copy of a reply to an adverse letter about the event sent to the Cambs Times set out below. Visit their web site and the peterborough Evening Telegraph for some great pics

"I wonder what pleasures Ms MCFARLING gets out of life following her posting about the Straw Bear Festival. I also wonder what she personally does to enhance the image and the profile of Whittlesey and the surrounding area. I have spent the past 30 years of may life with a great number of passionate volunteers putting Whittlesey on the international map (mostly at our own expense) through our Strawbear and other related activities.

To take her point of view to the n'th degree, all the major sporting events and major festivals (including The Royal Ascot, The Lord Mayors Show, Henley Regatta, Knotting Hill Carnival, The East of England Show and hundreds more) should be banned be because alcohol is consumed (in some cases to great excess especially drinking of over priced Champagne at Royal Ascot).

The history of Straw Bear is quite clear. It is a celebration of the turning of the year conducted by the working man. What the Strawbearers have done is created a winter community carnival. The joy on people's faces on seeing the Straw Bear and his entourage on Saturday was a real tonic. Ms MCFARLING obviously does the correct thing and leave town with her bar-humbug attitude. If she leaves town on the day I wonder how she knows what goes on or is her posting hearsay?

As far as the mess is concerned it is no worse than a normal Saturday night but the financial spin off from the Straw Bear Festival to others (not the Straw Bear organisation) is considerable.


Brian Kell
President
Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival"