52 Ancestors 52 Weeks: Week 46. Birthdays

 BIRTHDAYS

As a family we are not big on birthdays, we give cards and presents but we do not really go in for parties. Having said that I have spent some of my birthdays in far flung lands, India, Egypt and Argentina just being a few. 

So what can I write about for this weeks theme?

My initial response to the title was remembering Victoria Wood ( a UK comedienne) talking about  children's parties and 'potted meat sandwiches'! My own memories are of jelly and blancmanche and games such as pass the parcel, musical chairs and pin the tale on the donkey.

So this week after a struggle as what to write, I thought I would introduce you all to George.

George was gifted to me on my 2nd birthday by my paternal Grandfather. He may be a little faded now but I remember opening the box he arrived in, to see him lying within tissue paper, snow white, blue eyed and red paws with a large blue satin ribbon.

Over the years he has been well loved, as a child I used him to rest my head rather than a pillow. He has been treated rather brutally and has experienced both a twin tub and automatic washing machine over the years. His original stuffing perished and over the years he has been refilled with cut up stockings and tights, but I am pleased to say that he is at present filled with kapok.

I believe George to be a Wendy Boston bear, teddybears that were designed and made in Wales from around 1947-1968, when they were taken over by Denys Fisher Toys.

So what has a soft toy to do with family history? My response would be, they hold specific personal memories but also remind us of those who gifted them in the first place.

So as I reach my 60th year, George is a reminder of my Grandad Paul, but I also have other childhood toys to remind me of other members of the family or family friends.

BIRTHDAY FACT/COINCIDENCE 1.

My Paternal Grandfather was born on 25th June, my Paternal Grandmother, 29th June and my Dad, 30th June.

Grey Teddy was a birth gift to me by my Mum's Uncle Stan.

Stanley John George Clutterbuck 1913-1963. 

Stan worked in a bicycle and toy shop. He visited Mum shortly after my birth with Grey Teddy. He said that the bear originally had a blue ribbon, but he had gone out and bought pink ribbon and around it's neck, because I was 'a young maid.'

Stan suffered from asthma and a heart condition and very sadly died alone in a shop doorway in Whitton after becoming unwell, a year after I was born.

Although Grey Teddy still has his original straw stuffing, he has always sufferred from a loose head, which has been reattached many times. Perhaps he would be an ideal candidate for the Teddy Bear ladies on The Repair Shop.

BIRTHDAY COINCIDENCE/FACT 2

After discovering my Mum's birth mother, I also discovered that she was born on the same date as her maternal birth Grandmother.

And finally:-

BIRTHDAY COINCIDENCE/FACT 3

My ex-husband and myself shared the same birthday.