August 15, 2018 1.41 pm This story is over 76 months old

Nursery children say goodbye to armless Winston

The children will miss seeing Winston
Children from Paper Moon Nursery took farewell gifts to Winston the wooden bear at Birchwood Nature Park.

Children at a local nursery went to say goodbye to armless wooden bear statue Winston, taking him gifts including a honey sandwich.

As previously reported, Winston has stood happily waving at Birchwood Nature Park for over 10 years, but sadly he will have to ‘wave goodbye’ after the elements took their toll on his face and body.

There are three hand carved bear statues including Winston, created by local chainsaw sculptor Mick Burns, which are situated at the main entrance of the park in the south west of Lincoln.

A wooden bear sculpture at Birchwood Nature Park has been badly damaged. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The children at Paper Moon Nursery in Doddington Park love to visit Winston and his family on a regular basis and after hearing he would be leaving they wanted to give him a nice send off.

The children asked if they could go and say goodbye and take him some treats, including a honey sandwich to give him a full tummy for his journey, and a special leavers gift.

Children from Paper Moon Nursery giving gifts to Winston including a honey sandwich.

Nursery Manager Anna Morris said: “The children have told the mummy and child bear that they will be back to visit them soon and they have told Winston that they will take care of his family for him.

“Our children love going and exploring in the woods and will miss seeing Winston on their adventures.”