How Paddington Became Britain’s (and Hollywood’s) Most Beloved Bear
So, who exactly is Paddington Bear?
Paddington Bear is quite small. This may not be a revelation to you. You’ve likely read Michael Bond’s books, illustrated by Peggy Fortnum, which show the bear at the height of people's waists. You might have also watched the live-action movies, where our three-foot-six inch hero explores London. Or, perhaps, at the request of a younger family member, you recently checked out The Paddington Bear Experience, an interactive event where you help make marmalade for Paddington (who, ever polite, expresses his gratitude). Yet, I still find it surprising each time I pass by Marcus Cornish's bronze statue of the character at Paddington Station and realize that this bear, who holds such a prominent place in our cultural imagination, is actually quite small. Rather scruffy. A tad slim.
The tale begins at Paddington Station as well. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are there to pick up their daughter when they notice a solitary bear perched on a suitcase. He sports a wide-brimmed hat, and there’s a tag around his neck that says, “Please take care of this bear. Thank you.” The bear, surprisingly able to talk, only causes mild astonishment. He wins over the lady and enjoys tea with the gentleman. He has just come from Peru, sent by his aunt. What’s his name? It’s too complicated to say, so the couple names him after the station and brings him home. The bear, who is both well-spoken and a bit clumsy, becomes an integral part of their family and the local neighborhood.
Another equally significant tale involves a BBC cameraman who finds himself out shopping on Christmas Eve. Seeking shelter from the falling snow, he steps into Selfridges. While browsing in the toy department, he spots a lone teddy bear on a shelf and decides to take it home for his wife. They give it a name—after a nearby train station—because every teddy needs a name. Moved by the bear’s sad look and memories of child evacuees from World War II, the man, who has a background in that conflict and dreams of being a writer, starts penning a story. Just ten days later, he sends a manuscript to his literary agent. Fast forward two years, and “A Bear Called Paddington” hits the shelves. Michael Bond would go on to write 15 books in this beloved series during his lifetime.
The black and white bear: Peggy Fortnum's drawings played a key role in making Paddington popular in his early days.
I still remember my parents reading that first book to me, and later on, I was able to read the stories by myself. My little nephew sleeps with a Paddington bear toy. Back when my mom was in school, she met the author at a book fair, picked up a copy of More About Paddington, and chatted about the bear's escapades. She still treasures that signed edition. I have a feeling that many people in this country have their own Paddington stories, and when I share mine with Karen Jankel, Bond's daughter and the manager of his literary legacy, she has that familiar expression of someone who's heard such stories countless times before.
"An inseparable part of him": BBC cameraman Michael Bond released the first of his 15 Paddington books in 1958, choosing to name his character after the nearby train station close to his home in Notting Hill.
"We were a family of three, along with Paddington," Jankel recalls. "So, in essence, we were a family of four." The first book came out just two months after her birth in 1958, and the teddy bear—which Bond had gifted to his wife for Christmas—was an integral part of their lives. Paddington accompanied them on vacations, and they even set a place for him at restaurant tables. I can't help but wonder if his presence ever became overwhelming—though I hesitate to use the word overbearing—but Jankel insists it was all "quite simple." Being an only child meant she didn't have any sibling rivalry over Paddington. After her parents divorced, they continued to share "joint custody" of the beloved bear.
Jankel describes Paddington as a blend of her father's qualities, noting that the bear's moral compass, gentle nature, and fondness for food all reflect Bond's character. However, Jankel highlights an essential distinction that helps us grasp both the bear's persona and Bond's literary style: "Paddington interprets everything quite literally, while my dad certainly had a fantastic sense of humor."
The Brown family — dad Henry, mom Mary, and their kids Judy and Jonathan — reside at 32 Windsor Gardens, a fictional address in Notting Hill. This location might now remind people of vacant, marble-clad Russian retreats, but in the stories, it's depicted as a warm, inviting space filled with homey charm (in reality, Windsor Gardens would direct you to a rather ordinary apartment building off Harrow Road). The Browns embody a delightfully typical English family: Henry works as an insurance broker, Mary is caring, and the children are both sweet and occasionally a bit sarcastic. So, what does Paddington do all day? He tries to assist the housekeeper, Mrs. Bird, and enjoys snacks at elevenses with Mr. Gruber, a Hungarian immigrant and antiques seller. Paddington has his own lovable — and let's be honest, sometimes bothersome — ways of stirring things up along the Portobello Road.
When Bond was working on his first book, he lived close by in a small apartment on Arundel Gardens. There are plenty of similar stories to share. Jankel remembers when her dad discovered a note on his car’s windshield, which sparked an idea for a tale where the bear finds a letter in his shopping basket and unwittingly becomes involved in a plot to sell defective vacuum cleaners. Then there's the amusing family story about Bond's father, who was notoriously inept at home repairs; he once covered a door with wallpaper and ended up trapped in a room. For the full story on that, check out Paddington.
Compact yet exquisite: above, the bronze statue by Marcus Cornish at Paddington station.
What makes Paddington truly special is his uniqueness. He hails from the remote region of Darkest Peru! (Initially, Bond thought he was from Africa, but his agent pointed out that bears don’t live there.) He has a strong love for marmalade! He sports a duffel coat! Unlike many characters in stories, he never undergoes a transformation. The world spins around this unchanging bear, who's a blend of both a wise elder and a curious seven-year-old. As he shares with Judy, “I’m the kind of bear that always finds himself in adventures.”
In his later years, Bond felt the need to keep the bear by his side constantly. “The bear was a huge part of his life,” Jankel explains. “[Paddington] felt like a companion to him.” Following the author’s passing in 2017, the teddy bear stayed with Bond’s first wife until her death. Now, it is with Jankel.
It's safe to say that the movies made a significant impact. These live-action versions, featuring a CGI bear interacting with real people in cities, were simply captivating. The first film, called Paddington, released in 2014, along with its 2017 sequel, Paddington 2, grossed over £350 million globally. This success catapulted Paddington to a different level of recognition, with bigger stakes and more celebrity involvement. While you could point to statistics and awards to measure the films' achievements, let’s focus on Paddington's roots instead. When Jankel first visited Peru in 2012, aside from a few toys at the airport in Lima, Paddington was largely unknown. However, when she came back a couple of years later, after the first film’s release, things had changed dramatically. Suddenly, everyone was familiar with the bear — stores were filled with books about him, and duty-free shops surely had plenty of plush toys. “They even had a statue,” she recalls. “In fact, I was the one who unveiled it.”
Up until that time, Paddington's transformation from a bear into a recognized brand was both remarkable and somewhat unusual. You might find it surprising that the very first Paddington bear toy was actually a gift for Jeremy Clarkson. His mother, Shirley, created it as a Christmas gift for him and his sister Joanna. The toy turned out to be so well-received that she decided to produce more. After her company secured the rights to sell them in the UK in 1972, she ramped up production even further. It was Shirley who gave Paddington his initial pair of Dunlop wellington boots to help the toy stay upright. Soon after, a toy company in America began distributing Paddington bears abroad.
In 1976, an animated series by the BBC made its debut, with a script by Bond, direction by Ivor Wood, and narration by Michael Hordern. In these four-minute segments, Paddington fumbles his way through a whimsical world of paper cutouts. It's quite charming. A follow-up emerged in the late 1980s, created by Hanna-Barbera, which took a distinctly American approach; they even introduced a cousin named David for Jonathan and Judy, who is impossibly upbeat. Later, in the late 1990s, there was another series, a collaboration between France and Canada, featuring a bear who is chubby, brightly colored, and strangely reminiscent of an admiral.
Hugh Bonneville, who portrays Mr. Brown in the films, reflects, “This was my first real encounter with a character I could read about instead of having someone read it to me. I was quite anxious and protective about Paddington being tarnished by awful Hollywood types.” The initial image of Paddington as a movie star—standing alone outside Buckingham Palace—did little to ease his worries. The Daily Mail drew comparisons between him and Aleksandr Orlov, the meerkat mascot for the insurance-comparison site ComparetheMarket.com. Meanwhile, under the hashtag #creepyPaddington, social media users began Photoshopping the bear into increasingly unsettling scenarios: Paddington lurking in the Overlook Hotel, witnessing Joffrey's poisoning, and peering through Janet Leigh's shower curtain.
"The initial reactions were not positive," remembers Rosie Alison, a producer at Heyday Films who has been involved throughout the series. "People were wondering, 'What’s up with this strange, lifeless bear?' But we believed the movie had much more to offer."
Sally Hawkins plays the role of Mrs. Brown, who discovers a bear at Paddington Station in the film ‘Paddington’ (2014).
The movie exceeded expectations. This wasn’t shocking, considering Heyday's track record; the British film studio had previously adapted JK Rowling's Harry Potter series into one of the most successful film franchises ever. Alison, who initially reached out to Bond in 2002, credits much of the film’s success to Paul King, who directed and co-wrote the first installment. Having a background in theater and having directed the quirky comedy series The Mighty Boosh, which was a favorite of Alison's daughter, he was seen as someone who could create a vibrant world around the character that also celebrated the art of cinema.
The world of Paddington feels warm and nostalgic. In this London, people greet each other with friendly waves. Calypso music fills the air as it plays through the streets. The homes have a charming, storybook appeal, with doors reminiscent of those found on a vintage Advent calendar. "It's truly unique compared to anything else," Alison remarks. "It possesses a crafted, whimsical spirit." When I meet Alison at the Framestore offices, the London-based animation studio responsible for the films, we sift through some props together: there's a copy of "The Grrrdian" and an elegant umbrella, similar to what you'd find at James Smith & Sons, which the residents of Windsor Gardens give to Paddington.
The movies also include humor. King successfully captured the kind of wit found in Fawlty Towers within the Bond films. Jankel mentions, “My dad had a knack for amusing road signs and would often write them down.” For example, a sign near the Underground escalators reads, “Dogs must be carried,” leading Paddington to scoop up a Chihuahua and ride the escalator.
Nicole Kidman plays the sinister taxidermist Millicent Clyde in the original movie.
The follow-up, directed and co-written by King alongside Simon Farnaby, surpassed its predecessor. In this installment, Hugh Grant takes on the role of the villain: a washed-up actor named Phoenix Buchanan, who now finds himself in dog-food commercials. This performance might be one of Grant's finest moments. The film features an unforgettable final scene where the newly imprisoned Buchanan performs Stephen Sondheim’s “Rain on the Roof” for a captivated audience. It's a rare post-credits moment that is genuinely worth watching. The film boasts an impressive 99 percent rating on review-aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, making it a brief moment of triumph for those invested in such ratings, as it outshone Citizen Kane.
Brendan Gleeson plays the character Knuckles McGinty in the film 'Paddington 2' released in 2017.
Alison expresses her astonishment at his global influence. She notes, "What stands out about him is how straightforward he is—his principles are genuine, and his goodness is undeniable. In a world often filled with skepticism, he offers a refreshing contrast."
Bond had given his approval for the changes and recognized how significantly the first movie had brought his character to life, as Jankel noted. He passed away on the last day of reshoots for the sequel, feeling reassured that Paddington was being cared for by capable people.
The third movie, Paddington in Peru (hitting theaters on November 8), takes the bear back to his roots—or at least, to his other home. Life in London is shifting: Jonathan and Judy have grown up, Mrs. Bird is feeling the effects of an empty nest, and Paddington is reflecting on family. So, the group from Notting Hill sets off on a journey to Peru to see Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton). However, they soon learn from the Reverend Mother (played by Olivia Colman), who oversees the Home for Retired Bears, that Paddington's beloved aunt is missing. Where could she be? Somewhere in the Amazon, you know—the largest rainforest on the planet.
Thus begins an adventure featuring Antonio Banderas as a charming steamboat captain, along with some revelations about Paddington's history. The crew shot some background scenes in Colombia and Peru, but most of the filming occurred in studios in the UK, with a farm near Leavesden providing a perfect jungle setting. There are also a few updates to the team: Emily Mortimer takes over the role of Mrs. Brown from Sally Hawkins, and the screenplay is now in the hands of Mark Burton, Jon Foster, and James Lamont. Additionally, there's a new director at the helm, as Dougal Wilson steps in for King, who was occupied working on expanding the Dahl Cinematic Universe with Wonka.
"It's a huge responsibility, and there's a lot of excitement and positive energy surrounding the films, which made me quite nervous about accepting the role," Wilson shares with me. "However, I couldn't say no. I’ll give it my all. I think that’s what Paddington would do as well."
This marks Wilson's debut feature film, although he has extensive experience in the advertising world and has directed delightful music videos for artists such as Coldplay and Basement Jaxx. He even once brought a Shetland pony to life by making it moonwalk in a commercial for a phone brand. Within his sketchbook for this project, you'll find some recurring visual themes: the post-impressionist work "Tiger in a Tropical Storm" by French painter Henri Rousseau; Werner Herzog’s films "Fitzcarraldo" and "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" (which Wilson humorously suggests are fitting for children); and "Apocalypse Now." The 1949 British black comedy "Kind Hearts and Coronets," featuring Alec Guinness in multiple roles, helped shape Banderas's storyline that incorporates various ancestors of the character. Once again, Paddington is under the care of someone who knows how to keep things playful and entertaining.
The main attraction returns to South America: ‘Paddington in Peru.’
Wilson shows Alison and me something he calls a "crapomatic," which is basically a storyboard for a potential final sequence (if you're in the industry, you'd likely know it as an "animatic"). It's meant to sketch out a musical number in which Colman's character gets ready for Paddington's arrival. We check out a rough version on his laptop, where Barbie choreographer Jennifer White is stepping in for Colman. She dances around a partially built set while a recorded song by Colman plays in the background (Wilson composed the tune himself, with some assistance from Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy). Even in this incomplete state, it looks like a blast—imagine The Sound of Music mixed with Jumanji and an OK Go music video.
I ask Alison and Wilson—who, like everyone I interview for this piece, discuss Paddington as if he’s just in the other room—about how they see the character. What things would he do, and what wouldn’t he do?
Olivia Colman stars in 'Paddington in Peru.'
Wilson said, "He consistently saw the good in others, maintained a positive outlook regardless of the circumstances, and never held onto anger or resentment towards anyone."
Alison agreed, saying, "He was always just."
Wilson mentioned again: "He was always kind and courteous, always willing to see the best in people."
Whenever we discuss Paddington, we often mention that he embodies quintessential British values. Is that a valid observation?
Alison: “That's how we prefer to see ourselves, right? He embodies acceptance, inclusivity, empathy, kindness, and generosity. Those are the feelings we aspire to have.”
Not long after the #creepyPaddington incident during the casting of the first movie, there was another problem. Colin Firth was initially chosen to voice Paddington. However, as they began animating the character, it became clear that it wasn't a good fit. Alison explains, "Colin, being very gracious, recognized that too." As a result, Firth stepped away from the role, leading to another round of auditions. Actors came to Goldcrest, a post-production studio in London, to test their voices. With Paddington visible on screen, the team could determine “who suited the character best,” according to Alison.
"I was hesitant to audition at first," Ben Whishaw shares. The actor hadn’t considered taking on the role of Paddington before and didn’t have any experience with either Bond’s work or voicing an animated character. “When Paddington comes to London, he’s just as lost as I felt. I could relate to that sense of unfamiliarity, but it still posed a challenge.”
He expresses, "My voice closely resembles his own." He believes that many actors, himself among them, need to connect with the characters they portray on a personal level. In this case, that connection happened to be through his own voice.
Whishaw has put a lot of thought into his portrayal of Paddington since he got the role. "His positivity and kindness are really charming and lasting," the actor shares. "He always tries to see the best in others, even in those whom people often overlook or don't think about at all. Paddington brings out warmth and affection in everyone he encounters, and that resonates with both readers and viewers." When I inquire if it’s difficult to bring a character like Paddington, who is so constant, to life, Whishaw's insightful response sheds light on his effective approach. "While Paddington's core values and personality remain steady, it's also part of who he is to be flexible, especially when he faces different situations and meets various characters," he explains. "I simply approach portraying Paddington in the same way he would—embracing everything with open arms."
I discovered that Whishaw's audition generated both joyful applause and audible relief from the folks at Goldcrest. While the actor himself is “not exactly sure” what makes his voice so effective, others around him have some thoughts on it. Mortimer, who starred with Whishaw in Mary Poppins Returns, notes, “In many ways, he embodies all the traits that Paddington has.” She emphasizes that he's not chaotic or messy, but he brings a profound sense of emotion and a playful energy, with a noticeable sparkle in his eye. Alison mentions his “innocent youthful charm,” which sets him apart from Hordern’s more resonant storytelling. It presents a young Paddington that feels both heartfelt and genuine.
I can't help but wonder if it feels strange for Whishaw, a uniquely talented actor known for taking daring career paths, to be so strongly linked to this bear character.
"It's a bit odd since I only do the voice of Paddington," he confesses. "But I've had nearly a decade to adjust to it."
None of this could have happened without perfectly capturing the essence of the bear. During a workshop with animation director Pablo Grillo and VFX production supervisor Alexis Wajsbrot, I discover that this was quite a challenge. Wajsbrot explains that Grillo plays a key role in "bringing Paddington to life," something I had already sensed when Grillo mentioned during our cover shoot that Paddington would feel "a bit confused but thrilled" about being on the cover of Esquire.
Grillo explains that the design of Paddington for the movies was guided by three key influences. The first was the iconic line drawings by Peggy Fortnum from the original books. Next, they took inspiration from real-life animals, focusing on adorable examples of spectacled bear cubs since Paddington is one. Lastly, they drew from the comedic styles of performers like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, using their physical humor as a blueprint for Paddington's movements.
It took roughly half a year to discover the perfect match: straightforward, charming, and full of personality. Nothing too complicated, please.
Capturing footage of a creature that isn't real comes with its challenges. "It can be quite confusing for everyone involved," Grillo explains. To help the cast, a short-statured actress named Lauren Barrand will practice alongside them to develop an understanding of the movements. They also utilize an "eyeline stick" (which is exactly what it implies—just a stick) to help the actors know where to direct their gaze. Additionally, they have a Paddington bear lookalike made from beaver fur, ominously referred to as a "stuffie," which they use to test the lighting setup.
To figure out how the bear will move in the animation, the team relies on real people for reference. Javier Marzan, a theater actor, contributes the comedic gestures. Additionally, Whishaw performs scenes to add a genuine instinct and physical reactions to emotional moments, according to Grillo. They also incorporate clips from Whishaw's ADR (automated dialogue replacement) sessions to ensure accurate lip-syncing. Overall, this process involves about 120 animators.
After my workshop, I attempted to animate a bear with the help of a very patient employee from Framestore, Arslan. He advised me to adopt an English style of animation rather than an American one, emphasizing the importance of subtlety in movement. The expectations were modest; we aimed just to get the bear to nod. I was determined, and the environment was conducive to success, but unfortunately, my bear ended up looking neither American nor English—it simply twitched in a rather threatening manner.
It's simpler and more pleasant to adopt Bonneville's perspective. When I inquire about what it's like to perform alongside a dummy, a substitute, or even nothing at all, he responds, "To me, the bear is real, and I refuse to let anyone claim otherwise."
Before filming Paddington in Peru, the producers reached out to the Home Office to see if they could get a copy of a passport for the movie. The Home Office responded positively. This bear now holds a blue passport, which is securely stored, but I've had the chance to take a look at it, and I can verify that this bear is indeed a British citizen. Similar to every British monarch since King George II, Paddington has two birthdays: June 25 and December 25. His passport reflects his summer birthday, and under “official remarks,” it just states “bear.”
Finally, some solace for Paddington, whose immigration situation has become a complex issue. When the second movie came out in 2017, shortly after the UK voted to leave the European Union, the screenplay by King and Farnaby highlighted the significance of outsiders. It wasn’t a political statement, but it resonated with the feelings of a significant portion of the public (48%, to be exact). “We want Paddington to maintain a light-hearted tone, avoiding any overtly preachy or political messages,” Alison explains. “Different people connect with him for various reasons, but we aim to keep him out of political disputes.” In 2022, in reaction to the government’s asylum policy concerning Rwanda, civil servants even put up posters around the Home Office featuring Paddington, suggesting he had entered the country through an "irregular route."
In Bond’s stories, much like the finest children’s books, there is always a lingering sense of danger. This comes from various sources: the inquisitive locals, such as Mr. Curry, the Brown family's neighbor who resists any changes in his area, minor criminals (including a shady entertainer who once deceived Paddington into playing at a piano concert), and the unsettling notion that Paddington, similar to many refugees throughout history, could be taken away at any moment.
The film showcases these feelings of worry and tension. In the movie, Mr. Gruber, played by Jim Broadbent, hails from Germany rather than Hungary. As he talks about his journey on the Kindertransport, he expresses, “My body made the trip quickly, but my heart took a bit more time to catch up.” Meanwhile, Mr. Curry, portrayed by Peter Capaldi, calls Paddington “an unwelcome guest.”
Image © Peggy Fortnum and HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd, 1958, 2003
"My dad had a knack for incorporating contemporary events into his writing, whether they were humorous moments or political issues," Jankel explains. "He was living right in the area where the stories take place when he wrote the first book, not far from Portobello Road. It was during the Windrush era, so he was acutely aware of themes related to belonging and feeling out of place."
In 1961’s *Paddington Abroad*, Paddington experiences a hiccup when leaving London. In the third chapter, "Trouble at the Airport," he is taken to a separate room after an officer suspects he lacks a passport. The Browns are also uncertain about Paddington’s travel papers. Mrs. Brown worries, "You don't think they could send him back to Peru, do you?" But there’s no time to fret! Soon after, they find themselves on a flight to France, where Paddington wins over a whole village and even prepares escargots. It turns out he had a passport all along; no one simply thought to ask him about it.
Bond definitely understood the importance of setting boundaries. During the initial talks about the script for the first movie, the producers thought about including a scene in an immigration office at the beginning. Alison remembers how the author insisted that they get rid of that idea. However, the part where Paddington and Mr. Brown are in the tearoom at the station? That was essential.
Some might argue—many have before—that films don't accurately reflect the way refugees are treated in the UK. The same criticism could be leveled at the idealized portrayal of London. Perhaps these expectations are unreasonable for a family movie. “What matters is that this version of London feels possible,” Bonneville explains. “We can read and complain about how terrible things are, how divided we feel, and how little we know our neighbors, but despite all that, a sense of community really does exist.” It's a fantasy that resonates with reality.
In 2014, to celebrate the release of the first movie, 50 Paddington statues were set up all around London. Each statue was crafted by a different celebrity: Liam Gallagher transformed the classic blue duffel coat into a khaki version, while Stephen Fry decorated one with a Union Jack, which eventually found its way to Lima. In 2019, Taylor Swift shared a picture of herself in a duffel coat on Instagram, saying, “Can’t stop won’t stop twinning with Paddington.” That same year, an animated series featuring Whishaw’s voice debuted, leading to an impressive total of 115 episodes. In 2022, Paddington shared a delightful tea moment with the Queen in a two-minute sketch aired for her Platinum Jubilee, where he thanked her in his own quirky way for “everything,” as they tapped out the iconic tune of “We Will Rock You” on their teacups. Following the Queen's passing a few months later, numerous Paddington bears and jars of marmalade were left as tributes, prompting the Royal Parks to kindly request that mourners refrain from adding more. Next year, a musical about Paddington is scheduled to premiere in the West End.
Paddington has become a universally beloved character, appealing to everyone across age groups. He's adored by children for his cuteness, while adults find him heartwarming. He symbolizes immigration and has even formed friendships with members of royalty.
Mortimer points out something fascinating: the moment you genuinely try to discuss Paddington, you completely miss the mark. While this observation strikes a chord, it also raises some concerns for anyone who has been striving to approach the topic seriously. It seems like both the character and the stories challenge you not to view them too seriously.
Instead of taking a serious approach, we tend to come off as somewhat pretentious, as Mortimer herself admits. During her time at university, she encountered a phrase by Coleridge that she believes reflects Bond's writing. It goes something like this: "Genius is the child’s imagination carried into adulthood." (When I finally locate the exact quote buried in one of Coleridge's essays hours later, it turns out to be longer and more complex, so we'll stick with Mortimer's simplified version.) She explains, "Holding onto a child's imagination can be incredibly inspiring as you grow older. You can see that essence in these books. It's as if he's tapping into a child's imagination when he writes."
I recall those words the next time I visit Paddington Station. Kids scramble over the bronze statue while their parents snap pictures. Afterwards, they’re likely to visit the store right nearby that’s all about Paddington. The window displays a poster for the latest movie. Inside, you can find T-shirts, lunchboxes, and backpacks for sale.
I make my way to the canal and stroll beneath the Westway to a grassy spot at the end of St Mary’s Terrace. At first glance, it might not be obvious, but there are three figures near a bench. These are steel statues honoring notable local figures: codebreaker Alan Turing, Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole, and author Michael Bond. On a September morning, the clear autumn light illuminates these metallic tributes, transforming sketches into sculptures. Bond holds his famous creation, complete with a suitcase and a label. While both figures show signs of rust, Bond's gentle smile and Paddington's curious yet serious expression remain discernible, echoing his sympathetic nature toward the world.
