Edward has recently returned from a lovely holiday in Shropshire, another shire to add to his list of favourite places to visit. His base for the weekend was The Valley Hotel in Ironbridge which you may read about here. Edward and Compton enjoyed a trouble free journey both there and back, a rare occurrence these days on the UK motorway system but one they were grateful for. This allowed time to stop off enroute to explore the town of Brignorth, climbing many steps and looking inside impressive church buildings. One of these had a covid tree that Chief Bearer hung a heart on with the names of her parents. Edward gave her comforting hugs as she stood briefly in an act of remembrance.
Check in at the hotel was from 3pm. The bears were glad Eldest Bearer had remembered to bring snacks as breakfast was a distant memory and it was still several hours until dinner. There was then time to explore the small town, crossing the bridge and admiring the river. Walks were planned but Edward was most excited about visiting the Merrythought Factory, situated next door and protected by fabulous gates.
Edward enjoyed his dinners at the hotel, despite the reappearance of cheese. He was a little perturbed that the bed was rather small – he ended up sleeping alongside Compton on a bedside table. It is lucky that bears are such stoic creatures and can put up with these inconveniences when necessary.
On the first morning Compton left with the bearers for his weekly parkrun, a short drive away in Telford. Afterwards the bearers seemed disappointed that the pub where they ordered their breakfasts had run out of eggs. Compton pondered if the lack of this vital ingredient explained why he was provided with pastries rather than cake as a post run snack.
Back at the hotel, where Edward had been resting, a walk was planned for the afternoon. The bears opted to stay in bed – catching up on sleep given the overnight discomforts seemed a wiser activity for them. The same decision was made the next day when the bearers set off on another climb out of the gorge in which Ironbridge is situated. Energy was being preserved for the much anticipated visit to the bear factory on the final day.
And what a treat this was when it eventually occurred. So many fine bears to say hello to! There were other Edwards – copies of the bear that inspired the Pooh stories – as well as Paddingtons and Bartie Bristles. There were also many varieties of the iconic Merrythought designs, including some dressed as kings and queens. Old bears sat in glass cases emanating wisdom in a manner only they can achieve.
As Edward made his way around the shop one particular bear kept catching his eye. She explained that the fine, gold medal she wore under her beautiful sapphire and gold ribbon represented an important anniversary. Merrythought has been making bears on this site since it was established ninety-five years ago. This beautiful little bear was part of a limited edition design commemorating the anniversary. She introduced herself as Saphy and asked Edward, ever so nicely, if she could go home with him. Naturally he acquiesced.
Back in the car Compton was also delighted to meet this new friend. He tried hard to be on his best behaviour as she was so gentle and polite but was quite beside himself with the prospect of the welcoming cake he knew would now be made. Saphy agreed that this was the best way to welcome a new bear into a sleuth – and was excited to learn how large the one she would be joining was. The journey home was spent discussing favourite cake flavours, and learning the names of the other Merrythought bears already in residence.
