Bob Hall, an 81-year-old resident of Staxton, has taken his beloved teddy bear, Herry, on an extraordinary journey across the globe. Together, they have visited over 30 locations, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the scenic coastlines of Cape Town. Their travels serve a dual purpose: exploring the world and educating students at Hertford Vale CofE Primary School.
Gifted to Bob by the school, Herry the teddy bear acts as a mascot, helping pupils learn about different cultures and countries. “I’ve been all around the world maybe about five times, and Herry-Bear has been with me the entire time,” Bob shares. “He’s my boss, friend and companion.”
Sharing Adventures with Students
Recently, Bob and Herry visited the school to present a slideshow illustrating their adventures. The presentation captivated students, showcasing images of Herry riding a camel and posing with a Chinese lantern. As Bob revealed each location, hands shot up eagerly as children guessed where Herry had been.
Bob’s adventurous spirit is rooted in his past experiences. His career in the army and civil service took him to many remarkable places, but he paused his travels to care for his wife, Mary, who battled Alzheimer’s disease for over a decade before her passing. Bob credits the support of Andrew Barber, headteacher at Hertford Vale, as “instrumental” in his healing process following this significant loss.
His idea to travel with Herry and share stories with students was born during a trip to Australia in 2019. “With my pictures, they can actually visualise what these countries are like and it’s immediate for them, particularly because Herry-Bear is there,” Bob explains. This initiative aims to spark curiosity among the children about the world.
Memorable Moments and Future Plans
Among their many adventures, Bob highlights the safari trips in South Africa and Botswana as particularly memorable. Tourists often express interest in Herry, amazed that a man of Bob’s age would choose to share his life journey with a teddy bear. “They’re very interested, and when I tell them they are absolutely amazed that somebody my age should want to share my life story with Herry-Bear,” he recounts.
After the presentation, the children shared where they hoped to travel next. Eight-year-old Bodhi expressed a desire to visit Korea, citing her love for the music of Korean bands. Ten-year-old Oliver dreams of experiencing the futuristic landscapes of Japan, while six-year-old Hannah found Herry’s adventures “awesome” and wishes to take him on her next holiday. Five-year-old Chester simply wants to visit America for the candy shops.
Bob, however, does not hold a traditional bucket list. “I think where I want to go and when I want to go is how I feel at a particular time,” he states. Their next significant journey will take them to South America, culminating in an appearance at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, where Herry will once again steal the spotlight. Before that, Bob plans a solo trip to Barbados for some personal time, joking, “I’m not taking the bear – it’s me time.”
This partnership between Bob and Herry not only enriches their lives but also inspires a generation of students to dream big and explore the world.
