If you're a local, you've probably heard about Whittlesey's Straw Bear, but have you ever been to the festival? It's a great family event and it's the perfect way to round off the holiday season! What's it all about, then?Last year, the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival celebrated its 27th year, but the history of the Straw Bear goes back much further than that. No one is quite sure when the tradition began, but Whittlesey folk seem to have been parading their Straw Bear around the town on the Tuesday following Plough Monday since the nineteenth century.  | | Photo courtesy Straw Bear Committee |
The Bear's original mission appears to have been to entertain the townsfolk in return for gifts of money and food for the local ploughmen. The parade seems to have died out in 1909 when a local policeman took exception to "cadging", as he called it, and banned the Bear from the streets. The Bear bites back!The Whittlesea Society revived the custom in 1980 and a Straw Bear was seen on the streets of the town for the first time in 70 years, accompanied by his keeper and musicians. The modern day bear costume weighs about five stone and 'bear duties' are usually shared between two townspeople.  | | Photograph copyright Terry Harris |
The celebrations begin midweek, but the Straw Bear only makes an appearance at the weekend. Saturday's procession is the main spectator event with over 250 dancers, musicians and performers from various parts of the British Isles performing traditional Molly, Morris, Clog and Sword dancing. There is also American-style Appalachia dancing, street performances and Mummers plays. A decorated plough pulled by a local Morris side is also an established part of the procession. Festival HighlightsFriday 12th January - Concert at the Ivy Leaf Club from 8pm to 11.30pm, this year the event features Sid Kipper and Ock 'n' Dough. (Please note, this event is now SOLD OUT)
Saturday 13th January - Procession (with the bear) and dancing in the streets at various locations in Whittlesey from 10.30am to 3pm
- Storyteller Hugh Lupton at Queen St Methodist/United Reformed Church from 12.30pm to 3.15pm
- Music session with Pete Coe at Whittlesey Library from 2.30 to 3.30pm
- Evening Barn Dance at Sir Harry Smith Community College from 8pm to 11.30pm. (Please note, this event is now SOLD OUT)
- Evening Cajun Dance with Elvis Fontenot and the Sugar Bees at McCains Club from 8pm to 11.30pm
Sunday 14th January - Bear Burning, music and dancing at Sir Harry Smith Community College from 12pm to 3pm
The Whittlesey website has details of how to get to Whittlesey by car and on public transport... | 
