Paddington Bear arrives in Berkshire
Statues have been unveiled in Reading and Newbury to celebrate a new Paddington film
Last updated 9th Oct 2024
Paddington Bear has arrived in Berkshire with statues being unveiled in Newbury and Reading as part of a promotional trail to promote a new film.
Newbury
Paddington took a seat on a bench on Northbrook Street on Tuesday and was immediately embraced by the local community.
Newbury is particularly poignant as it's the hometown of Paddington creator Michael Bond.
Warwick Heskins, Newbury BID Chairman said:
"Newbury BID are excited to welcome home Paddington, and are delighted to be part of Paddington Visits, the UK and Ireland trail. We are looking forward to the national and international tourism offer that Paddington will bring to our town. Our businesses are thrilled to hear about the installation and the economic uplift. Now where’re the marmalade sandwiches?!"
Reading
A similar statue was unveiled in Broad Street in Reading on Wednesday.
Paddington is outside the Waterstone's book shop in Broad Street.
Paddington creator Michael Bond was brought up and went to school in Reading. He narrowly escaped death when he was in a building in Town Hall square which was bombed in 1943. 41 people died.
The Paddington statues are being unveiled ahead of the bear’s latest cinematic outing, PADDINGTON IN PERU, in cinemas November 8.