A new year and a new experience, the Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival. We have been in West Anglia for about a year now and recently heard of a new Old Twelfth Night custom, the Whittlesey Straw Bear. It’s similar to some of the Molly and Plough Monday traditions found elswhere in the country but may be unique in having a parade with a straw bear. From limited research this may be a European tradition that has migrated to the area which has it’s very old links to Holland in the Netherlands
So the Horde and I set out on a journey to see the fabled Straw Bear of Whittlesey. Whittlesey is not a big town but we needed to park a little ways out and walk in and there was a healthy buzz in the town. Local business had set up outdoor bars and BBQ’s and the closed main roads were full of people. It was a real family occasion.
We missed most of the parade to our eternal shame. We did however see many of the Morris troops that had come to take part.
Red Leicester – not just a cheese.
The Leicester Morrismen were our first dance. They were very friendly and told me they’re celebrating thier 70th anniversary this year.
Pig Dike Molly
Next we watched the local Pig Dike Molly in their very stylised black and white garb. Whilst not the most polished team on show they were very friendly and invited some of the spectators up for a dance. An opportunity that A-Bomb was all too keen to up.
Barfront Guizers – my first Mummer experience
Whilst we wandered around town making our way to the Market Square and the pub. Refreshment is essential on these raids,. We came across the Barfront Guizers. These mummers were telling a tale of St George. A-Bpmb and the Terminator enjoyed this and whilst Danny Boyle may not be on the phone anytime soon there was a lot of charm to the performance.
After trips to pubs, cafe, toilets and the usual paraphenalia of a day out with the horde we returned to the Morris dancing.
Hemlock Morris
Attracted by the black and purple of the Hemlock Morris we popped over to watch. Like many of the teams they had eleaborate head gear, but the accordion player’s had to be in contention for hat of the day.
Manor Mill Morris
Manor Mill Morris are a cambridge based side whose ladies wore clogs. Sadly the rain prevented me getting more shots of this interesting group. We also saw them outside the New Crown in what looks to be an older part of the town.
Gog Magog
Gog Magog were easily the most distinctive team we saw with their decidedly untraditional garb. But their high energy molly was a lot of fun to watch and they were a pretty well drilled team.
The King’s Men
Probably the most traditional looking of the morris men we saw on the day. The King’s Men are a King’s Lynn based team with the Blue and Yellow of the town incorporated into their kit.
Clausentum Morris
This team, small as they were, had some energy that I didn’t really capture. They’re originally from Hampshire but now are based in my old stomping ground of Oxford. Stick throwing, jumping and a bright red costume made them stick out.
Bourne Borderers
The Bourne Borderers were the team we saw the most of in the day and they certainly seemd to be enjoying themselves. Touches of steam punk in thier head gear, bright cloaks and a large team of well drilled morris men.
All in all we had a very enjoyable day in Whittlesey. It was well organised there was a pleasant family atmosphere and there was always something to watch or do. A-Bomb and the Terminator enjoyed themselves and I would happily visit again next year.
Post Christmas update
We visited Bourne woods during the Chrsitms holidays. There were lots of woodland shelters that had been built which the mosters enjoyed exploring.
Our own winter celebrations continue as we get ready for Twelfth night and Wassailing our orchard.
