Merrythought

Bear necessities

August 13, 2013

Merrythought is Britain’s last-remaining teddy bear manufacturer. CampdenFB speaks to its fourth-gen owner about its industrial heritage and hand-crafted soft toys.

During the Industrial Revolution, Ironbridge in Shropshire was a hotbed of metal-bashing. Now it’s a sleepy little place on the tourist trail and the manufacturing that takes place there is often of a far cuddlier variety. For Ironbridge is the home of Merrythought, the last teddy bear-maker in Britain.

Merrythought commemorates royal birth

July 24, 2013

The royal baby boy, born to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Monday, is to become the latest member of the British royal family to own a Merrythought teddy bear.

In honour of his birth, the family firm, now in its fourth generation, produced 200 limited edition commemorative bears and has gifted the first in the series to the latest addition to the royal family.