Pages

Sunday 3 November 2013

Mrs Tiggywinkle re-visited!

It's that time again and it's the penultimate time for entering at Sian's Storytelling Sunday. Why don't you sit for awhile and read all the stories on offer this month.

 Here is mine.
In the summer I went with my granddaughter, Daisy to visit some friends in Cumbria.  We were hoping to visit the home of Beatrix Potter at Hill Top Farm in the Lake District. Beatrix wrote many of the Peter Rabbit Collection of stories here at the farm and Daisy wanted to see her drawings and paintings in real life.  There were so many tourists doing the same thing and the roads were very busy so my friend thought it would be better if we returned in the half term when it would be quieter.  I wrote this story earlier in the year for Storytelling Sunday, where I introduced Mrs Tiggywinkle to you all and here's her story today.

Anyone who has read the Beatrix Potter books, knows about Mrs Tiggywinkle and the rest of the characters she created and when Mom saw a pattern in the Woman's Weekly to knit the little figures she set to work straightaway.

This was about 20 years ago and Mom was making soft toys to raise funds for the Childrens' Hospital in Birmingham where many children from all over the country were treated for cancer. Mom's partner was a volunteer driver for the hospital and had to pick up a child from a remote farm up in the Lake District, not far from Hill Top Farm.  On this trip the farmer had to carry his daughter down to the main road as the access to the farm was deep in snow.  Mom used to go in the car too and would sit knitting away while they were travelling.  She was making Mrs Tiggywinkle on this trip so when the little girl saw it she asked if she could have one too.  Mom promised she would have that one when it was finished. She kept her word and when, a few weeks later, the little girl was going home, Mom gave it to her. I loved Mrs Tiggywinkle too so Mom made one for me.  She stayed in my bedroom but was always available for any visiting children to play with. When Daisy was born she loved playing with her and eventually claimed Mrs Tiggwinkle as her own.  She spent the last eight years in Daisy's bedroom, on her bed..  She's back with me now, still very precious but a bit shabby and once again sits on my bed. I've mended her head which was in danger of falling off and repaired the stitching around her waist which had come undone so now she looks a bit smarter.

Last week was half term in the UK and Daisy and I travelled up to the Lake District and visited the home of Beatrix Potter. Mrs Tiggywinkle was coming with us to Cumbria so we could have our photo taken outside her creator's home,  but.................  my memory is getting as bad as my eyes and she was left in the house along with my camera!!!  I did get a shot with my phone camera though to prove we were there. We had a lovely time and I'm sure I shall enjoy scrapping the few photos I did take.  Thank you for joining me today on Sian's Storytelling Sunday.  Why don't you pop over and read some more stories or better still, have a try at telling your own pick your precious story.

Daisy outside Hill Top Farm.

11 comments:

  1. I love Beatrix Potter too and have visited her house. How lovely of your mum to knit for those children and how wonderful that you still have your Mrs Tiggywinkle.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your mum was clearly a very special person to whom many people felt they could relate easily and with warmth. So lovely that Mrs Tiggywinkle is still giving pleasure today.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely story about the toys that your mom made! You'll just have to make a third visit to Beatrix Potter's house, this time bringing Mrs. T with you. I think Daisy would approve of a third visit, don't you? :)

    How are you? Hope that all is well!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh we enjoyed our visit there too - so glad that you made it. I'm agreeing with Denise that you need to go again to take Mrs T too :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a lovely story, and such a sweet toy, I am sure that there will be a return trip bringing Mrs Tiggywinkle with you for a photo session! I remember visiting that house many years ago and you can just imagine Beatrice Potter looking out into the countryside making up her stories.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a lovely story! I'm sure a return trip is on the cards. You have taken me back to the days when my Mum was able to do lots of sewing: she had a whole book of soft toy Beatrix Potter patterns and she made a Peter Rabbit for my brother and Flopsy and Mopsy for the girls.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such a lovely story but what a shame you forgot your camera and Mrs Tiggywinkle, a good excuse to return though :) x

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a lovely story x
    I think you will need to return with your camera & Mrs Tiggywinkle & I need to add this to my Bucket List as a place to visit x

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a wonderful story - how fantastic that Mrs Tiggywinkle has been enjoyed by another generation!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well, my curiosity is piqued. I know of Peter Rabbit, but I'm not familiar with Mrs. Tiggywinkle. I think I feel a date with google coming on...

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a lovely story and I am sure Mrs Tiggywinkle will be up for a photo shoot next time.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for visiting and leaving some blog love!