Beloved Paddington bear returns to Newbury after vandalized statue is repaired and unveiled in a special ceremony.
The Return of Paddington: A Beloved Bear’s Homecoming
A vandalized Paddington statue that was ripped from a bench by two RAF engineers is set to be reinstalled. The repaired bear will be unveiled during a ceremony in Newbury, Berkshire, on Wednesday.
Paddington Bear is a fictional character created by Michael Bond.
He is a small, anthropomorphic bear from Peru who loves 'marmalade sandwiches' and gets into various misadventures in London.
The character was first introduced in 1956 and has since become a global icon.
Paddington's distinctive hat and label around his neck have made him easily recognizable.
He has been featured in numerous books, films, and television shows, captivating audiences with his kind heart and humorous antics.
The Vandalism and Repairs
Part of the statue was removed and taken in the early hours of 2 March by Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22 and based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. The pair admitted to criminal damage and were ordered to carry out unpaid work as well as pay £2,725 to cover the cost of repairs.
A Special Moment for Families
The repaired bear will be unveiled by Ian Batho and Ashley Morris from Newbury Business Improvement District (BID). ‘We have received so many lovely messages from parents who wanted to share how much their children have been missing Paddington… we are delighted to announce that Paddington is finally ready for his much-anticipated return to Newbury.‘ said: Ben Beardmore-Gray, marketing manager at Newbury BID.
A Unique Opportunity for Families
As part of the unveiling, children are being encouraged to write a letter welcoming Paddington back to Newbury. They can be delivered to a special postbox next to his bench between 10:00 and 14:00 BST on Wednesday. The unveiling ceremony will begin on Northbrook Street at 11:30.
A Homecoming for the Beloved Bear
Since the removal, Paddington‘s place has been held by a sign saying he had to leave ‘on a short adventure’. The return of the bear is a welcome sight for families and fans in Newbury.
- bbc.com | Vandalised Paddington statue to return
