Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival
Late summer 1979, I proposed to the Whittlesea Society, that there should be a revival of taking out a Straw Bear, on the street, in early January. The tradition which took place on the first Tuesday after Plough Monday (the first Monday after 12th Night) fell into decline in the beginning of the 20th Century. The proposal was met with some approval but was to take place on a Saturday to allow more people to see the proceedings. The revival took place on 12 January 1980.
I wanted the event to be more than an exercise in cadging, as Sergeant Palmer told me, when I went to the police station to explain our intentions “You know why it was stopped don’t you” he retorted.
Over the years the event has been allowed to develop into the 4 day festival it has now become an insight into British Folk drama, song, music and dance (in particular dance). There are many in the town that have never experienced a time without Straw Bear as part of their lives. A local saying has been born “Never mind New Year let’s have Straw Bear”. Visit our website for more information at http://strawbear.org.uk
Brian Kell BEM
President Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival
