Excited crowds lining the streets of Whittlesey hushed when a steady drum beat resonated around the town heralding the arrival of the straw bear.

People from across the country had flocked to the Fenland town to witness a spectacle quite like which could not be seen anywhere else in Britain or, indeed, the world (apart from, maybe, Walldürn in Germany).

Did you go to the festival? What did you think - was it the best ever? Comment below or email the editor at eteditor@peterboroughtoday.co.uk with your views.
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First to make an appearance was the bear himself. Despite his body being encased in a five stone suit of straw and his head being completely concealed in a dome of the stuff, he managed to jauntily troop along the streets.

Then followed an eclectic cavalcade of dancers, musicians and entertainers – ambassadors of ancient English customs.

Morris men, dressed in quintessential white outfits with bells jangling and handkerchiefs flying, were joined by dancers wearing bizarre outfits made of coloured rags, clog dancers, Molly dancers, accordion players, sombre bands marching along with blacked out faces and people walking around with piles of leaves on their heads, to name a few.

While lively and colourful dancers streamed by, there was also a darker, mysterious and almost Pagan feel to the festival based on a tradition of folklore, Fenland ritual and farming – traditions which are unfathomable to most of us in modern day society.

The town was brought to a standstill at various times on Saturday after the parade took to the streets at intervals.

For Whittlesey woman Lynda Day (54), the event has become as much a family tradition as one for the town.

For the past seven years her granddaughter, Isobel Ippolito (7), has spent the night with her before the festival and then gone on the watch the parade.

Joined by her other granddaughter, Imogen (4), she said: "The children really look forward to it. We love it. They even have their own bells."

Isobel said: "I really like the dancers."

Cheryl Chapman (39), from Wisbech, brought her children Harriet (9) and Isobel (7) along. She said: "This is our third time, we love it."

Linda Segal travelled all the way from Ilford, Essex, on an organised coach tour to attend the festival. She said: "I have never been before and I didn't know what to expect. It certainly is very different."

Member of Comberton Molly dancers Peter Belcher, who was dressed up as woman, or Lady Molly, said: "It is a wonderful event. It is funny though that more people recognise me in this outfit than they do at any other time of the year!"

The straw bear himself, Joseph Cornell (22) was taking on the role for the first time this year after stepping into his father's shoes – or rather suit.

Speaking before the parade he said: "I've been building up all year for this. The suit weighs an absolute ton, but never mind, I'm sure I will get round it eventually."

Whittlesey mayor Pam Potts said: "I would like to thank everybody who organised the straw bear. It is absolutely fantastic, an awful lot of work goes into it."

On Sunday the festivities came to a dramatic climax when the straw bear, minus Mr Cornell, was set alight on a bonfire at Sir Harry Smith Community College.


ET reader Stephen Brudenell sent this photo. He said: "The blonde lady had been grabbed by the German Straw Bear, who has reputation with the ladies !

"He spun her round several times and she seemed to enjoy every minute."