Blue plaque unveiled at home of Paddington creator

1 hour ago

Cash MurphySouth East

Dawn Brown On the right is Karen Jankel, the daughter of Paddington Bear author Michael Bond, pictured at the unveiling with a Paddington Bear. She is wearing a patterned dress and has grey hair. On the left is Haslemere mayor Jacquie Keen, who is also holding a Paddington Bear and is wearing a light green jacket and black trousers. She has blonde hair. — Haslemere mayor Jacquie Keen (pictured on the left) with Bond's daughter, Karen Jankel, at Saturday's unveiling

The unveiling of a blue plaque at the former Surrey home of Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond was a "lovely" occasion with an unexpected surprise, the organiser has said.

Bond, who died in 2017 at the age of 91, moved to Fairacre in Haslemere in 1968, where he spent the next 10 years writing several Paddington books alongside the scripts for the original television series.

The unveiling, on Saturday, took place with the permission of current owners, Steph and Neil Stephenson, and was attended by Bond's daughter, Karen Jankel, who presented them with a special gift.

"It was the [Paddington] Bear that was Karen's as a child," Haslemere Society chairman Chris Harrison said.

Dawn Brown Chris Harrison, chair of the Haslemere Society, unveiling the blue plaque at the former home of Paddington Bear author, Michael Bond. Chris is in a grey suit and is holding the curtain used to cover the plaque. The blue plaque is visible in the image. — The Haslemere Society, including chairman Chris Harrison, organised the unveiling

Harrison said about 25 guests were invited but "the same [number] again" turned up to see the unveiling.

A number of those were "people who remembered the family" living there, including Jankel.

"Quite a few friends were reunited today," Harrison said.

Also among the attendees were the owners before the Stephensons, who Harrison said had travelled all the way from Exeter in Devon.

Speaking earlier this week, Steph Stephenson said the pair had suspicions but only learned of their home's history after the Haslemere Society wrote to them.

The chairman said the success of the day had sparked conversations about the possibility of a Paddington statue in Haslemere.

"We'll have to crowdfund for that!," he added.

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