Paddington Bear’s Haslemere home gets a plaque of its own

The Haslemere home of Paddington bear has been given a special place in the town’s history – with a blue plaque unveiled at the house where his creator wrote some of his best-loved adventures.

Around 50 people gathered on Saturday at the Fairacre home of Paddington creator Michael Bond, who lived there for a decade.

Bond arrived in 1968 and spent some of his most productive years there, writing several Paddington books and scripts for the original television series.

Haslemere Society chairman Chris Harrison said: “It was a terrific day that became much bigger than we expected.

“It was very special, especially at my old family home,” said Bond’s daughter, Karen Jankel, adding: “It actually made me quite emotional and I wish my dad could have been there to see it.”

Karen remembered the room where her father wrote, saying he was “always at his typewriter” and there was “always a space for Paddington at the dinner table”.

“He never stopped writing,” she said.

“Our dad often spoke to us through Paddington with silly asides. So it feels like Dad is still speaking to us through Paddington even now.”

She also presented current owners Stephanie and Neil Stephenson with a very special gift – the Paddington Bear that had belonged to her as a child.

Inside its pocket, she found an old Haslemere library card bearing her name and the Fairacre address.

She said: “He’d lived there for much of his life, so it’s his home too. If we could all be a bit more like Paddington, I think the world would be a better place.”

The Stephensons only discovered their home’s literary past after a letter from the Haslemere Society landed through their letterbox.

Stephanie said: “I hope more things dedicated to Michael and Paddington pop up all over Haslemere now.”