Question: How to raise £600 in 4 hours?

Answer: Hold a bonkers, very ‘British’, and exhilarating (for bears), Teddy Bear themed afternoon.

On Jubilee Sunday afternoon, despite unseasonable gloomy weather, the bell-ringers of St Michael’s Stoney Stanton contributed to the village Jubilee weekend, by leading a bear-themed festival.

Inside the church was housed a display of much-loved bears, old, middle-aged and new, begged and borrowed from members of the community on the strict understanding that all bears would be provided with adequate security. A ’Paddington Bear’ was raffled, and bear-themed sweet treats were sold (marmalade, honey and honeycomb), alongside gallons of tea and dozens of cakes. There was a ‘best-dressed bear competition, and a crocheted bears crafting demonstration.

It was outside the church, however, that the real excitement happened, as ringing (and non-ringing) volunteers staffed the Teddy Bear Zipwire and arranged the Teddy Bear Parachute drops. At the base of the Tower, tickets were sold, and bears were harnessed for the thrill of their choice. Baskets of nervous bears were hoisted up the outside of the tower by bellringers (and an adrenalin seeking non-ringer dressed in a bear costume) and were then launched into and across the churchyard from the tower parapet. Small children ran about screaming with delight, as their bears gracefully descended. The bear parachutes and harnesses worked beautifully, and the zipwire even supported the weight of ‘Big Richard’ Bear who is over 5 feet tall

No bears were injured in the process, and the rescue team were only needed twice (to retrieve a bear from the south aisle roof, and a stuffed giraffe from a conifer).

A hilarious time was had by all, and we built up priceless good relationships in the village.

As an outcome of the festival, the Tower Captain of St Michael’s now has in her possession a number of beautifully made bear parachutes, harnesses, zipwire carabiners, ropes, and a surplus bear costume. So, if you are planning an event for Bell Restoration, do feel free to get in touch, and stage a ‘bear-themed’ festival of your own!

MB