Paddington Visits statue warmly welcomed to Little Dockray, Penrith

Paddington received a warm welcome to Little Dockray, Penrith yesterday morning, October 10 by Stainton School who were all delighted to take part in the official launch of the national Paddington Visits trail - singing the 'Marmalade song' to welcome the famous bear to town.

Stainton School pupils gather round Paddington. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith/PinPep)

The statue which is one of 20 that have been installed on benches stretching from John O’Groats to Land's End, with Penrith being the only place in Cumbria to host a statue.

Paddington sitting proudly in Penrith (Image: Supplied)

Elizabeth Jane Hasell-McCosh, the founder of the Dalemain World Marmalade Awards and Festival, introduced the school children and said a few words before the bear was unveiled.

Paddington Visits have launched ahead of the bear’s latest cinematic outing, Paddington in Peru, in UK and Ireland cinemas November 8.

Paddington Visits launches in Penrith ahead of the beloved bear’s return to the big screen. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith/PinPep) This new adventure will see Paddington return home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears.

With the Brown family and Mrs Bird in tow, a 'thrilling adventure' ensues when a mysterious disappearance plunges them into an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Selfie time with the famous bear. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith/PinPep)

Darren Broad, chair of Penrith BID, said: “We are delighted that Penrith has been chosen to be one of only 23 locations across the UK for a Paddington Statue as part of the Paddington Visits trail ahead of the release of Paddington in Peru in cinemas later this year.

"We hope that visitors and residents alike will delight in finding him in Little Dockray and will enjoy taking a moment a moment to sit beside him, perhaps even take a photograph or two.”

School children enjoying the much loved bear. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith/PinPep) Speaking when it was announced that the statue was coming to Penrith, actor Hugh Bonneville, who plays Mr Brown in the film, said: “I am thrilled to reveal we are going to be unveiling a number of benches across the UK, all featuring a statue of our beloved bear.

"Ahead of the new film, fans, families and friends can sit down and have a chat with the marmalade loving bear, so watch this space for more information about Paddington… coming to a bench near you.”

Eden police officers pose with the special bear And even the police turned out to welcome the much loved bear to town, in a social media post Eden police, said: "It was a pleasure for Eden Neighbourhood Police Team to attend the event unveiling Paddington Bear statue in Penrith. Thank you to everyone who engaged with us."