Edward Bear gears up to mark big milestone

A CHURCH-BASED children’s group which has been providing weekly fun activities to youngsters in the town for 20 years will be celebrating its milestone this year.

But not in the way it had originally been planned.

Edward Bear Praise and

Play has been meeting in the St Oswald’s Church Centre in Ashbourne every week up to the current pandemic, and next month the group of more than 10 volunteers had been hoping to lay on a big lunch to mark its anniversary.

But as the group, which welcomes up to 30 underfives each week, has been forced to move online, a special illustrated book of Edward Bear stories has been produced, to ensure the birthday celebrations can still be marked in some way.

Speaking on behalf of the Edward Bear team, Peter Walker said: “For 20 years Edward Bear Praise and play has met in the Church

Centre of St Oswald’s Church here in Ashbourne.

“Before Covid-19, we planned to have a Big Edward Bear Lunch in the hall to celebrate all the fun we have shared together.

“How we could have welcomed everyone would have been the best of challenges.

“Over 20 years there cannot be many families in this town who have not come along at some time to join us for a bacon sandwich.

“Everyone in the team really missed these events, and wanted somehow to stay in touch with parents, and so Lindsay Walker decided to take Edward Bear into the world of social media – Facebook and Youtube.

“Soon we were telling everyone about the adventures of Edward

Bear through a series of 10 stories.

“The book describes how we run Edward Bear and Lindsay talks about the value of Edward Bear is central within Christian values and everyday life.

“The Adventures of Edward Bear has now been printed, and we want to use the publication as a celebration.”

The books, which are illustrated by local mum Lucy Burlinson, are available for £5 per copy from the St Oswald’s church office, off School Lane and extracts from the stories will be on display in the church during November.