The unveiling of a commemorative blue plaque took place Saturday at the former Haslemere residence of Michael Bond, the creator of Paddington Bear. Bond occupied the property, known as Fairacre, beginning in 1968 and remained there for approximately a decade, during which time he authored multiple Paddington titles and contributed to scripts for the original television adaptation of the character.
The ceremony occurred with the consent of the residence’s current occupants, Steph and Neil Stephenson. Among those present was Bond’s daughter, Karen Jankel, who presented the homeowners with a significant gift—the original Paddington toy that belonged to her during childhood. According to Haslemere Society chairman Chris Harrison, the event drew approximately double the number of anticipated attendees, with roughly 50 people in total.
Several guests shared personal connections to the household during Bond’s tenure, and the gathering facilitated reconnections among former acquaintances. The previous owners of the property, who had held it before the Stephensons, traveled from Exeter in Devon to participate in the occasion. Harrison noted that the Stephenson family was unaware of their home’s significance until the Haslemere Society contacted them with information about its historical importance.
The successful event has generated discussion regarding a potential Paddington statue in Haslemere, though Harrison indicated that such an initiative would require a crowdfunding campaign to finance the project.
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