Well-travelled but tatty ted Ug needs a hug in his old age
HE’S nearly 100 years old and he’s certainly showing his age but this tatty ted – treasured by one man for his entire life - is in need of a new loving home.
His legs have been mended with socks and he’s missing an ear but his owner thinks he’s extra special. That’s because this well-travelled cuddly toy toured Britain by train in the 1930s.
Ug, the 2ft tall ted named after the noise he used to make (his ug noise is kaputt too!) was won at a fete in 1927 and given to newborn John Boucher, from Water Orton, in
Warwickshire – and stayed with him for life.
The 94-year-old bear is set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, in Etwall, in January with a guide price of £80-£120 because his owner needs to find someone new to care for him.
For now, Ug is in the safe hands of John’s daughter, retired teacher Sue Boucher, 64, from Water Orton. With no children to leave Ug to, she wants to ensure he’s well looked after in the decades to come – and, perhaps, gets to ride on a train again.
She said: “John’s father, my grandfather, Sidney Boucher, worked on the railways. He had various important jobs in the railways, so much so he was kept on civilian duties during the Second World War.
“When my father was small, he liked to take Ug everywhere with him, despite the fact he must have been nearly as big as he was for a while - and that meant lots of train travel. Ug got to go on trips with the family by rail. He went all over the place.
“Dad kept Ug all his life until he passed away at the age of 84 in 2010. In the latter years the bear was tucked away in a wardrobe.
“One of my favourite memories of Ug was taking him into work one day to show some primary school children I used to teach. They were transfixed when I pulled him out of my bag.”
Steve Fulford, toy valuer at Hanson, said: “I hope we can find a new home for Ug. He no longer makes the ‘ug’ noise but when you’re closing in on your first century you can’t expect everything to function perfectly!”
For auction details, email sfulford@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk