{The statue has two integral texts:
On a label stuck to the suitcase:}
Wanted on voyage.
{and written on a label attached to Paddington’s neck:}
Please look after this bear. Thank you
{Plaque on the top of the plinth:}
Mr and Mrs Brown first met Paddington on a railway platform. In fact, that was how he came to have such an unusual name for a bear, for Paddington was the name of the station.
From “A Bear Called Paddington” by Michael Bond.
So began Paddington Bear’s long association with this station.
Since arriving at Paddington Station from Peru this bear's journeys have not ceased. He's been moved around the station a few times and for a spell was at the bottom of the main escalators. October 2022: he was returned to platform 1 and here we photographed him again.
However in that last move he lost a plaque which used to be on the front of the plinth: "This statue was designed by Marcus Cornish and is based on the illustrations of Paddington Bear by Peggy Fortnum. It acknowledges the enormous pleasure which Michael Bond’s creation has given to millions of children and adults throughout the world since his first book was published in 1958."
Don't let the scene behind Paddington confuse you as to the location - that's a painting.
Site: Paddington Bear and Windrush (3 memorials)
W2, Paddington Station, Platform 1
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