Whittlesea Strawbear

We are very sorry to announce that the Straw Bear Festival 2022 has been cancelled. We do not feel that it would be responsible to run an event in the light of the infection rate rise, that could put the town of Whittlesey at further risk. Thank you for your continued support.

Who still needs a 2021 calendar? Straw Bear calendars are now half price – just £3 from our online shop. strawbear.org.uk/shop

There’s still time for you to catch up with anything you missed at #StrawBearOnline, as all our broadcasts from the weekend are still available on our YouTube channel bit.ly/3nOy15U

The #StrawBearOnline team are off to have a well-deserved sleep now, but keep your posts and comments coming. Let us know about your best moments, whether you saw yourself in the archive footage, and share your favourite photos!

That’s it for #StrawBearOnline! Many, many thanks to all the artists who contributed videos, photographers who have let us use their photos, and everyone who has offered help and advice along the way. Read more about them at strawbear.org.uk/artists/fri…

If you haven’t already made a donation to #StrawBearOnline, the donate button is at the top of the artists page. All donations will be shared between festival artists (who have given their time for free) and the Whittlesey Mayor’s chosen charities. strawbear.org.uk/artists/

The grand finale – the burning of the Straw Bear – is at 2.30pm today. A special 2021 edition! Tune in at youtu.be/k65YO9BdEZ8 #StrawBearOnline

Our Sunday showcase concert starts at 1:30 GMT and includes performances from @pcbackshift, Hex, Bayou Seco, @OcknDough, Dave Bailey and Alan Wood; plus Morris and Sword dancing. youtu.be/pOZcoUpglZ0

Whittlesey’s very own sword team, @RockinghamSword, present some of their Straw Bear highlights at 1.15 youtu.be/ydX8Z35RY0E #StrawBearOnline

The #StrawBearOnline shop is still open for all your festival merchandise! Take a look at strawbear.org.uk/shop

Introducing a Straw Bear tradition you might not see if you’re only there on the Saturday – the Plough Light is presented at the Whittlesea churches’ Plough Service each year and are kept in the town’s two churches. These were all made by Peter Sennett.

It’s the final day of #StrawBearOnline today! We’re starting at 12:00 with a live Zoom music session with Tom & Sarah from @FrogCeilidh (book your log in at strawbear.org.uk/whatson/liv…) and the Sunday showcase is at 13:30 bit.ly/3nOy15U

Tomorrow’s #StrawBearOnline activities start at 12.00 with a live Zoom session, and the Sunday showcase concert will be at youtu.be/pOZcoUpglZ0 from 1.15.

Tickets are still available for this evening’s Zoom ceilidh with Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews, and caller Martyn Harvey. It starts at 19:30 GMT and tickets are just £6 per household. strawbear.org.uk/whatson/zoo…

Before the Bear takes his final bow, he performs one final dance on Whittlesea’s market square. At 3.30, here are some of his best bits. #StrawBearOnline youtu.be/5bxXOf2ebNQ

At 3.15, we have some of the Appalachian step dance teams who have appeared over the years, including Hi Jinx, Tanglefoot, Tap & Sync and Cricket on the Hearth. youtu.be/j0EAGurCiwg

If you’re enjoying #StrawBearOnline this weekend, please make a donation using the button at the artists’ page. All donations will be shared between the festival artists and the Whittlesey Mayor’s chosen charities. strawbear.org.uk/artists/

#StrawBearOnline: Stevenage Sword have appeared at every Straw Bear festival! Tune in at 3.00pm youtu.be/2Rq-wtKjdiw to see of their performances over the years.

Molly dancing in its natural home in the Fens! Some #StrawBearOnline highlights are up at 2.45, with archive footage and recent performances, including @7_champs @GogMagogMolly @OuseWashesMolly @pigdykemolly and Old Hunts Molly. youtu.be/KOPbmI_7kgg

Some of the sword dance teams that have appeared over the years coming up at 2.30. Enjoy performances from @KingsmenSword Stevenage Sword, @SallyportSword and @BlackSwanRapper. youtu.be/lILyjBhAns0 #StrawBearOnline