Paddington, Aunt Lucy and the Pick-Me-Up Afternoon Tea

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "Hullo Aunt Lucy." *Doffs hat.*

 

AUNT LUCY: "Hullo Paddington darling."

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "How are you settling in here, Aunt Lucy? I hope you like it here at Daddy's house."

 

AUNT LUCY: "Oh I do, Paddington darling! Everybear is so lovely and welcoming."

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "Especially little Scout, Bogart and Rosie."

 

AUNT LUCY: "Oh yes." *Chuckles happily.* "They are full of youthful exuberance."

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "That's because they love you, Aunt Lucy! They are thrilled to have you as an aunt as well."

 

AUNT LUCY: "Well, I love them too, Paddington darling, and of course, I love you the most."

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "And I love you the most too, Aunt Lucy." *Gives Aunt Lucy a snuffly kiss.*

 

AUNT LUCY: "Thank you, Paddington darling. It is very tiring though. The little ones have so much energy, much more than an old lady bear like me. They are always wanting to play hide-and-seek, or are running around, and Scout likes hearing the story of Little Red Tiding Hood..."

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "Over, and over, and over again?"

 

AUNT LUCY: "Exactly!" *Sighs.*

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "It sounds like you need a little pick-me-up, Aunt Lucy."

 

AUNT LUCY: "Oh that would be wonderful, Paddington darling."

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "Well that is lucky then, because Daddy has just set out a lovely afternoon tea, just for us."

 

AUNT LUCY: "Just for us, Paddington darling? Daddy is such a lovely gentleman, and such a kind and loving Daddy!"

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "He is. Come along Aunt Lucy." *Takes Aunt Lucy's paw and leads her to the terrace.*

 

AUNT LUCY: "Oh Paddington! Look! What a lovely Willow Pattern tea set! It all looks delightful!"

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "And look, Aunt Lucy, Daddy has given us a jar of artisan marmalade each!" *Excited.*

 

AUNT LUCY: "Oh how very thoughtful of Daddy!"

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "Yes, that is just like Daddy: kind and caring!"

 

AUNT LUCY: "And I must confess, I am a little peckish, and thirsty."

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: "Grumbly tummy Aunt Lucy!"

 

AUNT LUCY: "Grumbly tummy Paddington."

 

MOVIE PADDINGTON: and AUNT LUCY: "Grumbly tummies!" *Rubs tummies vigorously.*

 

This beautiful Willow Pattern nursery tea set was made in England by the Shell China Company in the 1920s. It features four cups and saucers as well as a tea pot, coffee pot, milk jug and sugar bowl. Each piece is gilt edged and decorated with the Willow Pattern in blue, just like the life-size equivalent. It has two sister sets: a 1920s Shell China Company nursery rhyme tea set that I was given as a gift some years ago by a close friend who knows I collect nursery ware and children’s tea sets and a faerie tale set from the 1930s Shell China Company faerie tale tea set that I have built up from various sellers over time.

 

Aunt Lucy is the most important member of Paddington's original family. She raised him in Peru and taught him many of the principles he lives by: good manners, gratitude, kindness, and optimism. Paddington often quotes her advice, and in both the books and films he remains devoted to her. In later adaptations she lives at the Home for Retired Bears in Lima.

 

Beautifully handmade by Merrythought in England, Aunt Lucy combines the finest natural materials with four generations of the very best British teddy bear making expertise. Her kind expression and detailed design faithfully capture the gentle spirit of the much-loved film character, bringing comfort, happiness and a little Peruvian sunshine wherever she goes. Crafted from soft silver-tipped mahogany mohair plush and pure wool felt, Aunt Lucy wears a traditional Peruvian-style hat, complete with marmalade-coloured trim and a yellow hibiscus. Her classic gingerbread-coloured wool felt overcoat features pocket and button detailing, while her look is finished with signature gold-rimmed spectacles, a wooden beaded necklace, and a friendly hand-stitched smile.

 

Created by Merrythought as a limited edition of only 1958, she is number 11 in the worldwide release.

 

Beautifully hand-crafted in Merrythought’s historic Ironbridge factory, Paddington combines the finest natural materials with four generations of the very best British teddy bear making expertise. His intricate design and friendly expression accurately and beautifully capture the personality of the movie character. He is made of rich-mahogany woven mohair plush and soft wool felt. Paddington is dressed in a gold-trim pure wool felt hat, along with a replica of his iconic duffle coat, featuring wooden toggle detailing. He is finished with an endearing hand-stitched smile and accompanied by Paddington’s famous ‘Please look after this bear. Thank you.’ luggage tag and ‘Wanted On Voyage’ leather suitcase.

 

Created by Merrythought as a Special Edition before the release of Paddington 3 - Paddington in Peru in cinemas on November the 8th, Paddington - the Movie Edition is individually numbered as part of a limited worldwide release. I am fortunate enough to have number 18.

Done