Bromham Teddy Bear trail brings village together following devastating fire

The village’s Teddy Bear Trail, with a movie theme for 2021, drew in huge crowds despite the drizzly weather.

Bears were stationed in front gardens, in windows and even within the village church.

The likes of Dorothy Gale, Robin Hood, Mary Poppins, Harry Potter and Maria von Trapp were recreated in bear form to help raise money following a horrific fire at the Bromham Social Centre.

The fire had left many local organisations out of pocket.

While a full-scale style carnival event could not go ahead this year given Covid restrictions, people still travelled from across Wiltshire to take part.

Setting up his son’s bear is Mick Barber Photo by Trevor Porter

Young couples, big families and schoolfriends all came together to enjoy the trail over the course of the weekend.Event organiser Cathy Welch said: “It was a huge success, it was the biggest trail we’ve ever had and we’ve raised more money than ever before.

“I think it was partly because it was outdoor and an excuse for people to get out to something a bit different after the year we’ve had.

“But people also just felt so strongly following the fire, that it also pulled more people together.“It was really lovely to see the village come together.”

A total of £3,500 was raised following the event.

People of all ages had made bears and embarked on the trail. One grandmother even brought one set of grandchildren on the Saturday, then returned the following day to do the trail all over again with her other set of grandchildren on the Sunday.

Bromham Teddy Bear Trail Event co ordinator Cathy Welch with the signs for the fund raising event toward the Bromham club rebuild Photo Trevor Porter 67525 2

Cath Fillis at the village shop had also taken part despite working on Saturday. She had the Lone Ranger bear-ified alongside his Native American friend, Tonto.

“It’s always a really fun event,” she said.

“I take part every year, it really is something a bit different.”

On Sunday, local councillor Laura Mayes, who had sponsored a bear, took on the bear hunt.

“My husband and I spent a very happy morning doing the trail,” she said.

“All the teddies were brilliant. We won’t be winning any prizes but we had a great time to trying to work out the clues! A big thank you to everyone involved - it was fantastic!”

One group of friends had grown up in Bromham and attended the local school, and invited their friends from further afield to join.

“It’s been great,” they said.

“It’s actually been quite difficult as well, we’ve struggled to find a few.”

Charlie Gowell on the trail on the teddy bear trail looks at exhibit 45 at Jockey Lane Photo by Trevor Porter

The favourite creation was ‘Room on the Broom’ made by Denise Hammond. Other favourites voted for by trail-goers included the bear forms of Ghostbusters, The Flintstones, King Kong, the movie Up and Home Alone.

The carnival committee will soon be making preparations for a winter event however, with the loss of the social club, it may be on smaller scale than in previous years.