SPOTLIGHT ON
mid the sea of all-singing, all-dancing toys this Christmas, there is one gift that has remained unchanged for decades. Cuddly, charming and oh-so British, the traditional teddy bear has been a feature of nurseries and bedrooms for generations, with a timeless appeal that bridges childhood and nostalgia. Yet despite the flurry of cuddly toys that adorn shelves at this time of year, there is only one remaining teddy bear factory in the UK. Merrythought was established in Ironbridge, Shropshire, in 1930, and grew into a thriving business specialising in beautiful handmade teddies. But in the 1970s fortunes changed, when competition from China and the Far East saw the soft toy market flooded with cheap imports. Other traditional British toy makers folded, but Merrythought fought to stay afloat by refocusing solely on high-end products, made from the finest materials. Yet the factory faced further uncertainty in 2011, following the sudden death of Oliver Holmes – the third generation of the family to run the business. Fortunately, his daughters stepped in – almost overnight – to take the helm. Today the company is run by Sarah and Hannah Holmes. Sarah was living in London when her father passed away, but gave up a career in marketing to step in, as there was literally no one else to open the factory gates. She admits it was a baptism of fire and there have been some challenging times. But it’s a testament to the sisters that Merrythought is once again a unique and thriving business. Hannah is currently on maternity leave, having recently given birth to her first child, Oscar. And Sarah and Hannah’s younger sister, Sophie, helps out with the social media. Sarah attributes Merrythought’s success and survival to the fact the company has never compromised on quality. The teddy-making process has remained almost unchanged for 87 years.
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EACH ICONIC BEAR IS HANDMADE FROM SCRATCH, USING NATURAL MOHAIR OR ALPACA PLUSH Each iconic bear is handmade from scratch, using natural mohair (from the Angora goat) or sometimes alpaca plush, too. First, the pieces are cut out, before being sewn together inside out. Next the eyes are added, and the limbs stuffed and jointed. The limbs are then attached to the body, which is stuffed and sewn up at the back. It’s a delicate, labourintensive process. Each stage is carried out by a highly-skilled specialist and there is a sense of magic as each creation takes shape, especially during the festive build up. “No two teddy bears are identical,” says Sarah. “The nose and the smile are handembroidered on at the end, and it’s this that really brings the bear to life. He is then brushed, combed and trimmed, before a ribbon or accessory is added to finish.” All this doesn’t come cheap. Prices start
from around £60 for a classic 10-inch bear, rising into the hundreds, even thousands, for a giant display teddy. But these bears are built to last – a toy and heirloom combined. “We appreciate a Merrythought bear is an investment,” says Sarah. “But we think they are rather special. They have a place in both childhood and English heritage.” Sarah also believes parents are increasingly turning away from mass-produced toys in search of those from a more upstanding background, offering substance and longevity. Merrythought branded bears are sold in Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and other high-end stores, and the company supplies bespoke bears for luxury brands like the The Dorchester, too. Sarah says they were also thrilled to be asked to make the official teddy bear for the 2012 London Olympic Games.