Helen Borrill

My teddy bear was very important when I was growing up, I could tell him all my troubles and he never told anyone my secrets!

I made the Peppercorn Bears during a career break thirty years ago when I became the owner of a gift shop in Ryde on the Isle of Wight. The bears were made to sell but honestly, they seemed to have developed their own characters - when I sold Arthur to live in the USA I felt very guilty - so decided not to sell any more of them. They sat on the top shelf in the shop, and stories about them grew in my imagination.

I resumed my career and had no time to write the stories down. Now I have more time and the bears have given me permission to write and share their stories.

What can I tell you about myself? Well, I love gardening and four years ago started to keep bees in my garden, it’s a fascinating hobby, I’ve lots to learn! I really don’t like cold weather and think I should hibernate in the winter, I would far rather be in a warm country when the weather is cold and wet.