The Bear Ladies

Amanda and Julie welcome all the much-loved soft toys and dolls that are in need of some tender loving care. These two opened a Teddy Bear Shop together initially but soon realised their restoration skills could be put the good use and quickly gained a reputation for transforming sorry looking souls back to their former glory.

BBC Media interview
How did you become an expert in your field/tell us about what you do?

Amanda Middleditch: We began working together based in our teddy bear shop in Beaulieu in the New Forest in 2006. It was the ‘teddy bear’ that gelled the partnership. With our combined sewing skills, we also ran workshops. It wasn’t long that we were receiving many requests for repairs and restorations. Not long after this, we began to dedicate our business to restorations alone.

Julie Tatchell: Many years of hard work, dedication, a passion for the subject and the history combined with the people who trust us with their precious items have got us here. We now run a successful teddy bear and soft toy restoration business with a small workforce we have trained ourselves. Maintaining a good relationship with our clients enables the best outcome for the patient!

How did you come to be on The Repair Shop?

JT: We were approached by Ricochet, ahead of the pilot series, to ask if we would be interested in being part of a new TV show. We loved the ethos behind the format of the show.

What has been your most memorable or challenging repair to date?

AM: All the items bring their own challenges due to the condition they arrive in. It isn’t just following the remit for the repairs that are required, it is the emotional involvement that naturally becomes a part of the work. For example, when we worked on Wheely Ted for Janet - her inspirational story and our understanding of what Wheely Ted meant to her really added to the challenge.

What would be your dream repair?

JT: If a bear or soft toy that needs fixing and an owner that needs our help, Its a dream fulfilled! However, we would love to find ourselves with the opportunity to care for and learn the stories behind the bears and soft toys belonging to people in the public eye such as the Royal Family or other influential figures. Who hasn’t got a teddy bear story to tell!?

What do you love most about being on The Repair Shop?

AM: We are delighted to be able to share our skills with a worldwide audience and give hope to those who, to date, have felt there was nothing that could be done for their precious item. The work we undertake helps to show that repairing and restoring is both good for the item as well as the owner. We love the ‘family’ feel that has grown in the barn over the years: all different skills working towards one goal and supporting each other to make the contributors happy.

JT: Both on and off screen, The Repair Shop has a wonderful ‘feel-good’ factor which is something to be very proud of!