It seems almost unbelievable, but the beloved Winnie the Pooh, or rather images of him, have been banned from being used at a playground in the small town of Tuszyn, Poland. Why you ask? It simply stems from the fact the adorable bear chooses not to wear pants.
Apparently the city council has humanized the poor Pooh so much as to think it inappropriate for children to view him. I for one never remember even thinking about his bare bear bottom as I watched him during my childhood. I guess times have changed and either kids have become more aware, or city councilors have become more ignorant!
So for the love of Pooh, and in protest of this ridiculous city law, we will not look at what Poland has to offer but instead look to East Sussex, London. It is here where we find Ashdown Forest, the setting for the stories of Winnie the Pooh.
Banned from Tuszyn, Poland for not wearing pants! Photo CC Sam Howzit
The Author of Pooh’s adventures A.A Milne actually lived on the edge of Ashdown forest along with his son Christopher Robin Milne, whom he named the main human character after.
Winnie the Pooh was Christopher’s real life teddy bear which was named after a Black bear “Winnie” located in the London Zoo at the time along with a swan named “Pooh.” One can actually view the original bear that inspired Pooh at the New York City Public Library.
But getting back to Ashdown Forest, which is just about an hour and a half drive south of London, and is quite the beautiful magical forest A.A. Milne made it out to be.
Originally a Royal deer hunting forest under the Crown, the forest is now a large free public access space and also designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB).
Ashdown Forest. Photo CC by Steve Slater
One can get away from the fast paced city of London and transport themselves into a beautiful heath and woodland where foxes, badgers, weasels, a plethora of birds, stunning purple emperor butterflies, emperor moths, and even Britain’s only venomous snake, the adder, can be found.
The stars of the forest however are the various species of deer including Sika, Fallow, Roe, and Muntjac. The deer were once the property of the Crown as well but have since gained their freedom and are now wild animals without ownership.
Ashdown Forest. Photo CC by Steve Slater
The adder – Britains only venomous snake. Photo CC by Danny Chapman
So, for a true storybook forest complete with stunning scenery and wildlife, head over to Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. Who knew England still had areas rich with wildlife?
Although you most likely will not come across Pooh, chances are you may find yourself trying to avoid the occasional deer poo!
Directions to Ashdown Forest:
The Ashdown Forest Centre is one mile from Wych Cross – opposite the Ashdown Park Hotel.
From the North: M25 to J8 Godstone, then A22 South. M23 to J10A Crawley then B2110.
From the South: M23 Brighton or, A22 or A275
From the West: M23, then A23, then B2110 from Crawley
From the East: A26 or A264 from Tunbridge Wells
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8 Comments
I had no idea Winnie was based on a real bear. Thanks for the info!
PS – That’s a creative title, but because I live in China, it gave me a completely different image. Crotchless pants are the way parents toilet train their kids here. I wish the Chinese would prohibit pantless pooh, too.
Learn something new every day :D!
LOL and that’s hilarious about China – so random!! That’s a fairly large cultural difference from how I’m used to seeing children toilet trained lol!
It looks so beautiful and serene! I had no idea the books were based on a real area. Thanks for sharing! :)
Hope you manage to travel there at some point – one of the most serene parts of Britain!
That’s quite interesting Mike to hear of the restrictions on poor old Pooh bear. I must admit that as a child I often noted the missing shorts and did wonder too.
I guess we lived in an age of less political correctness and more acceptance of things which in all truth weren’t all that offensive at all.
For me it is a bit like all these people who get on their high horse against breast feeding in public. It is the most natural thing in the world and how many of us were nurtured. If it is done discretely then why should it offend anybody? A crying baby is surely likely to annoy people more.
Sorry to hear Poland is so restrictive for a global character so loved by children. I was even talking to a lady in China last week who chose Winnie as her English name since she loved Winnie the Pooh so much.
Totally agree – the world has become way too politically correct and the need to censor everything often becomes ridiculous.
I think every animal character in the history of cartoons has been without pants, lol daffy duck, donald duck, most of the Disney and Loony Toon characters – so sad that they’re targeting poor old Pooh!
Very cool to learn about where the stories came from! I have to agree it looks beautiful and serene! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Mary – so glad you enjoyed the post!