Pocket Nostalgia!

Teddy in My Pocket

"Adorable teddies to care for and collect"

This line crept into production in 1995 and there were a few different sets. I’m not entirely sure why they transgressed from animals to inanimate objects and exactly how they sit beside each other in the Pocketville universe makes my adult mind hurt, but teddies were later released in the Dream House playset along with puppy, pony, and kitty with no questions asked!

I do wish that they had released a ‘Play and Display’ style house rather than the cottages, but they did at least get their own playsets which have their own cute quirks.

Admittedly, they were not my favourites growing up and I don’t recall having many (I didn’t request any of the sets), but I can appreciate now that they were well made with thoughtful designs. Some of these sets can be picked up relatively easily and are an affordable addition to your collection.

The original recommended retail price was £3.49 each for the first released sets called 'Teddy 4 Pack Collection'. Five sets were made:

A: Wedding Bears B: Sports Bear-sonalities C: Lulla-bear Nursery D: Bear-watch E: Teddy Bears' Picnic
However, these sets are not in numerical order, and therefore I'll list them in 'bear order' below

Wedding Bears - Wedding Set

I think this must have been a popular set or on clearance, because I see this one the most! The set comprised of an archway (more like a church doorway) that is marked 1995 MEG, and came with the following four bears:

1. Simon (the groom)
“Can you keep a secret? Don’t tell Rhian as it’s a surprise. I’m taking her on a special trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon! Do you think she’ll like it?
2. Rhian (the bride)
“Something old– my dress, something new– my flowers, something borrowed– my veil, something blue– oh dear, I don't have anything. Do you have something blue I could wear?
3. Daniel (the pageboy)
“I'm trying ever so hard to be good and stand still for the photos– but it's very hard work! Not much longer though, and then it's time for the reception and lots of yummy cakes!”
4. Lucy (the flower girl)
“Do you like my pretty dress? It was made especially for me. It's all so exciting, I can't wait until I'm old enough to be a bride– I'll have to try and catch Rhian's bouquet later, as that means I'll be the next one to get married!”

I do like how the bride and groom’s hands rest together. Fun fact: my honeymoon was in Hawaii.

NB: I don’t have the cards for this set at present, and I’m looking for them.

Teddy Bears' Picnic - Picnic Set

Not going to lie, this is one of the cuter Teddy sets and something we can all get on board with - a teddy bear picnic! The picnic mould was also used for other sets in the In My Pocket universe, including Baby Surprise.

5. Gordon (holding the 'honey' pot)
"Would you like to try some of my honey? I bought it from the farmer down the road. It's ever so nice - especially in banana and honey sandwiches!"
6. Amanda (holding the tea pot)
"Anyone for more tea? It's very thirsty work trying to keep up with Katie and Russell's games - they've so much energy! I think I'll have a little rest before I join in again."
7. Katie (holding the kite)
"We've had such a lovely day. Mum and Dad have treated us to a special picnic, as it's the school holidays. I'm going to fly my new kite in the fields - are you coming?"
8.Russell (holding the ball)
"Oh I'm a bit full! I've just had a huge picnic lunch and there were so many nice things to eat, sandwiches, cake, crisps and pies - I just had to try a bit of everything!"

This set is complete, however please note that the packed version would have also had a collector's album, detailing the bears available for sale at the time.

Lulla-bear Nursery Set

Another set I would have probably have liked but I don't recall ever seeing in the shops. My backdrop is a little sunfaded but it should be bright pink and marked MEG 1995. I understand this mould was also used in other In My Pocket sets as they were very good at repurposing things and changing their colour! This set came with:

9. Marcus (all cosy in bed)
"Now I'm all cosy in bed, will you read me a story? It's my bedtime and I'm always allowed one story before I go to sleep. Goldilocks and the 3 bears is my favourite!"
10. Jamie (having a good ol' scrub in the tub)
"My Mum says it's bathtime again, but I don't mind– I love to play in a bubble bath with all my toys. "
11. Bethan (holding a teddy bear)
"My teddy and I are going to have tea in the nursery with some friends later. Would you like to join us? We're having jelly and ice-cream! "
12. Rachel (riding the rocking horse)
"Horsey, Horsey don't you stop, just let your hooves go clippety clop." This is my favourite nursery thyme at the moment– will you sing me your favourite song?"

NB: I am missing the cards for this set, and I am looking for them,

Sports Bear-sonalities Set

Who doesn't like hench sporty bears?! Just me? Oh, ok then! Not my favourite in this series, but I can see this appealing to a broader market, maybe a set for a brother who is forced to share his sister's bear collection (not that I am stereotyping, of course!). This set also included a podium which is in-keeping with earlier In My Pocket sets.

13. Troy (wearing a Rugby helmet)
"Grr, I'm a lean, mean, fighting machine!" – well that is what I'm telling myself! It's the first big game of the season and I'm getting ready to go out and win!"
14. Geoffery (holding a cricket bat)
"We've just won another cricket match. Our team is playing really well this season. If we win one more game, the league title is ours!"
15. Ryan (kicking a football)
"When I grow up I want to be a famous footballer and play for my country. I'm captain of our school team, so I'm well on my way!"
16. Andre (holding a tennis racket)
"Tennis is my favourite sport! I've been working on my serve lately and can't wait to try it out on someone– would you like to have a game?"

NB: I am missing the cards and podium for this set, and I am looking for them.

Bear-watch Beach Set

I think the context of this set is lost a bit without it's backdrop (sorry). This set comes with a sandy playset with a sign that says 'Bear Watch' in a decidedly similar font of a certain 90's beach programme. I reckon Mitchell watched it, his face is not the one. The sandcastle/beach mould was also used in other In My Pocket sets, but with different text.

17. Gill (not sharing an ice-cream)
"You're never too old to build sandcastles! For a finishing touch, this one needs a moat around it. I'll just finish this ice-cream and then I'll make a start."
18. Charlie (green sunglasses and tie)
"Time to relax on the beach– this is the life! I've just bought these cool shades– do you think they suit my bear-sonality?"
19. Mitchell (horrid face with binoculars)
"You need to have eyes in the back of your head being a lifeguard! We have a very responsible job to do here at Bearwatch making sure everyone's safe but still having fun!"
20. Harry (holding a sail boat)
"What do you think of my new boat? I can't wait to see how well it sails. I'm just going down to try it out in the pool. I hope it doesn't sink!"

NB: I'm missing the cards and the background for this set, which I am looking for.

Teddy Picnic Playhouse

So now you've collected your first 20 figures, you're going to need a collector's case to play and display them!

This set originally retailed for £9.99. It's described as:

"The perfect home for your teddies! All teddies need the Bear essentials - love, care, and a home to live in! With room for over 20 Teddies, the Teddy Picnic Playhouse is just the place for your collection of Teddies to play, sleep or even travel in!"

The set contents:
One carry case, two play scenes, one exclusive teddy and fact card.

The case has a carry handle for ease of transport, and the cardboard mat is double-sided so you can change which way you wish to play. This set was later released again in another colour way for a later Teddy release, but we'll get to that later. Vivid Imaginations used this mould not only for In My Pocket and Animal Hospital, but it was also used for Wallace and Gromit too. They got their money's worth out of this mould!

The box also has the details of how you can get your 'free' teddy bears for numbers 22 and 23 for the princely sum of 50p and six points, four of which came with the pack. You could use any points from any In My Pocket sets.

The reverse packaging also shows which other In My Pocket sets were available, including Pony in My Pocket Gymkhana, Magic Vet Care Playset, and the Love 'n' Sparkle Collection of kitties, puppies, and ponies.

This set is complete with original box.

This set came with:

21. Thomas
"Teddy is my best friend in the whole world! We go everywhere and do everything together, but more than anything we love to invite all our friends round to the Picnic Playhouse."

Thomas's mould was also used for bear #11.

Mail Order Bears 22 & 23

As previously mentioned, the next in our sequence of bears is a mail order exclusive pair. I'm not sure if these were available just in the UK or if they had a wider mail order release.

I did not send away for these bears as a child, however I did have the other set of grandparents that came free with cereal - not to be confused with this pair.

22. Grandma Emma (bear wearing green)
"It's such a lovely day, I thought I'd go for a stroll in the park to show off my new outfit. Then I think I'll have tea and cream cakes in a nice little tearoom!"
23, Grandad George (dark blue overalls)
"I'm meeting Grandma Emma for tea and cream cakes later, but she says I need to smarten up a bit first– I think I look OK like this, don't you?"

This set is complete with the cards. For some reason my PC won't have them the right way around.

In My Pocket Dream House

I had this as a kid and it was one of my favourites to play with; where the teddy from this set comes into it, I still really don't understand, and sadly for him, he was mostly left out of play, unlike the narrative in his card.

24 Nicholas (bear wearing red sunglasses)
"As it's such a sunny day I'm going out to play in the garden. First I think I'll go for a ride in the cart with Jake and then maybe I'll play with Josie on the See-Saw."

I'm missing this figure from my collection, as well as his card and the playset. I am currently looking for this set.

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