Paddington Bear's Joyful Return to Newbury Bench

A cherished symbol of childhood joy, Paddington Bear, has returned to Newbury, England, following a recent act of vandalism.

 

On Wednesday, the town of Newbury celebrated the restoration of its beloved Paddington Bear statue, which now sports his iconic red bucket hat and blue coat, and is once again situated on a bench with a marmalade sandwich by his side. The repair follows an unfortunate incident last month when two Royal Air Force members vandalized the statue, leaving only its shell. The incident was a part of a campaign promoting the movie "Paddington in Peru," which features one of 23 similar statues installed across Britain and Ireland.

Local officials took pride in unveiling the repaired statue, which radiated joy amidst the beautiful spring weather. The event attracted a large crowd comprising children and adults, all eager to reconnect with their cherished childhood character. The two men responsible for the vandalism were sentenced to complete 150 hours of community service and ordered to pay 2,725 British pounds, approximately $3,500, for the statue's repair. Their expressions of remorse have helped facilitate closure, restoring Paddington as a source of community pride.

The statue's significance is amplified as Newbury is also the birthplace of Michael Bond, the author who created the iconic bear. As Paddington quietly enjoys his marmalade sandwich, the community can rest assured he will once again be lovingly looked after, reminding everyone of his timeless message: "If we’re kind and polite, the world will be right."