Denton’s time travelling Ted won a devoted online following during the long months of lockdown.

So much so that the local history society swiftly signed him up to be the star attraction of a weekend ‘exhibition with a difference’ at Victoria Park Community Centre.

The knitted character, created by long time stalwart Florence Oliver, made his superimposed first appearance in a daily series of black and white photographs of the town in times past posted on the society’s Facebook page last year.

Visitors to the exhibition were invited to follow Ted’s journey through time.

The knitted exhibition featured the little bear as a Scout, the chairman of the town council, a DJ, a pub singer and a proud citizen carrying a poppy wreath for Remembrance Sunday - to mention just a few.

Florence also kitted out a squad of ‘key worker’ bears, including a police officer, bus driver, doctor and paramedic, crafting their uniforms from strips of felt and oddments of material.

The grandmother-of-four first came up with the idea to do something  positive, help pass the time and keep in touch with the outside world while she was self-isolating due to the pandemic.

Seeing the stream of positive comments online and knowing she was helping to cheer people up encouraged Florence to ‘keep on going.’

By early this year, she had reached a staggering total of 84 Teds, most of which have now been sold as a fundraiser for the society.

Florence was delighted with the turnout for the exhibition. “We had a very busy weekend and I am pleased to say 49 Teds found forever homes.”

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