The Downing Street teddy bears: the loan that was rejected, then granted by Mrs T
MRS THATCHER’S teddy bears Humphrey and Mrs Teddy received so many requests to be lent out to public events that Downing Street had to turn down invitations on their behalf.
Documents show how a series of let- ters “inviting” the bears were rejected, but Mrs Thatcher apparently intervened on occasion.
Gyles Brandreth, the founder of The Teddy Bear Museum in Stratfordupon-avon, wrote to her in 1988.
“If you have a teddy bear you felt able to loan to The Teddy Bear Museum, you could rest assured that he would be beautifully cared for, properly acknowledged, fully insured and obviously could be returned to you at a moment’s notice,” he wrote.
A draft reply from the Political Office, on Downing Street-headed said: “Unfortunately, they will not be able to join you as they have other commitments that month.”
However, a handwritten note on the typed letter, possibly from Mrs Thatcher, instructs the author: “Please return this to me.”
The original refusal was apparently overturned and Mrs Thatcher’s teddy was lent to the museum.
Asked about the episode, Brandreth said: “Mrs Thatcher must have intervened because her teddy bear did indeed come to spend a summer holiday with us at our museum.”