, Scout. The return address is HM Queen Lilibet, Bearingham House, London."
SCOUT: "Oh wow! A letter from Ma'am as in Ham! How exciting! What does it say?"
PADDY: "I don't know, but if you all agree, I'll open the letter."
SCOUT, COUSIN PADDINGTON, BOGART, JAGO, FREDDY and DUCKIE: "Yes Paddy! Open it up!"
PADDY: *Opens envelope.* "Look everybear, fox and duck! It's a photo of all of us with Her Majesty!"
SCOUT, COUSIN PADDINGTON, BOGART, JAGO, FREDDY and DUCKIE: "Wow!"
SCOUT: "I am sitting on Ma'am as in Ham's lap!"
JAGO: "You look very handsome in your bowtie, Paddy."
PADDY: "So do you, Jago, and Bogart."
BOGART: "You have such a nice smile, Duckie."
DUCKIE: "I know!" *Proud.*
BOGART: "Duckie! This is where you are supposed to say something nice in return."
DUCKIE: "I did! I agreed with you Bogart! I have a nice smile." *Nods and settles back proudly.*
PADDY: "How proud you look, Freddy."
FREDDY: "Gosh! Thank you Paddy! I think Cousin Paddington looks very smart and proud too!"
COUSIN PADDINGTON: "Look Paddy! There is something written on the back! What does it say?"
PADDY: *Turns photograph over and reads aloud.* "Dear Paddy, Scout (and Dolly), Cousin Paddington, Bogart, Jago, Freddy, Duckie and Daddy, thank you so much for your kindness, generosity and love during Our visit to you on our Golden Jubilee Tour. We were so touched by everything you did to make Us feel so welcome and to mark the occasion so royally. Please accept this Royal souvenir of Our time together as a token of Our appreciation. We hope to visit again soon. Until then We are sending you lots of Royal big little bear hugs and snuffly kisses! HM Queen Lilibet."
SCOUT: "Oh wow Paddy! That is so lovely of Ma'am as in Ham! We must show Daddy!"
PADDY: "Yes, it is! What a good idea, Scout! Let's all go show Daddy!"
PADDY, SCOUT, COUSIN PADDINGTON, BOGART, JAGO, FREDDY and DUCKIE: *All go to find Daddy and show him the photo.*
2022 marks the year that Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of devoted and loyal service to her people.
Celebrations will be happening in Britain and around the world during the Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend which takes place from 2nd to 5th June, and that includes here! How very exciting!
God bless our Queen! Long may she reign over us!
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Bear was made by Merrythought in Britain. She has been hand made from customised, platinum-tipped diamond white mohair plush, and she has The Queen's blue eyes and a hand stitched nose and enigmatic smile. Her left paw is embroidered with the years 1952 and 2022, in between which sits the royal crown. She is wearing a coronation robe of purple velvet, featuring satin lining, ermine trim, and extensive golden embroidery. Keeping true to the original Imperial robe, it is accessorised with two satin bows and luxury Italian tassels to finish. Her crown is a silver-plated replica of the Imperial state crown, which Her Majesty wore as she left Westminster Abbey after her coronation. It is studded with twenty six gemstones, has a purple velvet lining and white ermine trim. Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Bear is number 557 of a worldwide limited edition of 1952.
My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.
He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.
Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.
Travelling all the way from London, Cousin Paddington was caught in transit thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, but now he has decided that he is stopping with us permanently. That makes me happy, as the more I look into his happy, smiling face, the more attached I am becoming to him.
Bogart has travelled all the way from Georgia, via Alabama as a gift to me from a friend. He has lovely Southern manners and seems to be a fun and gentle soul with an inquisitive nature.
Jago was a gift from a dear friend in England. He is made of English mohair with suede paw pads and glass eyes. He is a gentle bear, kind and patient who carries an air of calm about him. He is already fitting in with everyone else very nicely.
Freddy Fox is made by Merrythought in England. I bought him, of all places, from a men’s accessory shop in Melbourne’s Block Arcade, called Mr. Wares. Freddy Fox is made of English Mohair with felt paws and glass bead eyes. He has so much charm and charisma that already he is winning hearts with anyone whom he meets, and he is kind and sweet, which makes him an ideal member of our family.
Duckie I saw when I was at a Sunday market on a stall of homemade knitted and crocheted items. She caught my eye straight away with her happy, smiley face and bright colours. I think she finds life with my bears intriguing and perhaps a little confusing, however she is learning.
