What in the world is a Straw Bear Festival??  You may well ask!
Ever since moving to East Anglia last summer, I have wanted to witness this event - the last remaining straw bear festival in England, which takes place every January, in Whittlesey*, near Peterborough.

Believe me, nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of the 'Bear', which looks more like a moving haystack.  Mind you, after a while, you do start to see it as a lumbering, dancing bear, accompanied by its 'handler' and a motley array of Molly dancers, Morris men, and blokes (it is mostly men!) in makeup and strange costumes.
 
                

        The Straw Bear in all his glory!                                       Part of the procession of different bands of 'Molly Men'



The bear and his entourage process around the town at various times throughout the day, chased by spectators (and plenty of local press), eager to get their own pictures and lasting mementoes of the day.

The event harks back to the days when agricultural work was scarce in the winter and so farm labourers would beg door to door for money - the various 'Plough Monday' festivals around the country were a form of organised begging.  The Straw Bear festival at Whittlesey is the last of its kind in England and the tradition was only revived in the 1980s.  Although it no longer provides for farm workers scraping through the winter, it still makes a bright splash of colour and zest for life during the dark days of January - and certainly gives a boost to the local economy, since all the hotels and B&Bs get booked up months in advance and the local pubs and cafes do brisk business throughout the three day festival.
   
                                      
              The German bear, from Walldurn (twinned with Whittlesey), getting decidedly frisky with a bystander!
This year, there were three bears - two from the home town, and the German bear, who was clearly out for a good time!


There is real ale a-plently, good food, a wonderful spectacle, and a great vibe to the whole event - there is story-telling, barn dancing, various styles of Molly/Morris dancing, and the 'bear' is given a final, dignified sendoff on the Sunday, when the costume is ceremoniously burnt. 

I tell you folks, it made me proud to be English - this is possibly one of the few remaining genuine rural spectacles to be had in England.  this is no 'Disneyfication' of Merrie Olde Englande; this is the real deal, and - believe me - the participants take it VERY seriously!  There is no limp-wristed flapping of handkerchiefs and skipping like girlies - these Molly Men mean business and you are never quite sure whether they are dancing or fighting with each other. 

 
                                               
            The 'Squire' of Bourne Borderes Morris Dancers - a really friendly and knowledgeable guy!


Having said that - and, given the amount of real ale flowing through out the three days -  the atmosphere is extremely friendly and perfect for a family day out.  The event is very well-organised and policed, and everyone is exceedingly good-natured.  If you have never been to the Straw Bear Festival, and you find yourself within hailing distance of Whittlesey next January, then, beg a car, hitch a lift, buy a train ticket - do whatever you have to, but GO!  This is one event you won't want to miss!!

*Although the town is called Whittlesey, the festival uses the older spelling of 'Whittlesea' - if you google this you will find all sorts of information, and the history of the Straw Bear Festival.

** A full feature on the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival will appear later in the year in Teddy Bear & Friends magazine.