Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)

Subject: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 03:56 AM

32ND WHITTLESEA STRAW BEAR FESTIVAL JANUARY 2011

Tickets are still available for 2011 Straw Bear, gone are the halcyon days of a sell out by the end of the previous October.

Friday 14th CONCERT with Flossie Malavialle, Bob Fisher and Ruth Price
Saturday 15th BARN DANCE : led by David and Joey Oliver with the band The Hedgehog's Skin and CAJUN DANCE : Elvis Fontenot and The Sugar Bees

Tickets available from Ruth and Rob Taylor on 01733 204055 or write to 4 Delph Street, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1QQ.

Don't forget, in the afternoon, Keith Butters, story teller in Queen Street Methodist /URC Church and in the Library Ock n Dough and Peterborough Poets. A chance to be entertained and get warm, these events are FREE.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 07:27 AM

How I wish we could come, but alas, this is the 3rd weekend in January, not the 2nd, so we'll be elsewhere. We're disappointed again *sigh*

Will it go back to the 2nd weekend in 2012??

Hey Brian, you didn't say 'Gan Canny'

Hils

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: open mike
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 12:53 PM

more about the event and the location:
http://www.strawbear.org.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whittlesey

I never heard of a Molly dance...plough boys....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_dance

this is a different kind of "rapper"
i guess it is like rapier...sword
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapper_sword

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 01:45 PM

Loads of stuff on U tube previous straw bear festivals, including Molly dancing (a type of East Anglian Morris) also Rapper dancing (A linked dance using flexible flat bands of steel with two handles about 2 feet long). The dance was traditionally performed by miners in towns and villages in Northumberland and Durham but now performed all over the world.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 02:11 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: bubblyrat
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 04:26 AM

Nothing to do with either swords or rapiers, but used for scraping the sweat from horses !

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Mr Red
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 06:57 AM

I am there in spirit

And at the Cajun and Ceilidh at the same time! mutter mutter.....

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: treewind
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:15 AM

"Hey Brian, you didn't say 'Gan Canny'"
He's been in the Fens too long !

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 04:25 PM

Just done a school presentation to day with Woody so,ahadtaspeekpropa like.
Gan Canny
Brian

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Fran
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 10:26 AM

Not long now   http://www.strawbear.org.uk/

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 11:39 AM


gone are the halcyon days of a sell out by the end of the previous October.

The cajun dance only appeared on CajunUK today. Maybe some earlier publicity?

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 03:25 PM

Funny enough the Cajun (this year) is doing better than ever before. The evening do's are set to be excellent with the guests we have lined up. I have no doubt we will have a great time,the bad weather we experienced over the past couple of years has put some of the dance teams off (understandable, it is January) but we will still have a brilliant day time show with those who have confirmed they are attending. The proposed day time dancing schedule is now on the web site, all subject to alterations on the day, of course.

I am off to Ramsey Day Centre to morrow to tell them about the Whittlesey revival but I doubt I will be able to sell and Barn dance tickets, but you never know!!

Gan Canny
Brian

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 03:05 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Fran
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 03:32 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 06 Jan 11 - 02:38 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Fran
Date: 10 Jan 11 - 07:42 AM

Peterborough Today news article

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 10 Jan 11 - 06:42 PM

It's all falling into place now, we just hope the rain stays away on Saturday. The Peterborough Evening Telegraph (the link above) has a great picture of the late Bernard East, leading the Bear. Only Friday Concert and Cajun Dance tickets left now. Gan canny brian

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Fidjit
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 02:35 AM

Regards to all. Brian etc. Enjoy the day. I'll be thinking of you.

Chas

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 11:06 AM

Hope you all have a Fab Day and that the weather stays fair!

Wish we could join you, maybe next year if it goes back to the 2nd weekend!

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Fran
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 11:45 AM

Maybe if its so important you could give this one priority next year whenever it is on.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 11:52 AM

Alas Fran, the 3rd weekend is important too. Besides, the 2nd weekend has been traditionally used sice it was revived (as far as I know) except for last year & this year. I'm just hoping it will go back to the 'normal' weekend.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 01:20 PM

Straw Bear 2012 will be 13, 14 & 15 January. The straw bearers decided to move the event away from New Year week. I think, for the moment, it will continue to be the saturday after plough monday (the first monday after 12th night). When we revived the event it was always the first Saturday after 12th night so there were times when it was before plough monday, but things became difficult when it was too close to new year. Using this way to work out the date it was possible to have a Straw Bear on the 7th January. The proper day is tuesday after plough monday. All the best Hils, Gan Canny. Brian

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: LesB
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 02:43 PM

I'll be down there with Southport Swords. Going Fri night(to see Flossie, & looking for a session on Sat night.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 02:24 AM

Thanks for info Brian, I'll get back to the Bear sometime, hopefully!

Know you'll all have a Fab time, don't forget to wear 2 pairs of socks! Enjoy!

Gan Canny *grin*

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 01:11 PM

I wore 2 pairs of trousers in 2009. Just to walk to the Ceilidh.

And sheepskin mittens to sleep in as well! It were cold that year.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: treewind
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 02:31 PM

It won't be that cold this year. Worst thing to worry about it whether it will rain, or how much. Met office forecast looks reasonably promising.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 04:18 AM

Apologies in advance, as I won't be there this year - hopefully next!
Memsahib and self drove to and from Newcastle last weekend, and am still paying for it in lost sleep, and wouldn't look forward to the 4.45 a.m. start so I could catch the first train to Peterborough.

Best wishes for the day, and esp to the Mepal Lads (at least that's one less broken broom to worry about!)

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 03:51 AM

Wheatman - hope everything went okay on Saturday. The WSB programme arrive on cue. The info@strawbear email box is full so I couldn't contact you. If there is an alternative way of contacting you, please tell, as you've asked for mine.
I look forward to reading reports via the Evening Telegraph website.

Gan canny, ye narrr!

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 05:06 AM

This is obviously a wonderful event. The only trouble from my point of view is that its new date clashes with the Sussex All-Day Singaround at Barcombe, which has been held on the third Saturday of January for at least the past fifteen years.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 05:51 AM

In the current issue of The Countryman, there is an article about the Ramsey straw bear & Plough Monday celebrations in Ramsey, is this one & the same?

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: treewind
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 05:56 AM

It went really well.
It didn't pour with rain like last year, the temperature wasn't -6C like the previous year, and the Sun even came out on Sunday for the burning of the bear.

As for my part in the proceedings, I'm pleased to report that Pig Dyke turned in a good show despite rather variable standard of dancing at practices prior to the event.

Wheatman may have other things on his mind right now - I think it's no secret that he was expecting to become a grandfather yesterday...

I don't think this year's late timing for Straw Bear is intended to be a permanent thing.

There's lots of videos on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Fran
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:10 AM

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/community/video_thousands_take_part_in_straw_bear_festivities_1_2313050

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,Wheatman
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 11:58 AM

Flossie Malavialle complemented her tour of the 4 primary junior schools with a stonking Friday night concert aided and abetted by Bob Fisher, Ruth Price and Tommy Sennett.
The street scene on the day flowed around town without a hitch, the invited dance teams presenting some brilliant displays in very mild weather. The dancing programme included 4 local junior teams who danced their socks off. Who says
the festival is not playing it's part in providing continuity to the folk process!
During the day, Ock'n Dough gave a great performance in the Library. This was complimented for a 2nd year by a group called Poets United, a Peterborough based poets society, who add a different twist on the event. As usual the storytelling sessions in the Queens Street church were will attended. May this variety of events last for a long time.
Straw Bear day ended with blistering performances from Elvis Fontenot and the Sugar Bees and the Northumbrian bias based band The Hedghog's Skin
BUT the icing on the cake, was on Sunday, Rebecca gave birth to Jasper Jon Kell (6lb 15ozs) in Peterborough at 16lb 15oz. OH BOY did we have a birthday party last night.
Gan Canny
Brian

PS Jim we have no connection with the Ramsey Bear

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 12:28 PM

oops should have said 16:15 hrs
Gadaffi my e mail is [e-mail]. Sorry the web site box is full but Douglas has been rather busy of late
proceed with care and trepidation (Gan Canny)Brian

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 12:55 PM

It was grand! The weather was warm though cloudy it was a dry day. Weatherspoons had revived the 'George' (love 'em or hate 'em they altered the atmosphere of the square compared to last year when the place was boarded up) and the dancers were all keen to get started on this season's dancing. Lovely event and well worth the trip down just to hear a local punter turn to his little girl and tell her, "We're so lucky to have this in our village!" He's dead right!

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 06:21 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,Rattler
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 06:33 PM

Saturday was much enjoyed by Rattlejag Morris. The schedule was intense, but that may be a good tactic to keep everyone warm in January. The final highlight was the Bear joining in our last dance in the Marketplace (pic.s on our website). Thanks to Brian & team.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 03:54 AM

The Web site is now open for messages

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 05:55 AM

Glad to hear The George was open. It's the saddest thing in the world when, arriving in town on the bus from Peterborough' you find a deserted market square with a boarded-up pub in the corner, a I have too often over the last ten years. (Not to mention a delapidated former Post Office (is that used for anything now?) As Paul D says, like them or loathe them, Wetherspoons now is the steward of what makes a really good WSB tick!

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Fran
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 07:19 AM

The old post office is covered in scaffolding, being turned into apartments.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 12:47 PM

Thanks for the kind remarks Rattler and Paul

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 04:13 PM

This you have got to see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO3mlHvHty4&fea but I cannot get the blue clicky thingy to work

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 05:18 PM

Wheatman's YouTube link here!

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 05:28 PM

Made the link above and then found time to watch it too. Fantastic video, really caught the spirit of Straw Bear! That Bear had a real spring in his step this year.

I hope we don't miss the Bear next year. Very glad that the square as come to life, Wetherspoons isn't all bad then *grin*

Well done to Brian and the Straw Bearers!

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 05:44 PM

Thanks Hills

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,Bellsandthings
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 03:44 PM

Wow! That Bear was amazing! Who was the bear on the Market Place in the afternoon?

It must have been a different person in the Bear last year as it had no rhythym at all and gave a rather poor show.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,Yorkshire Lass
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 04:54 PM

I agree 2010's Bear was poor.

We come down to the festival each year and the 2009's and 2011's Bears danced and danced really well.

A big big thank you to the organisers for keeping up this quality festival. We can't wait for next years festival looking forward to it already.

PS Congratulations for the new arrival he will have a cracking birthday party each year!

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: GUEST,folky friend
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:48 AM

Well done to all the organisers

best festival in a long time.

well done to the Bears shame about the drumming I felt sorry for the rest of the band

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Wheatman
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:49 AM

In 2009 the drivers were Douglas Kell and Tom Sennett, in 2011 they were Luke Crick and Tom Sennett. At first the costume is very stiff and quite difficult to manage. After the change over it is wet and smelly but more pliable and thread bear (yuk). This is why the bear usually dances better in the afternoon and evening. The Whittlesea Bear is the only bear we know of, that dances.

Subject: RE: Whittlesea Straw Bear 2011 (UK)
From: Fidjit
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 06:27 AM

Nice one Hills and Brian. Well done. That's how I like my bear.

Chas