Thousands of spectators flocked to the Fenland town of Whittlesea this weekend to once again ‘Follow the Bear’ and keep one of Cambridgeshire’s most colourful traditions alive. A riot of colour and costumes, combined with a never-ending display of traditional English song and dance, blew away the January blues in good style.
The Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival dates back to at least the late 19th-century, when it became traditional to dress a man or boy (the ‘bear’) in straw and parade him around the town on the Tuesday after Plough Monday, the first Monday after Twelfth Night (January 6). These days, the fun focuses on the Saturday, when the main procession sees several Straw Bears – followed by a plough, local schools and traditional dance teams – take to the streets.
The heavens conspired to open throughout the main procession day this Saturday (14th) but onlookers’ spirits weren’t dampened. Locals and visitors alike had been looking forward to the return of this Covid cancelled festival with gusto and so no amount of adverse weather was going to put a dampener on their day. Even as the wet weather came down in sheets, the jovial, carnival atmosphere and strong, community vibe managed to keep the worst of the chill and rain at arm’s length.
Here are some standout moments captured by the Peterborough Telegraph on what was a truly memorable day.
The heavens conspired to open throughout the main procession day this Saturday (14th) but onlookers’ spirits weren’t dampened. Locals and visitors alike had been looking forward to the return of this Covid cancelled festival with gusto and so no amount of adverse weather was going to put a dampener on their day. Even as the wet weather came down in sheets, the jovial, carnival atmosphere and strong, community vibe managed to keep the worst of the chill and rain at arm’s length.
5. Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival 2023
The Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival has a long association of bringing cheer and colour to what is arguably the most dark and melancholy of months. Some people have said that the festival even gives them "a lift" during the grey, wet and dark days of winter. Photo: David Lowndes
6. Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival 2023.
Of course, it wasn't just the colour and pageantry which thrilled onlookers at the weekend. The music that accompanies the procession is essential for highlighting the carnival atmosphere and getting everyone in the spirit of things. The sound of drums, fiddles and concertinas, combined with the noise of bashed wooden sticks and jingling bells is highly evocative. Here we see a member of the Bourne Borderers Morris bringing music to the streets. Photo: David Lowndes
7. Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival 2023.
As with previous years, the procession culminated in the ‘Grand Finale’ at 3pm, when the bears and their guests performed their final dances at the Market Place. Here we see The Witches Morris performing a vigorous routine. Photo: David Lowndes
8. Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival 2023
A job well done and a day enjoyed by all. The Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival WILL return in 2024. Photo: David Lowndes