Mari Jones

Carla says “Mam and Dad gave me Ted when I was born. They bought him from Mothercare. Ted still goes everywhere with me: we have been all over Britain and Europe together. Cuddling him always makes me feel better. In August 2022 he visited the toy hospital to have his front and back fur replaced, […]

Cas says “Nous-nous was bought for my granny when she was a child, in 1905. He was then passed to my father when he was a child, and in turn he passed to me and my sister. When we were children, Nous-nous was considered very special due to his age. We were only allowed to

Marion says “I remember my dad coming home with Jingles one day. What a lovely present! It was 1954, and I was three years old. I also remember taking Jingles with me into hospital when I was four, to have my tonsils and adenoids removed. I still have my doll called Rosie, who is the

Jasmine says “My great nan gave me Beary when I was a newborn. Now, 23 years later, as soon as she is well enough to see me, I want to show her Beary, and tell her how special he has always been to me. He’s old now and all his fabric has become see-through. He’s

Sue says “Sandy was a birthday present from my Nana’s neighbour for my first birthday. He has always been with me, and was always my favourite toy. I remember another teddy called Ricky, but I don’t know what became of him, Sandy was my childhood comforter, and always slept in my bed at night. He

Christmas morning 1936 was a very special day for a 5-year-old little girl called Avril, because when she woke up, she found Bruin the Bear sitting on her bed. He is a brand of bear called a Chiltern Hugmee from the Chiltern Toy Works in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. Bruin was a very large bear, and he

Bunny came into our lives when my son Devon was a newborn, 10 years ago. Devon is devoted to Bunny, and when he was small he used to carry him in his hand at all times. We always had to make sure that Bunny was here at bedtime, because Devon couldn’t sleep without him. Over

For 25 years I had a ‘toy’ that was my constant companion. It was a pillow called Lily! My Grandma gave her to me when I was one. I used to take her everywhere, because I couldn’t sleep without her. Lily survived for 25 years; she will always be missed.  In 2013, soon after we

This is Susan’s story: “In 1965, when I was two, my Grandad gave me a present. It was Sammy, a little panda! Very soon afterwards, Sammy and I set off on a long journey: we emigrated to Australia with my family! We sailed through the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, the Indian Ocean, and finally arrived

Sheila says “Doggy wasn’t mine to begin with; he belonged to my elder brother. I was probably only about two or three when I first saw Doggy, and I fell in love with him.  I sneaked him into my bed that night, and gradually he just became mine. Hiding in bed with him that night