THEY have become the focal point of an East Yorkshire village and now their future looks secure. For almost five decades, two teddy bears have stood in the window of the Wynsley Haven bungalow in Beverley Road, Leven.
When previous owners Pat and Geoff Pashby put their home up for sale, there was a worry the new owner would not carry on the tradition of keeping the teddies on display.
But when Helen Altass and her husband Tony moved into the bungalow recently, they decided to keep the teddy bears exactly as they were.
Mrs Altass, 49, said: "Everyone knows Wynsley Haven as the Teddy Bear House.
"I think if we took the teddy bears away, people would ask why and they wouldn't be too happy."
Mrs Altass has also introduced a new addition to the teddy bear family.
"My mum bought a new teddy bear to join the two already there and knitted it a jumper," she said.
"My husband thinks I am a bit crazy, but I have also named the three teddies Wynsley, Haven and Leven."
The first owner of the house, known only as Mr Stevenson, is believed to have placed his children's teddies so they were looking out of the landing window of Wynsley Haven.
The Pashbys kept up the tradition when they moved to the property 26 years ago.
The couple, who decided to move to a smaller house in the village, kept a scrapbook of letters and cards sent to the bears by their fans.
The Altass family were looking to move from their home in Leconfield to Leven when they first saw Wynsley Haven was on the market.
Mrs Altass said: "I had seen the house but had no idea why it was called the Teddy Bear House.
"We made an arrangement to come and view it and the owner, Pat, told us all about the teddy bears and how they had become famous in Leven.
"When I got home I googled it and, sure enough, news articles about the teddy bears came up.
"As we got to know Geoff and Pat, she showed us her scrapbook with all the news cuttings about the bears and told us all about their history."
Mrs Altass has since received letters and Christmas cards simply addressed to the Teddy Bear House, which have managed to reach her.
She said: "When you ask people if they know where Wynsley Haven is, most haven't got a clue, but as soon as you say the Teddy Bear House, straight away they know where you mean.
"I feel privileged in a way to be carrying on this tradition."
Charity craft dayHELEN Altass is hoping to arrange a special fundraising event for Help for Heroes in the spring with the Wynsley Haven teddy bears.
She said: "We are hoping to arrange a teddy bear craft day to raise money for Help for Heroes as we come from a military background.
"My mum has been collecting lots of teddy bears for the event and hopefully we will be able to hold it in the village hall.
"We are hoping to have it in the spring."
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