A globe-trotting teddy bear has sparked fluffy toy fever at the Atlantic Inn.
The bear, auctioned off by the pub, has visited such far-flung holiday hotspots as Bahrain and the Dominican Republic.
And now Atlantic staff have started a whole ?hug? of bears in the fireplace after donations from locals.
‘The teddy bears in the fireplace came about because we had a teddy bear that was auctioned off here for charity,? Rachel Midgley, the Inn’s Assistant Manager, told ScillyNews. ‘The bear, called Bonnet after the gig, is actually travelling the world and is away right now.
“Collecting lots of bears was an idea we had at the spur of the moment at the end of last year. Some of the bears on the fireplace are donated rather than loaned and they will be given to local hospices, probaby on the mainland, so the intention is for everything to be given away eventually.?
Rachel and the staff are hoping people will be generous in donating their bears for a worthy cause. ‘And any time people go abroad, we want them to let us know and take Bonnet with them,” said Rachel. “Also if they can, bring us a teddy bear home from different parts of the world.?
‘We have photographs taken with the travelling bear, so there is an album that we’ve created,” she added. “Again, he’ll eventually be auctioned off to the highest bidder with his travel year book, with the money going to local charities. We hope to make quite a bit of money for Air Ambulance and the RNLI.?
In other pub news, the Atlantic Inn was the recent winner of St Austell Brewery’s Food Pub of the Year Award.
The Atlantic Hotel also scored highly at the annual awards, which recognise all 163 houses in the brewery’s estate.
‘I was at the awards dinner last year and the Isles of Scilly didn’t feature,? Area Manager John McKitterick told ScillyNews. ‘So I made it a goal to make sure someone on Scilly was recognised this time around.?
McKitterick, 46, has been manager of the hotel and Inn since St Austell brewery took over two years ago. ‘Expectations weren’t that high, but we were nominated first for best customer service at the hotel (which we didn’t win) and then best food inn, which I was over the moon about because with two nominations, we had exceeded all hopes.
“When it was announced that we’d won best food, I was absolutely delighted. I rang Rachel in the pub and told them to open a couple of bottles of champagne.?
And he heaped praise on all staff at the Inn, particularly Head Chef Sharon Pengelley and Assistant Manager Rachel. ‘They did a cracking job last season, putting the new menu on, particularly Sharon,? he said. ‘It was her menu, food and presentation that really helped win this award.
‘I think it’s great,? added McKitterick, originally from Newcastle. ‘It’s important not just for the Atlantic, but for all people working for St Austell and for the customers and locals, that the brewery recognise the importance of its outlets here on the islands.?
McKitterick and St Austell Building Manager Graham Sandercock presented three cheques of ?1,000 each to local charities Air Ambulance, RNLI and St Mary’s Hospital/League of Friends on Tuesday from money raised by Islanders and visitors at its three St Mary’s sites.