No fees, no forms, no prizes, no picnic tea. This year’s Toffee Apple Ted Trail – re-arranged by Jesmond Community Orchard and Jesmond Library for the last week of October – was certainly different from previous events.

“So many things are different this year,” said Joan Aarvold, a volunteer who has organised many of the library’s children’s activities over the last six years and developed this year’s event with help from Joan Hoenich, Kay Punshon and Julia Opposs. “We would normally have had a three-week long Teddy Bear Trail during late spring or early summer. This time, the event only lasted nine days. For previous Trails, we have had entry forms, prizes donated by local businesses, and a tea party in the library to reward the winners and for all the Teddies to meet each other. Sadly none of these things was possible this year.”

In order to ensure the event was Covid-safe, all information about the teddy bear hunt was published online and displayed in the library window. Participants were advised to cross roads only at safe crossing points and posters were placed along the route to keep Teddy hunters on the right track.

The Trail is normally part of the Community Festival, held each spring but cancelled this year because of the pandemic. However, following requests from parents, children and local community organisations, says Aarvold, volunteers were asked if an autumn half-term Trail would be possible. Almost 30 local businesses and residents around Jesmond shared their window spaces, walls and gardens to host a Teddy along the Trail which followed a circular route, apart from a visit to the Community Orchard.

Reaction on social media suggests the event was enjoyed by both children and grown-ups. “We really enjoyed it so thank you for organising! It was a lovely idea!” Kim Davis told the volunteers on Facebook.

Each Teddy held a toffee apple and had a clear, numbered name label. “Their names were all different and many were clever and funny,” said Aarvold. “For example, we had Count Duck Apple, Mrs Bow-Jangle, Hyacinth Bouquet, Zestar and SPA-kle.”

There was, however, one casualty. Near the end of the event, Bosky Bear was assaulted and mugged, his right arm almost severed and his toffee apples stolen. The Teddy’s owner carried out some emergency first aid to help him through the last days of the Trail.

Several families have shared photographs from the Trail on the Jesmond Library Facebook page.

Yara Rezk from West Jesmond Primary School found 21 teddy bears and shared a full list of all the bears she spotted, all written in her best handwriting. “She had a great time in the half-term holiday,” said Yara’s mother, Safaa Zerouni.

Paula Morris and her family took part in the event as one of the hosts. In a feedback email sent to Aarvold, she expressed their enjoyment and appreciation: “We loved being part of the teddy bear trail, thank you so much. It was great hearing all the happy voices from outside our window! Our kids totally loved it.”