Birchington’s ‘bear lady’ has excelled herself this year with a fabulous teddy bear and friends advent calendar outside her Queen’s Avenue home.
Nan-of-three Angela Wright and husband Steve built the calendar using fruit crates from Monty’s grocers decorated with tinsel, holly and lights and then, inside, each has a scene created.
The brilliant scenarios include bears getting the Christmas tree from their ‘attic’ complete with stairs made by Steve; a Christmas tree made from a book; Santa, Rudolph and a Snowman singing Christmas songs; teddies pulling a cracker and a hilarious Kevin the carrot and family crate takeover.
Part-time hairdresser Angela last hit the news when she created humour scenes with her 21 teddy bears outside her home during lockdown.
The scenes, which included bears in trees, snorkelling, in space outfits, celebrating the Summer Solstice, Christmas, and even enjoying a theatre performance, became something of a local attraction.
The Christmas installations have previously consisted of a giant bear, sleigh, reindeer and elf but this year Steve suggested they change things up.
Angela, who is also involved with 1st Birchington Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, said: “ As we were taking the decorations down last year, my husband said he had an idea for next year, an advent calendar.
“I said ‘on my God, how?’ We know Monty’s get these amazing satsumas that come in boxes, so we went and got 24 boxes, Steve made it all and I decorated with tinsel, holly and lights and then every morning I go out and magic up something different.”
Angela was inspired to start the bear fun as a way to stay in touch with her grandson Zach during lockdown, where every morning, she would send him a photo, or facetime, and say ‘look what the bears are doing today.’
Then granddaughter Athena was born in lockdown and now the latest addition, little Constance, can also be part of the fun.
Angela said: “We call her Athena Bear. She has made Christmas pom poms and there’s an elf which does silly things.
“I’m doing it to raise money for the Thanet Sunrise Rotary. Last year I helped collect money with their Santa sleigh and they had a box outside {Angela’s Home}. We said this year ‘let’s go big.’
“We have had a Father Christmas here with the Rotary Club. He came and gave out presents to the children and I was his elf because the elf had gone sick. There was mulled wine and mince pies.
“Kevin and Caroline from the Rotary collect it all and it goes to local charities.
“It makes people smile and that’s what it is all about.”
Haha, love it! I know Angela, a great person.