Let’s go on a bear hunt!

Fri 3 Apr 2020, 12:52

Bears are not the only show in town! Cats are always stars and want to join the fun. Tiger is bigger but little cat is boss - but best friends forever. Two local lambs (from Tim's shop), the little one riding Donkey - a visitor from Hollywood (Shrek's friend). See them in the window next to Teddy - Park St, opp Shilson Lane.

Wed 1 Apr 2020, 22:11

What an incredible response! Thank you everyone. :-)

Wed 1 Apr 2020, 08:01

Has anyone else woken up to find their bear is behaving foolishly? 

Tue 31 Mar 2020, 23:14

Not sure if Old Bear can match Rebecca's 90 year old but definitely 60+ and having escaped from the attic he's still trying to find his way out of a window down here on Mill Lane!

Tue 31 Mar 2020, 20:23

Thank you so much everyone for getting involved. Please do send pics of bears to maevebradbury@gmail.com to feature on the Facebook Page.

Tue 31 Mar 2020, 17:08

My wheelchair teddy is in the window at 8, Woodfield drive

Tue 31 Mar 2020, 12:25

One 58 year old bear watching out with his much younger lamb friend in a window off Market Street just down the lane that leads to GWP - opposite Upton House (GWP)

Tue 31 Mar 2020, 11:29 (last edited on Tue 31 Mar 2020, 11:29)

Two aged but joyful bears (almost 90 and 60 years old, respectively) look out from Spelsbury Villas and send fraternal greetings!

Tue 31 Mar 2020, 11:28 (last edited on Tue 31 Mar 2020, 11:28)

On Thames Street, old Welsh Pandy is waving her flag from upstairs to say hello and hope you are well.  Her friends, Monkey and Fraser Bear say hi, too.

Tue 31 Mar 2020, 10:50

News for any bear-hunters who are taking their daily exercise along Bayliss Yard - a retired English Heritage custodian bear has taken over as look-out....

Mon 30 Mar 2020, 16:08 (last edited on Tue 31 Mar 2020, 23:06)

Tiny bear with big red tie, now riding a deer in top window in Park Street opp. Shilson Lane. Look up high! MiL's favourite bear and she'd have loved the bear hunt!

Mon 30 Mar 2020, 11:25

Rusty and Bulbasaur are high up at the bottom of Dyers Hill - not too easy to see as they're a little way back from the road!

Mon 30 Mar 2020, 11:16

There's a Woolly Mammoth at 3 Dyers Hill (unless the large grey cat pretending to be a Lynx has knocked it down).

Sun 29 Mar 2020, 17:33

There's a very, very tiny bear sitting in the top window of middle bungalow along the footpath going down towards the scout hut along the side of the playing field. Can you spot him?  

Sun 29 Mar 2020, 13:20

In Kerby Cottage Sheep Street you need to look high 

There’s a little bear up there who’d like to fly. 

Sat 28 Mar 2020, 19:00

A small bear who is found of chocolate can be found in the front window of Lawn Cottage on Dyers Hill.    Sarah Sulik 

Fri 27 Mar 2020, 21:33

Hello everyone - thank you so much for all the lovely bears. The full list of locations is at https://www.facebook.com/pg/charlburybearhunt/ - there are bears at 47 different places now and very often multiple bears on each street! There's a few nice pics that have been sent in too - do send more. Happy bear hunting! 

Fri 27 Mar 2020, 15:30

My ancient doggie, Tinker, is in the window at No 20 The Playing Close. Very old, he was evacuated to Gourock in Scotland during the last War and came back home with me in 1945.

Fri 27 Mar 2020, 12:30

My ancient Teddy is now at the upstairs window of 6 Tanners Court. Children may like to know that he has hand-knitted knickers. And his nose was chewed by an over friendly poodle in about 1965.

Fri 27 Mar 2020, 12:29

I've been passed a message by post to say that Harry (formerly of Acorn’s Children’s Hospice) is looking forward to meeting children as they pass by 7 Market Street. He is Harry the one-eyed hand-washing bear and has so far caused amusement to passing commuters!

Fri 27 Mar 2020, 12:14

The three bears are eating their porridge in the window of the deli

Fri 27 Mar 2020, 11:34

White Ted is watching over Narrow Lane and Benjamin Bunny and Rupert Bear are keeping an eye on the grass patch at the back of the house.

Fri 27 Mar 2020, 09:28

Our dog has found a furry friend self-isolating in the fields beyond Centenary Wood .. some sort of a gerbil finger-puppet (I've put a picture in the Adverts section of this website).  He's been quarantined and now wants to go home.  Contact me on 07555 608780.

Thu 26 Mar 2020, 21:12

I've heard that the big Pre-School  rhyming bear has climbed down off his shelf to look out of the cloakroom window! "Please say hi if you are passing by."

Thu 26 Mar 2020, 21:05

There are now some Australian animals in the window of Orchard Piece, at the top of Crawborough - they may even have joined in with the NHS clapping, too. 

Thu 26 Mar 2020, 21:00

Thanks so much everyone - fantastic response! 

Thu 26 Mar 2020, 19:33

Teddy Edward who survived World War 2 is in the window at Melody House, Hixet Wood, along with some of his new friends in the other windows!!

Thu 26 Mar 2020, 16:14

The boys just saw 13 bears on Ticknell Piece Road and 9 rainbows. Thank you everyone. 

Thu 26 Mar 2020, 15:56

Staff at the primary school have put Emily Bear in a window at school. See if you can spot her and her rainbow scarf! 🌈 

Thu 26 Mar 2020, 15:12

If any bear-hunters are passing along Bayliss Yard they may spot a young European bear (at least, he thinks he's a bear) looking out for them.  He comes from Flanders, and I think he speaks Dutch as well as English!

Wed 25 Mar 2020, 20:34

Maria has just dusted down her genuine 1964 Paddington Bear complete with wellington boots, but as few people ever come up the Spelsbury Road, there's little point in putting him in a window so we'll leave him in charge of our electric car behind the Coop for a couple of hours tomorrow!

Wed 25 Mar 2020, 20:12

Ginger Hare and his pals, Grommit and Nootka, the Sea Otter are looking out of their window ready to say hello to you from the top of the hill at 14 Sandford Rise!

Wed 25 Mar 2020, 18:38

At 39 Woodfield Drive we have a small Yosemite brown bear called Yoss, a dog with a pilot jacket called Des, a Grommit, a bunny called Roo and a lamb named Ewey. They are all enjoying being together and watching out for you going past.`

Wed 25 Mar 2020, 11:01

There’s a big brown bear with a smart bow tie, sitting around in the alley opposite Rachel’s hairdresser on Market Street.

Tue 24 Mar 2020, 19:27

Hi everyone - Wow! This is amazing - thanks so much. I've loved hearing the kids coming up Hundley Way today and spotting the bears in the window - really cheered me up! We've now got bears in 33 locations and most roads have more than one bear. You can check out the full list at  https://www.facebook.com/pg/charlburybearhunt/  and if anyone wants to take a photo of their bears sitting in the window, it would be great to add them to the FB page. You can email them to maevebradbury@gmail.com or send via FB. Huge thanks to Helen for suggesting the idea in the first place. Happy Bear Hunting!

Tue 24 Mar 2020, 19:00 (last edited on Wed 25 Mar 2020, 19:59)

Bear and a musical accordion-playing Swiss Marmot in Wychwood Paddocks as well as a Steinbock!

Tue 24 Mar 2020, 17:49

A little 'I Love You' bear joining the crowd in our porch in Woodfield Drive.

Tue 24 Mar 2020, 16:30

We also have bears out in the wilds of Walcot

Tue 24 Mar 2020, 15:49 (last edited on Tue 24 Mar 2020, 15:50)

There is a fine bunch ,who have appeared now in Thames Street. Some are vulnerable adults and are obviously  self isolating ,but there is also a snow bear ,which I trust is not a warning  of a change in the lovely weather.

Tue 24 Mar 2020, 13:59

Two new bears spotted at 4 Quarry Lane... give them a wave!

Tue 24 Mar 2020, 10:53

I’m so sorry! I have no bears in the house - they’ve all grown up and set up in houses of their own! 
However, I am intending to make a nice Easter wreath for my front door  in Dyers Hill. The wreaths on the doors at Christmas time are so pretty and varied. Could we do this? With or without the help of children. 

Tue 24 Mar 2020, 10:17

Bear, piglet and panda have tottered up into our windows at Gothic House, Church Street, looking out for children to waive to.

Tue 24 Mar 2020, 07:53

I've been unwell for the last few days and it has made me well up checking back in here and seeing this amazing response. Thank you everyone, for running with this idea and showing what a wonderful, caring, creative community we are. 

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 22:09

They’ll be a beer in our window, last house, Ticknell Lane (the bridleway on the other side of the Slade to the school). See if you can spot it. 

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 22:04

I'm sure I've seen one peeking out of an upstairs window near the alley on Wychwood Paddocks

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 21:11 (last edited on Tue 24 Mar 2020, 14:03)

Evacuation Bear 1939 has gone to bed for a good nights sleep. He is elderly and will reappear tomorrow. Back up at the window waving to everyone returning from Witney

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 20:25

Teddy and Little Ted have made an appearance at 15 Ditchley Road!

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 19:50

A small golden bear, in his best red jumper, is looking out for you

from the kitchen window at 134 Ticknell Piece Road. 

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 18:13

Eagle eyed bear spotters at Ticknell recreation ground might be able to spot the bear in our back window.  We also have a number of Miffy rabbits in the front but we don't have many people passing on that side. 

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 15:51

Thanks so much everyone for the amazing response! The FB page has a current list of Top Secret Charlbury Bear Locations - which is updated daily.

  https://www.facebook.com/pg/charlburybearhunt/

So many bears have 'signed up' through here and via FB. Keep them coming! 

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 15:26

And at 7 Lees Heights too.

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 15:16

two bears have taken a widow seat at 1 Lees Heights

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 15:06 (last edited on Mon 23 Mar 2020, 15:11)

Keep your eyes skinned when approaching Charlbury (Baywell Cottage on Fawler Road) as my Evacuation Teddy circa 1939 and UN Peacekeeping Teddy are both looking out for you.

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 15:03

Family of bears now looking out onto playing fields in Wychwood Paddocks, currently sunbathing and catching the rays!

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 13:43

There is now a bear looking out of one of the church windows, one in the kitchen window of the Vicarage and a few at 14 Ticknell Piece Road. 

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 13:21

Spot the kangaroo on Market Street :-) 

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 13:10

Bears, one of them from darkest Peru, looking forward to making new friends on Park St. 

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 13:09

At 16 Ticknell Piece Road there are 2 bears who happen to be members of the Cork Rebels hurling team--but watch out for the gorilla in the upstairs window!

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 12:29

My daughter and grandchildren have all done rainbows in Southampton.  One of the cuddly toys will be in window at 3 Wychwood Close.  Stay safe everyone. Xx😘

Mon 23 Mar 2020, 11:31

On Market Street, Noah's Ark has two bears in the window (of course).

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 21:52

Multiple foxes, moose, beaver and cats upstairs Dyers Hill

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 21:51

Hector in position on Thames Street!

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 20:04

Aqua bear now in place, Lees Heights

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 20:03

Another bear via FB page on Hughes Close

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 19:45

Big Ted is checking out Church Lane!

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 19:11

https://www.facebook.com/pg/charlburybearhunt/

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 19:02

My bear is rather too old (wartime bear) but my children have housed theirs with me so one is in the window in Enstone Road. Look up---many bushes would hide him otherwise. 

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 18:56

To help you forget about your worries and your woes, we have the bear necessities in the window of No.8 Park Street. We and our cats shall miss our young chums passing on the way to Pre-school.  One bear used to travel with our daughters on school trips. Can you spot which one?

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 18:13

Florence the bear, wearing her favourite hat, is now installed in our window at Rochester Place. 

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 18:05

Three bears now looking out of our windows - two watching out into Shilson Lane and one keeping an eye on Priory Lane.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 17:49

Richard - that's great - I'll add the map to the FB page. Another bear has come in via FB at Lees Heights. He's Welsh.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 17:25 (last edited on Sun 22 Mar 2020, 19:18)

Caution about 10, Park St. We can't guarantee that our dogs will let our teddies stay in the window. Freddy and Oscar both think the window's their territory and may well throw Flookey and Teddy Teddy back where they think they belong.

The reason the bears look a bit aged is - well, they're getting on a bit. Both a few years older than Paddington Bear, and if they were human they'd be getting formally advised to be particularly stringent in social distancing. 

Whether a child gets more points for spotting bears, dogs or an inter-species battle we leave to its minders.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 17:23

Not everyone will know where all the streets are (particularly families new to Charlbury) so here’s a PDF map you can print out and take with you: http://www.charlbury.info/documents/bear_map.pdf

I’ll do a revised version later or tomorrow with a box listing some of the streets where the bears can be found, so keep them coming!

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 17:19

Patrick Bear now has Fred the dog to keep him company. They’ll be very pleased to see Charlbury children from a safe distance. 

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 16:48

Helen, you are so right. I have already added a note to the facebook page to that effect. What a lovely lot of bears we re getting! Thanks everyone. I'll keep updating the page. x

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 16:44 (last edited on Sun 22 Mar 2020, 16:45)

UPDATE: This goes without saying, but if you are out, go only with your own kids and keep a big distance between you and anyone else. Charlbury is not a crowded place, so keep a distance of 5 metres or more, because we can. Also, don't let children get near the windows or touch them.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 16:40 (last edited on Sun 22 Mar 2020, 16:41)

Excellent. My old friend Flookey and Mike's old teddy have been waiting in a cupboard for years for an opportunity to come out and cheer people up in Park St

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 16:39

My little bear is self isolating but his friends the Dulux dog, Mr spaniel and piggy are there to keep him company. So there's a riot at 7, Sandford Rise.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 16:08

Wonderful idea! About to raid the grandchildren's toy cupboard. The Old Barn, Hundley Way.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 16:03

Hi everyone - this is great. Thanks for such a brilliant idea Helen. I've now set up the Charlbury Bear Hunt facebook page. I've added a quick list of locations of bears- just general street names - to help the grown-ups keep an eye out. I can update the list of bear locations as we go along and more people join in. What fun!! You can find the page on Facebook @charlburybearhunt

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 15:59

Sadly no bears but sheep and a lamb at 19 Ticknell Piece Rd.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 15:17

There will be a little toy dog in the window at Twissell Cottage on Pooles Lane

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 14:59

Well guess what?! Down here on Mill Lane, 'Old Bear' has just tumbled down from the attic and is trying to escape out of a window!  Extra points if they can spot his friends the Green Man, the Sun and the Lion!

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 14:51

I have 2 very small bears so I've put them with a large orange octopus to make them easier to spot! Quarry Edge on the Enstone Road, just along from Hundley Way...... Happy Hunting :-)

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 13:53

Paddington Bear at Wellington Cottages!

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 13:39

We will put Bear at 12 the Slade 

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 13:32

Helen Holwill - have sent you a message via Charlbury Info mail.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 13:13

Have set up FB page - will post the details here when I've added photos. 

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 13:02

Love this idea! There's a few old friends now looking out of the window of Hundley Cottage down the end of Hundley Way. Window looks out onto the lane, just at child height ... have added a note: "Are you going on a Bear Hunt? #spotthebear #charlburybearhunt" Maybe children could upload photos of bear spots around Charlbury? I'll start a FB page for it if anyone thinks it's a good idea.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 12:39

A similar thing is the ‘Chase the Rainbow’ project, paint, colour, create a rainbow for your window, a happy sign and similarly something for kids to spot when out and about. Ours is up. 

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 12:36

Lovely idea. Working on it!

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 12:16 (last edited on Sun 22 Mar 2020, 14:31)

Well done, everyone. I'd better get my own up then! (71 The Green) Please be as inventive and creative as possible. :-) If anyone is in a very public place, perhaps the bear could be holding a sign encouraging others to do the same? It would also be fun for kids to regularly update their own 'displays', and other soft toys, not just bears, could be used. And maybe teens could then use it as an opportunity to do a photography project on them.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 12:03

Brilliant idea. My as-old-as-me bear is now in the window (Market Street).

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 11:28 (last edited on Sun 22 Mar 2020, 12:31)

I live in Church Street.  As it happens my teddy bear already lives permanently in the window but he usually faces into the room.   Pepper the dog always looks out into the street along with a small zebra. Teddy, with just the one leg, is now looking out as requested !

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 11:27 (last edited on Sun 22 Mar 2020, 12:20)

Done!  Bear is now waiting to be spotted. His name is Patrick Bear. Was my now adult daughter's. Wearing a hand knitted jumper. Marlborough Place.

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 09:44

Great idea! 

Sun 22 Mar 2020, 07:36

I’ve just seen this idea on social media. Let’s all put a teddy bear in our front window, so that children can go on ‘bear spotting’ walks. If you can add a prop or a little humour (maybe even a multiple bear scene?) all the better. It will also help to give kids (and us!) positive memories of this time when they look back in years to come. We could even add fairy lights for magical night time versions. Who is up for this?