A couple of weeks ago we were invited to tea at The Ritz for the launch of the personalised My First Forever Friends nursery toy collection from Golden Bear and a chat with parenting expert Sarah Ockwell-Smith. Forever Friends was first launched in 1987 and I remember receiving the teddy bear design on a birthday card when I was younger. I’m really pleased to see that it’s still going strong and around for my children to enjoy.
A timeless classic with a strong heritage and global appeal, Forever Friends continues to delight and captivate all those who are drawn into its world of endearing Forever Friends bears and friendship message. For new parents, that emotive link between baby’s first experiences and the endearing Forever Friends characters provides a natural source of inspiration for the new Nursery toy range.
Super soft fabrics and gentle tones provide a subtle background for the new collection of multi-sensory toys. Prices range from a very reasonable £5.99 to £24.99 and the toys include a specially designed baby-safe photo-frame, My First Forever Friends Squeaker, My First Forever Friends Jingler and My First Forever Friends Snuggle Blankie.
We loved the toys we saw, especially the My First Forever Friends Sweet Dreams multi-sensory teddy which emits a soft pink glowing light and features four comforting baby-sensitive sounds: heart-beat, musical lullaby, white noise and sea waves to relax and calm baby and help them drift off to sleep. This adorable Sweet Dreams bear features the unique baby-safe photo holder and includes a volume and timer setting as well as a handy hanging strap.
Visit www.goldenbeartoys.com for further information.
Win a My First Forever Friends Chime Bear
I’m delighted to have a super sweet and cuddly My First Forever Friends Chime Bear (RRP £12.99) from the new range to giveaway (pictured above). This is an ideal first teddy with rounded body, floppy legs, gentle tinkle chime sounds and photo holder.
For your chance to win please answer the question via the Rafflecopter widget and leave a comment on this post.
253 Comments
ashleigh allan
August 6, 2015 at 7:12 am1989 was when they were first given the names forever friends and put on cards!
Tracy Nixon
August 6, 2015 at 7:17 amIn 1987! Gorgeous bears!
Sally Collingwood
August 6, 2015 at 7:30 am1987 Working from her little studio in Bath, artist Deborah Jones sketched the very first Bears
Spencer Broadley
August 6, 2015 at 8:07 am1987 to start – but named in 1989
Felicity Smith
August 6, 2015 at 9:52 am1987 seems to be the consensus for the sketches with 1989 for the name Forever Friends
laura banks
August 6, 2015 at 11:43 amin 1987
Tracey Peach
August 6, 2015 at 11:44 am1987 He’s Cute! xxx
iain maciver
August 6, 2015 at 11:52 am1987 fab giveaway
Ruth Bugg
August 6, 2015 at 12:01 pm1987, lovely bear such a friendly face
Jennifer Haden
August 6, 2015 at 12:24 pm1987 x
I love this bear, he is too adorable x
Debbie Clifford
August 6, 2015 at 12:32 pmforever friends was first launched in 1987 in a small studio in Bath but the name was launched in 1989, this bear would make the perfect companion for my newly born grandson Bailey Bleu x
winnie
August 6, 2015 at 2:15 pm1987
stacy sorrell
August 6, 2015 at 2:35 pm1987 for sketches & named forever friends in 1989
aj
August 6, 2015 at 4:56 pmthey started in 1987 but named in 1989
Michelle Banks
August 6, 2015 at 7:25 pm1987
Tanya Deliyska
August 6, 2015 at 8:10 pmForever Friends was first launched in 1987.
Susie Wilkinson
August 6, 2015 at 9:34 pmThey first existed in 1987, but were named ‘Forever Friends’ in 1989
samantha r
August 6, 2015 at 9:56 pm1987
Anthony Harrington
August 6, 2015 at 11:28 pm1987
Ruth Harwood
August 7, 2015 at 8:35 am1987 🙂
Jen Schofield
August 7, 2015 at 9:07 amIn 1987!
helen carter
August 7, 2015 at 10:51 amcute teddy bear
Paula Readings
August 7, 2015 at 3:44 pm1987
Laura Pritchard
August 7, 2015 at 7:14 pmIn 1987.
Angela treadway
August 7, 2015 at 8:42 pm1987 x
Jo m Welsh
August 7, 2015 at 8:46 pmThe year 1987
Lynsey Buchanan
August 8, 2015 at 1:23 pm1987
melanie stirling
August 8, 2015 at 11:30 pm1987
claire woods
August 9, 2015 at 8:27 am1987
claire griffiths
August 9, 2015 at 5:54 pm1987
Stacey Carnell
August 9, 2015 at 9:35 pm1987
Pamela Gossage
August 9, 2015 at 9:37 pm1987
Sarah Rees
August 9, 2015 at 9:46 pmIt was launched in 1987
Edward Guerreiro
August 9, 2015 at 9:49 pm1987
Zoe G
August 9, 2015 at 9:55 pm1987
Steven Carroll
August 9, 2015 at 10:01 pmGorgeous bears!
Tammy westrup
August 9, 2015 at 10:01 pmIt was 1987
Dale Dow
August 9, 2015 at 10:01 pm1987 – I was only 5 years old
Soph H
August 9, 2015 at 10:12 pm1987 then named forever friends in 1989
Beverley Marsh
August 9, 2015 at 10:17 pm1987
chrissheldonbrown91@hotmail.co.uk
August 9, 2015 at 10:28 pmAnswer 1987 🙂
Kat Lucas
August 9, 2015 at 10:35 pm1987, but were named ‘Forever Friends’ in 1989
Sarah Gray
August 9, 2015 at 10:40 pm1987
Stephanie Tsang
August 9, 2015 at 10:47 pm1987, but were named ‘Forever Friends’ in 1989
Caroline H
August 10, 2015 at 1:10 amThey were named in 1989.
Kate Loader
August 10, 2015 at 1:24 am1987
caroline walliss
August 10, 2015 at 7:41 am1987.x
Sarah-Jane Laycock
August 10, 2015 at 8:53 am1987
claire blaney
August 10, 2015 at 8:54 amIn 1987! Gorgeous bears!
jane davis
August 10, 2015 at 10:18 am1987
Claire Davies
August 10, 2015 at 10:38 am1987 – Brilliant competition 🙂 All entered, thank you very much!
justine meyer
August 10, 2015 at 11:00 amIt was 1987
Simon
August 10, 2015 at 5:08 pm1987
Carol Emmett
August 10, 2015 at 5:08 pm1987
Julie D
August 10, 2015 at 5:09 pm1987! thanks
Pam Hubbard
August 10, 2015 at 5:26 pm1987
Joanna Butler-Savage
August 10, 2015 at 5:13 pmthat would be 1987
Kirsty Webb
August 10, 2015 at 5:16 pm1989.
Neil Dobson
August 10, 2015 at 5:21 pm1987
laura stewart
August 10, 2015 at 5:57 pmIn 1987
Paul Fell
August 10, 2015 at 6:03 pmin 1987
ELAINE DALE
August 10, 2015 at 6:07 pm1987
Simon G
August 10, 2015 at 6:14 pm1987
Paula Barker
August 10, 2015 at 6:16 pm1987
Sharon jones
August 10, 2015 at 7:09 pm1987
Ellen Nixon
August 10, 2015 at 7:19 pm1987
Kevin Honey
August 10, 2015 at 7:30 pm1987
olga carpenter
August 10, 2015 at 7:36 pm1987
Yvonne Burton
August 10, 2015 at 7:47 pm1987
andrea tinkler
August 10, 2015 at 7:54 pm1987
Tina M Holmes
August 10, 2015 at 8:01 pm1987
valerie cooper
August 10, 2015 at 8:02 pm1987 but became forever friends in 1989 love this bear
Laura Nice
August 10, 2015 at 9:19 pm1987 🙂
Caroline Blaza
August 10, 2015 at 9:25 pm1987 x
Jessica Powell
August 10, 2015 at 9:45 pm1987 🙂
Janet Coverdale
August 10, 2015 at 10:07 pm1987
PAUL STANLEY
August 10, 2015 at 10:14 pm1987
Jacki Hamer
August 10, 2015 at 11:16 pm1987
Sue McCarthy
August 11, 2015 at 7:54 am1987
Rebecca Cusick
August 11, 2015 at 7:58 am1987! Always preferred these to the blue nose bears xx
Katrine
August 11, 2015 at 8:51 am1987 😀 That bear would be lovely for my nephew who was born in July!:)
Amanda Cater
August 11, 2015 at 10:21 amwow how adorable is he ?
Sarah T
August 11, 2015 at 12:15 pm1987
Helen Southam
August 11, 2015 at 1:22 pm1987. My daughter would love this bear, good luck all
Jo Carroll
August 11, 2015 at 2:11 pm1987 for sketches but officially named ‘forever friends’ bears in 1989
leanne weir
August 11, 2015 at 2:48 pm1987
Linda Mawdsley
August 11, 2015 at 3:18 pm1987
Jane Barclay
August 11, 2015 at 3:18 pm1987
My granddaughter would love cuddling chime bear.
sarah rees
August 11, 2015 at 4:19 pm1987
Karen Laing
August 11, 2015 at 6:38 pm1987,I loved them then,I love them now.My children had them and now my grandchildren have them too.The thing is,you can never really have too many Forever Friends x
Pauline Wilson
August 11, 2015 at 6:58 pm1987
Rachel Butterworth
August 11, 2015 at 7:31 pm1987.
Kirsty Ward
August 11, 2015 at 7:40 pm1987 🙂
Louise worsell
August 11, 2015 at 10:00 pm1987 xx
Amy aylward
August 12, 2015 at 12:21 am1987 for sketches, but then officially named ‘forever friends’ bears in 1989 also on greeting cards in 1989.
I’d love to win this for my eldest son of 3 to give to his new born baby brother for his first teddy bear . 🙂 x
Rose p
August 12, 2015 at 7:25 am1987
Stevie
August 12, 2015 at 8:12 am1987.
Laura Baker
August 12, 2015 at 11:53 am1987
Robyn Logan Clarke
August 12, 2015 at 2:40 pm1987
vicky haining
August 12, 2015 at 6:20 pm1987. one of my friends is about to have her first baby, i’d love to give her this!
Janice Dunn
August 12, 2015 at 10:50 pm1987, amazing prize! Fingers crossed X
jodie yorke
August 13, 2015 at 3:25 am1987
Vanessa alvis
August 13, 2015 at 11:37 am1987
Rachel Savage
August 13, 2015 at 8:14 pm1987….so cute ?
Christine Dodd
August 13, 2015 at 8:41 pm1987
COLLEEN Thomas
August 13, 2015 at 10:44 pm1987
Lisa Clyma
August 14, 2015 at 6:14 am1987, such a cute bear
Jill Osborne
August 14, 2015 at 9:19 am1987
lee eltham
August 14, 2015 at 12:57 pmGreat prize 1987
Corinne Peat
August 14, 2015 at 10:45 pm1987
Julie Ward
August 14, 2015 at 11:07 pm1987 and still going strong
donna l jones
August 14, 2015 at 11:39 pm1987
katie skeoch
August 15, 2015 at 1:44 pm1987, almost as old as me! (But not quite ?)
Harley
August 15, 2015 at 3:17 pmIt was 1989 x
Clair Candy
August 15, 2015 at 8:45 pm1987 x
carole n
August 15, 2015 at 9:28 pm1987
Christine Caple
August 15, 2015 at 10:15 pm1987
Lillian Fisher
August 15, 2015 at 11:18 pm1987, cute bear
ruth robinson
August 16, 2015 at 11:16 am1987
fozia Akhtar
August 16, 2015 at 4:14 pm1987
Kristy Brown
August 16, 2015 at 5:18 pmIn 1987
Suzanne Jackson
August 16, 2015 at 5:37 pmIn 1987, love this range 🙂
kay lou smith
August 16, 2015 at 7:10 pm1987 🙂
Louise Moss
August 16, 2015 at 8:35 pm1987 – my grandma bought my daughter a forever friends bear when she was born in january. Would love to add this to her collection!
adrian knox
August 16, 2015 at 10:06 pm1987 ******
Angela Williams
August 16, 2015 at 10:10 pm1987
fiona mcbride
August 16, 2015 at 10:14 pm1987
Susan Hunt
August 16, 2015 at 10:43 pmIn 1987
kelly holden
August 16, 2015 at 11:00 pm1987
Sarah Norgrove
August 16, 2015 at 11:45 pm1987
Ella L
August 17, 2015 at 7:15 am1987
kirsty roberts
August 17, 2015 at 1:05 pm1987 🙂
Tara Davies
August 17, 2015 at 4:42 pm1987
janine atkin
August 17, 2015 at 7:37 pm1987
Elizabeth Doody
August 17, 2015 at 9:19 pm1987, used to love collecting the keyrings from Clintons!
Michelle Hughes
August 19, 2015 at 9:34 am1987 <3
Kay Foster
August 19, 2015 at 10:59 am1987 x
Debbie Rimmer
August 19, 2015 at 10:27 pmThe FOREVER FRIENDS sketches were first created in 1987, the bears were released in 1989.
I used to collect these beautiful bears and had sackfuls of them!! I have kept one special one given to me by my mum one Christmas. The rest were given as gifts to friends children for them to enjoy as much as I did!!
Kelly Smith
August 19, 2015 at 10:47 pm1987 in Bath which coincidentally is my home town and birth year! 🙂
Janet Carter
August 20, 2015 at 10:03 am1987
Angie Hoggett
August 20, 2015 at 10:17 am1987
Rebecca Smith
August 20, 2015 at 10:32 am1987
mjen1@outlook.com
August 20, 2015 at 10:43 am1987, a fabulous giveaway x
teresa sheldon
August 20, 2015 at 1:33 pm1987
Colin Gault
August 20, 2015 at 2:36 pm1987 is the year
Jenny
August 20, 2015 at 6:10 pm1987
Jamie
August 20, 2015 at 8:41 pm1989
Maureen findley
August 20, 2015 at 8:49 pm1987
Kirsty John
August 20, 2015 at 8:55 pm1987
Susan Murray
August 20, 2015 at 9:17 pm1987
Heather Simpson
August 20, 2015 at 10:22 pm1987
ellie spider
August 20, 2015 at 11:16 pm1987
Cant believe they have been going for so long
Hannah
August 21, 2015 at 1:38 am1987 x
Susan B
August 21, 2015 at 5:32 am1987
Wendy Guy
August 21, 2015 at 8:01 am1987. Always bring joy and happiness.
barbara clarke
August 21, 2015 at 8:28 am1987
Jenny Jones
August 21, 2015 at 9:37 am1989 🙂 love it
Laura Whittle
August 21, 2015 at 9:45 am1987
Lisa Houston
August 21, 2015 at 9:57 am1987
Kirsty
August 21, 2015 at 10:38 am1987 🙂
Jess Wood
August 21, 2015 at 10:41 am1987 was the year!
Alison MacDonald
August 21, 2015 at 11:56 amStarted in 1987 – but named in 1989
steph lovatt
August 21, 2015 at 12:09 pmStarted 1987
Julie Easby
August 21, 2015 at 12:31 pm1987, but was named ‘Forever Friends’ in 1989
Laura winkless
August 21, 2015 at 1:18 pmFirst made in 1987, but officially became forever friends in 1989
Samantha Sugden
August 21, 2015 at 1:21 pm1987
Paul wheatley
August 21, 2015 at 1:57 pm1987
Holly Lovatt
August 21, 2015 at 2:45 pmIn 1987
Kerry Smith
August 21, 2015 at 3:35 pmThey were created in 1987 but named as forever friends in 1989
Katy Berry
August 21, 2015 at 4:49 pm1987
Laura Corrall
August 21, 2015 at 5:15 pmForever Friends launched in 1989. A year after I was born.
Laura Corrall
August 21, 2015 at 5:16 pmForever Friends launched in 1987. I love forever friends, we even had a forever friends wedding cake topper.
Vera Bahounkova
August 21, 2015 at 5:17 pmin 1987
Jenny Rogers
August 21, 2015 at 5:28 pm1987
Alex Fowler
August 21, 2015 at 6:19 pm1987
karen Howden
August 21, 2015 at 6:54 pm1987
Caroline Signey
August 21, 2015 at 7:12 pm1987
Rachel Vallans
August 21, 2015 at 7:19 pm1987 🙂
jen jackson
August 21, 2015 at 7:26 pm1987
Claire Willmer
August 21, 2015 at 7:28 pm1987 first created but first named forever friends in 1989
Jayne K
August 21, 2015 at 7:32 pm1987
Kayleigh-Anne Watkins
August 21, 2015 at 7:41 pmforever friends was launched in 1987, I had the bedding curtains lamps and teddies but preferred snatch back in the day xxxx
Holly Edmundson
August 21, 2015 at 7:51 pm1987 🙂
Rebecca Powell
August 21, 2015 at 7:53 pm1987
sarah
August 21, 2015 at 7:57 pm1987.
Elizabeth Yeates
August 21, 2015 at 8:12 pm1987
Clare S
August 21, 2015 at 8:19 pm1987
Lisa Wilkinson
August 21, 2015 at 8:33 pm1987
Lisa Pond
August 21, 2015 at 8:53 pm1987 🙂
Fran H
August 21, 2015 at 9:06 pm1987 🙂
emma brown
August 21, 2015 at 9:16 pm1987
Diana
August 21, 2015 at 9:32 pm1987
lyndsey
August 21, 2015 at 10:05 pmstarted in 1987 named in 1989
Alex Cuckson
August 21, 2015 at 10:14 pm1987
Sheri Darby
August 21, 2015 at 10:15 pm1987
Minnie15
August 21, 2015 at 10:32 pm1987 🙂 x
Rick Carr
August 21, 2015 at 10:33 pm1987
Fay Eyles
August 21, 2015 at 10:35 pm1987
leonie owen
August 21, 2015 at 10:39 pm1987 this is lovely
Emma Whittaker
August 21, 2015 at 10:48 pm1987 🙂
Angela McDonald
August 21, 2015 at 11:41 pm1987
Charlotte cooper
August 22, 2015 at 12:04 am1987
claire little
August 22, 2015 at 12:08 amlaunched in 1987 named in 1989 and I’ve adored them ever since 🙂
jessica woods
August 22, 2015 at 12:37 am1987 to start but later named in 1989
Rebecca Phillips
August 22, 2015 at 1:09 am1987
laura frost
August 22, 2015 at 2:15 am1987. the year i was born 🙂
Rose P
August 22, 2015 at 4:19 amThe year was 1987
Allan Wilson
August 22, 2015 at 7:27 am1987
Kate Leather
August 22, 2015 at 8:21 am1987 they were first drawn. 1989 first put on cards.
Catherine McGirr
August 22, 2015 at 8:38 amI would have been just 10 years old…..the answer is 1987 ???
david cavender
August 22, 2015 at 8:45 am1987
CAROL PATRICK
August 22, 2015 at 9:07 am1987
LOUISE MORGAN
August 22, 2015 at 9:09 am1987
Tracy Swann
August 22, 2015 at 9:18 am1987
Gillian Hale
August 22, 2015 at 9:26 am1987
Gerri Tennant
August 22, 2015 at 9:28 am1987 first drawn, 1989 firts branded ‘Forever Friends’.
elizabeth wragg
August 22, 2015 at 9:44 am1987 🙂
Laura Myles
August 22, 2015 at 9:44 am1987! When I was a tiny toddler!
susan thornton
August 22, 2015 at 9:44 am1987
Fern
August 22, 2015 at 10:04 am1987 they where first scetched/ designed – but named forver friends in 1989. This would be so so lovely for my baby boy due on christmas day!
emma kinsey
August 22, 2015 at 10:25 am1987
lee eltham
August 22, 2015 at 10:32 amFab prize
Tom
August 22, 2015 at 10:40 am1989
sarah robertson
August 22, 2015 at 10:46 amThis is quite difficult as it wasn’t called Forever Friends until 1989 but the designs and everything were in place in 1987. The prize is super cute. I am 39 weeks pregnant and feeling sorry for myself so this would cheer me up haha or make a lovely present for my wee boy when he arrives…….eventually!!!!
Julie Paton
August 22, 2015 at 12:26 pmForever Friends was first launched in 1987 and lovely they are too 🙂
Heather Tinkler
August 22, 2015 at 12:50 pmin 1987 I believe 🙂 great little idea
CAROLINE WATSON
August 22, 2015 at 1:07 pm1987 my first child was one
Jamie Millard
August 22, 2015 at 1:34 pm1987
Barbara Handley
August 22, 2015 at 1:53 pm1987. I have always loved them from the first time I saw one.
Jill fairbank
August 22, 2015 at 2:17 pmIn 1987 some years back now
Maureen Morton
August 22, 2015 at 2:21 pm1987
Victoria B
August 22, 2015 at 2:36 pm1987
helenRMad
August 22, 2015 at 3:29 pm1987
Jessica Townley
August 22, 2015 at 3:32 pm1987 she drew her first sketch but in 1989 it was trademarked as Forever Friends.
David
August 22, 2015 at 4:11 pmbegan 1987
Angela Morgan
August 22, 2015 at 4:11 pm1987
JILL FRASER
August 22, 2015 at 4:32 pm1987
Cute, Cute, Cute
LEE HARDY
August 22, 2015 at 4:57 pm1987
YVONNE BREWER
August 22, 2015 at 5:21 pmThey started in 1987 but named in 1989. What a cute bear!!!!! Great prize!!!!! 🙂
Sophie Breeze
August 22, 2015 at 5:22 pm1987 🙂 year I was born
angela edmonds
August 22, 2015 at 6:27 pmin 1987
michelle mccall
August 22, 2015 at 6:50 pmIt was 1987 x
Tracey baker
August 22, 2015 at 6:56 pmIn 1987
Tracey Tedford
August 22, 2015 at 7:51 pm1987
victoria thurgood
August 22, 2015 at 7:53 pm1987
Jackie Rushton
August 22, 2015 at 8:10 pm1987
Lucy Carter
August 22, 2015 at 8:11 pmLaunched in 1987 and named in 1989
Karen Dixon
August 22, 2015 at 8:22 pm1987
Matt Brasier
August 22, 2015 at 9:01 pm1987
Natalie Crossan
August 22, 2015 at 10:02 pm1987 to start – but named in 1989
LORAINE DAY
August 22, 2015 at 11:00 pm1987
Eva Churchill
August 22, 2015 at 11:20 pm1987
Rich Tyler
August 22, 2015 at 11:24 pmAnswer: 1987 🙂