Teddy Bears Picnic

Every year the village of Gomshall hosts the Teddy Bears Picnic. With the most glorious weather this year, the event today was packed. Originally staged by the local primary school, which unfortunately closed recently, the organisation has been passed to the school in the nearby village of Peaslake. Designed primarily for children, young families flock, each child bringing their teddy bears which are judged and a prize given for the best. Well, teddies come in all shapes and sizes and there were literally hundreds to be blipped, as there were children of all ages and fairground stalls galore but, this year the Tillingbourne which runs through the green, was the blip of today.

No matter how little, or how much rain is thrown at it, the level of this delightful river always remains the same. It's a very safe place. When not used by local students for field studies, children from far and wide come to paddle and dip with nets. I believe the little village shop must have sold out today. I had so many images of children scrutinising their nets, jumping and tripping into the water and toddlers with nappies all soaked through and a little muddy. I chose this image as it is one of the few I got of a good part of the scene without a naked child although it really is only a very small part of the whole scene. I'm known locally so thankfully people trust my judgement.

Now I have many images to sort edit and put up online for the proud parents. What a lovely day!