Barbara Shares Memories of her 89-Year-Old Teddy Bear in Honour of Hug a Bear Day
In honour of ‘Hug a Bear Day’, 91-year-old Barbara Holmes from Greenacres care home in Meltham is sharing the story of the teddy bear she’s had for 89 years.
When Barbara was two years old in 1932, she excitedly woke up on Christmas Day to find her new teddy bear under the tree, which she named ‘Dinky’. Barbara said,
‘I fell in love with Dinky straight away, we didn’t get many gifts, so it was a very special moment for me.’
From that moment on, Barbara and Dinky were inseparable. Barbara continued, ‘When I was little and went on holiday with my parents, we had to drive through the Mersey Tunnel, and I was so scared.
‘My parents would tell me to cuddle Dinky and he would look after me, and he did! I hope to pass Dinky on to my daughter to look after one day.’
In 1936, Barbara’s mum made Dinky his trousers, which Dinky wore for the day of King George V’s funeral.
Barbara kept Dinky by her side through the years, and in March 2023, the pair moved to Greenacres. Verity Taylor, the Home Manager at Greenacres, said,
‘It was so heartwarming to hear Barbara tell us all about Dinky for ‘Hug a Bear Day’ – they’re both wonderful residents to have living with us!
‘Who knows, Dinky may even get a new friend this Christmas…’
Residents and staff members at Greenacres are inviting their local community to their Christmas Fair on Saturday 9th December. From 14:00 until 16:30, all are welcome to enjoy live music, craft and gift stalls, festive refreshments, and a performance from Meltham Mills Brass Band.
The Christmas Fair will be held at Greenacres care home, Huddersfield Road, Meltham, Holmfirth, HD9 4AG.
To find out more, please call Greenacres on call 01484 855 390, email greenacres@idealcarehomes.co.uk or visit idealcarehomes.co.uk.
Greenacres is a purpose-built luxury residential and dementia care home operated by Ideal Carehomes. With 64 ensuite bedrooms, Greenacres provides person-centred care and varied activities programme. Greenacres is proud to be rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.