Paddington bear on a bench: they are vandalised and repaired

[whole diary]

[stuving]

i recall many years ago that "a" two foot high cloth Paddington bear was removed from a flimsy plastic wrap around case on the course at Paddington station.

It turned out to be two students from one of the country's across the pond who had removed the bear.

Not sure if any one can actually recall when this "removal" occurred.

28th August 1992. I'd say you've done pretty well at remembering that, though as usual some of the facts have evolved a bit in storage. (Obviously I'm not relying on my memory for this!) From reports in several papers, the bear was three feet high, was in a glass dome (or case) and had been there for 25 (or 12) years, five youths were seen outside Paddington with Paddington and arrested, and two Canadians were charged with criminal damage next day.

[infoman]

Strange how time plays tricks with your memory,
I do recall it was Canadians although I didn't say on my original posting I was trying to be P.C.

Although i thought it was wrapped around in a flimsy plastic container

[TaplowGreen]

The stuffed dog at Slough station used to disappear occasionally if memory serves (not guilty I should add!!!)

[IndustryInsider]

The stuffed dog at Slough station used to disappear occasionally if memory serves (not guilty I should add!!!)

It looked like you'd need bio-hazard PPE^▸ (Personal Protective Equipment - safety wear) to handle that thing safely!

[grahame]

The stuffed dog at Slough station used to disappear occasionally if memory serves (not guilty I should add!!!)

It looked like you'd need bio-hazard PPE^▸ (Personal Protective Equipment - safety wear) to handle that thing safely!

We find that dogs need to pop outside for the call of nature occasionally (usually at 3 a.m.)

[Chris from Nailsea]

An update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Vandalised Paddington statue to return

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A Paddington statue that was ripped from a bench by two RAF^▸ (Royal Air Force) engineers is to be reinstalled.

The homage to the famous bear has been repaired and repainted and will be unveiled during a ceremony in Newbury, Berkshire, on Wednesday.

Part of the statue was removed and taken in the early hours of 2 March by Daniel Heath, from Thornton, near Bradford in West Yorkshire, and William Lawrence, from Enderby, Leicestershire.  The pair, both 22 and based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, admitted criminal damage and were ordered to carry out unpaid work as well as pay £2,725 to cover the cost of repairs.

The statue was originally unveiled in the hometown of Paddington creator Michael Bond in October 2024.  It was one of dozens put up across the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) as part of the Paddington Visits trail to celebrate the film, Paddington in Peru.

The repaired bear will be unveiled by Ian Batho and Ashley Morris from Newbury Business Improvement District (BID).

Ben Beardmore-Gray, marketing manager at Newbury BID, said: "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.  The reinstallation offers a unique opportunity for us to provide a special moment that parents can share with their children, so we'd like to invite any families along on the day to join us welcoming Paddington home."

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.

[Clan Line]

Back in place !!  (Today's Telegraph)

[Image from here is not available to guests]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks, Clan Line.

[infoman]

This time at Westquay in Southampton on Sunday just gone reported on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) south news.

There were 23 others around the country to celebrate the new Paddington bear film.

Would any know where the others were located?

[Chris from Nailsea]

More details, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Paddington Bear statue bench targeted by vandals in Southampton

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Stephen Manion said he was "sad" Paddington's bench had been "destroyed"

A bench, on which a statue of Paddington Bear was seated, has been targeted by vandals in Southampton city centre.

The statue of Paddington was temporarily taken to a nearby coffee shop after the bench took a "battering" on Sunday, according to GO! Southampton.

It was one of dozens put up across the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) in October 2024 as part of the Paddington Visits trail to celebrate the film, Paddington in Peru.

Stephen Manion, executive director of GO! Southampton said the statue itself was "unharmed" and it would work with police to help find who caused the damage to the bench.

Southampton's bear was originally placed outside WestQuay shopping centre, before being moved to Guildhall Square.

Manion said the incident was a "real shame".

"His hat needs a bit of a repair and his paw's got a bit of scratch on it, but he'll be loved and looked after and back here very soon," he said.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed it was investigating damage to the bench. "We are making CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit TeleVision) enquiries and speaking with witnesses to further investigate the matter," it added.

The vandalism comes a year after an identical Paddington statue in Newbury was ripped from a bench by two RAF^▸ (Royal Air Force) Odiham engineers. The bear was reinstated and unveiled at a ceremony last April in the Berkshire town.

Go!Southampton - the Business Improvement District organisation for the city centre - is responsible for the 3ft 6in statue.

Manion said: "Luckily, Paddington remains unharmed." He explained that the statue of the marmalade-eating bear was being kept safely at its offices until the bench was fixed "ready for him to return home".

"We will be working on this as quickly as possible, so people won't be without Paddington for too long. There is clearly a lot of love for Paddington in the city," he added.

(BBC article continues)

[Phantom]

This time at Westquay in Southampton on Sunday just gone reported on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) south news.

There were 23 others around the country to celebrate the new Paddington bear film.

Would any know where the others were located?

Ashby de la Zouch - Ashby Spa WI Garden, Market Street 
Birmingham - Medicine Terrace at Selfridges, Bullring
Bury St Edmunds - arc Shopping Centre
Cardiff - St John’s Gardens
Chester - Foregate Street
Edinburgh St Andrew Square Garden
John O’ Groats - John O’ Groats Sign Post
Lanark - High St
Land’s End - Land’s End Sign Post
Liverpool - Liverpool ONE
London Paddington - Connaught Village
London Westfield - White City, W12
Manchester – Spinningfields, Hardman Square
Newbury – Northbrook Street
Newtownards - Conway Square
Penrith - Town Centre
Peterborough - Queensgate Shopping Centre
Reading - Broad Street
Salisbury - Fisherton Street
Southampton - Westquay Shopping Centre
Sunderland - Bridges Shopping Centre
York - Dean’s Park

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Southampton Paddington Bear statue returns home after vandalism

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Paddington Bear has returned to his spot in Southampton's Guildhall Square - Image © GO! Southampton

A statue of Paddington Bear has been returned to its rightful spot after being targeted by vandals.

Paddington's bench in central Southampton was destroyed earlier this month leaving him with nowhere to sit. But the much-loved bear who "became one of city centre's gems" is back in Guildhall Square, tucking into his marmalade sandwich, after the efforts of local businesses.

Stephen Manion, executive director of GO!Southampton, said: "It's great to see Paddington Bear back in the heart of the city bringing joy to passers-by."

The local branch of bank BB Merchants funded the bench repairs, while its planters were given a fresh lease of life by Southampton business, The Garden Society.

BB Merchants' Neil Fillbrook said the company wanted to "offer tangible help". "As Paddington would say: 'If you're kind and polite, the world will be right.' "I'm with the righteous bear on this and it's such an important message that resonates today more so than ever before," he added.

Police are continuing to investigate the vandalism and are reviewing CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit TeleVision) footage.

Go!Southampton - the Business Improvement District organisation for the city centre - is responsible for the 3ft 6in statue and had been looking after him in its offices while the bench was restored.

The Paddington statue originally arrived in Southampton in 2024 as part of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)-wide trail celebrating the release of the film Paddington in Peru.

It was originally placed outside Westquay shopping centre but later moved to Guildhall Square.

[Chris from Nailsea]

An update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Police escort for Paddington statue dumped in Southampton park

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Paddington was "given a police escort" after he was found in the park, said officers - Image © Hampshire Constabulary

A statue of Paddington bear that was targeted by vandals has been taken from his bench again, days after being reinstalled.

The sculpture of the children's character was temporarily removed from Southampton's Guildhall Square in April, when the bench it had been sitting on was destroyed, before being put back in place last week. But in the early hours of Sunday, police were called to assist after it was reported missing.

Hampshire Constabulary said officers found Paddington abandoned but intact, in nearby East Park.

In a Facebook post, Southampton police said: "He was recovered safely and, as you can see, was given a police escort while arrangements were made for his return. Thankfully, he was found in one piece - and he certainly needed a marmalade sandwich after his ordeal.

"While we know Paddington is a much-loved character and this may raise a smile, damage to public property is a serious offence. The statue brings joy to residents, visitors, families and businesses in the city centre, and it is disappointing to see him targeted again so soon after recent repairs. Please look after Paddington. He is a bear of very good standing in our city."

(BBC article continues)