There was a bear hunt quiz to find tiny bears hiding throughout the model town, a painting competition, and storytelling by Marilyn Barber the news editor of Dorset View and Viewpoint magazines reading her Tales of Wimborne Bears that she’d written 20 years ago.

Over 30 children and their parents crowded into a marquee to listen to the stories.

Spellbound the children and adults sat with their own bears to hear the tales and Marilyn Barber surprised everyone towards the end by producing her own rather well-loved Sooty from her handbag along with Dudley the Wimborne Bears’ mayor wearing his chain of office to hear the grand finalé. The story brought together the Wareham Bears, who have recently been re-homed at the model town, and the Wimborne Bears who were ready for a fight with tennis rackets and other implements to ensure they weren’t made homeless. It was no teddy bears’ picnic, but there was a happy ending.

Some adults also brought along their cuddly toys. Elizabeth’s treasured Ted and Old Ted sat comfortably in a wicker basket – the bears’ combined age was 120 years. And Miranda shared her seat with her grand old teddy bear, Bernard. Being a lover of bears, she also wrote a bear poem, which Marilyn read to the audience.

Marketing manager of Wimborne Model Town, Greg Hoar, said it had been busy all day with families turning up to take part in the bear hunt quiz and many gathering for the storytelling. There was also musical entertainment provided by the Dorset Youth Marching Band. Free entry for children was sponsored by Wimborne Town Council.