Queen Elizabeth's favourite bear is taking pride of place in Ayton.
Chris Bailey is a member of The jubilee committee of East and West Ayton.
She revealed that a wooden statue of Paddington- sculpted by Karl Barker- lived with her while its home was being decided:
The statue was unveiled on Saturday at Castlegate, on the Green.
The money has been raised by the villages' annual scarecrow-making competition.
Chris says it's been a long process:
Here are some words from the bear himself:
'Long before my fellow associates were presented to the nation, I stood in the carport of Chris and Pete Bailey waiting for my forever home.
I was carved by an extremely talented man called Karl Barker, he found the best wood that would withstand all weather a red wood(Sequoioideae). I am natural in colour and will blend in with any background and surroundings.
The jubilee committee of East and West Ayton arranged a fantastic scarecrow trail, raising money for the village and putting smiles on everyone’s faces.
For me it was a year of sadness and joy, my very special friend who I loved taking afternoon tea with(she also loved marmalade sandwiches) sadly died.
Luckily for me the Queen had invited me to her Jubilee celebration tea, it was absolutely delicious, and do you know if that very nice camera man hadn’t been there then I’m sure you all would have thought I was making it up, after all who would have thought that me an ordinary little bear could be friends with the Queen of England. I hope I have been some comfort to her son Charles and his family and also the whole nation. I am very proud to have been chosen to represent the king on his coronation and am looking forward to my new home.
However for over a year my friends have had to battle as to where I can stand. The highways have not been helpful at all, each ideal place where you could all have seen me was refused ,they said I would be a distraction, I don’t understand when sheep, goats, advertising signs and even dinosaurs are clearly visible and in my opinion much more distracting.
So my new home is up a side road away from the centre of the village, maybe the highways could have a special sign made, to show people where I am. I hope everyone in the village will look after me, it maybe a little lonely up there, but I think my neighbours will look out for me. I will be there rain or shine so come and visit and have your photo with me and share it with your friends, you never Know the king might get to see it.'
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