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Floral Pudsey bear returns to Tatton after 21 years

BBC Derek Smith standing in front of a giant Pudsey bear made from flowers planted in a metal frame. Derek is wearing a green polo shirt with two flowers on the emblem and it reads E Smith and Son Plant CentreBBC
Derek Smith said his father's legacy "would live on in Pudsey"

A giant plant-based Pudsey bear is set to make its return to the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park 21 years after it first featured.

The bear was the creation of plant and flower nursery, E. Smith and Son, based in Lymm in Cheshire, and appeared in the BBC North West Tonight garden in 2003.

But since late founder, Edwin Smith, created it the frame for the Children In Need mascot display had been left to the elements behind a shed.

His son, Derek Smith, has got Pudsey in shape and it is ready to feature again this year.

Edwin Smith poses in a greenhouse in front of the giant Pudsey back in 2003. He's wearing a light blue polo shirt and carrying a gardening tool. He has short white hair.
The late Edwin Smith pictured with his creation back in 2003

Edwin died in 2018, but his son said he would have been "absolutely made up" to see his creation back in Tatton.

Mr Smith told the BBC: "We have kept him all these years never knowing that we would ever use him again.

"But it's really fantastic to get him out and get him replanted."

He said Pudsey's metal frame had been "hiding behind the shed" for the past two decades and had not been "well-looked after".

However, Mr Smith said it was still in good shape which was "testament to the work of my father".

A mainly green display of flowers and leaves shows Pudsey in a greenhouse. He has a black nose and mouth and eyes with a lighter patch of green flowers and coloured dots on the bit representing Pudsey's bandage over one eye.
How the re-constructed plant-based Pudsey looks now

After a call from a BBC producer about five weeks ago, he said his enthusiasm was "re-fired" and the beloved bear was rescued and re-planted.

Despite the challenges of such a short time-frame, the bear is now in fine shape thanks to Mr Smith's staff, including his daughter, Rachel.

Rachel, who tried her best to help as a toddler in 2003, said her grandad "would have been thrilled" to see the bear back on display.

Mr Smith said his father did "lots of fantastic things" for the Tatton show over the years.

"His legacy lives on in Pudsey," he added.

The show's 25th anniversary event takes place from 17 July.

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