Please meet Doris, a Lovely Chad Valley Chiltern Hygenic Teddy Bear

Please meet Doris, a lovely Teddy bear made by Chad Valley Chiltern Hygenic Toy Company in England.  She has a green side label which was used for only a short time when Chad Valley acquired Chiltern in 1967.   Her mohair is thick and luxurious, so she was well cared for.   She is quite hard stuffed and has a nonworking squeaker, but wears her original orange ribbon.   She is about 14 inches tall and in excellent condition.

Doris is very pleased she was so treasured.   She grew up in a home on the outskirts of Birmingham where there was no central heating, so she could often be found in the kitchen near the old, hot Aga, while the children were doing their homework around the table.   She remembers many evenings when a cold wind was howling outside, but inside, the home was warm and cozy.   She loved the feeling of her toes being so warm and toasty.   She didn't like to put  her delicate paws on the cold stone floor, so she was carefully transported between rooms.

She was crafted in a factory in the West Midlands by the largest toy manufacturer in England at the time, and Doris wouldn't want to live anywhere else.   She has walked the Malvern Hills many times, with its breathtaking views over the Severn Valley.   Well, okay, she hasn't really WALKED, more like tagged along with friends who were kind enough to carry her up to the summit, but still, she feels a sense of accomplishment every time she reaches the top.   And who could blame her for wanting to cuddle up with a few companions in a fine local pub afterwards?  She loves being the center of attention. 

When summer came around, Doris would often travel to the southwest, staying in caravan parks on the Jurassic coast.   She was careful to avoid the direct sunlight and would wear a big floppy hat.   She wouldn't want to get sunburned, but she did so enjoy the sunshine.   Even when she stopped for an ice cream cornet (with a flake, of course) at her favorite treat shop, she was careful not to drip anything on her fur.

Doris always made sure to keep herself very clean, since too much dust can wreak havoc to a Teddy bear's coat.   One very light brushing a week and an occasional spritz with water has kept her mohair in beautiful shape.   She's seen plenty of bears from her generation  look ragged with age, but she wisely prefers to take care of herself.   You'll find be no wear on Doris' paws, and all her seams are pristine.  She's a very health-conscious bear.  Still, there have been a few times when she wished she threw caution to the wind and indulged in oat cakes slathered in honey or loads of strawberry jam on toast.

Ah, well, to each its own, she supposes.   Now that she's an older bear, she tries not to be too judgmental.   When she spies young bruins lying in the sun at the beach on their phones with ear buds in the furry ears listening to podcasts (whatever they are), she just smiles and waves.   New Teddy bears are just not what they used to be, but that's perfectly okay.

Before she climbs into her bed at night, if there's a little chill in the air in the north of England, Doris heats up the water on her old Aga and fills her little hot water bottle.   She often thinks about past times while she's settling in, getting comfy under her wool blanket.   She likes those toes nice and toasty.