The first of a series of books featuring Paddington Bear is published "A Bear Called Paddington" , the first story is about a bear who is found at Paddington railway station in London by the Brown family. The books are written by Michael Bond and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum. The much loved stuffed Paddington Bear toy with his Wellington boots did not appear until 1972 / 1973.

British Army engineers are blowing up several minor roads crossing from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland, currently the Terrorists are using these roads to hop across the border undetected as most are just small tracks on farmland.