After a conversation with Flora see other thread I went in search of the Congleton bear
"Congleton Bear, Congleton Bear
They sold the Church Bible to buy a new bear"

It seems that the true story was more complicated. In 1600 The town bear was a source of income at the town wakes, but when it died they borrowed (and repaid) the fund for replacing the town bible to buy a new one.
Strange to think of a time when town bears were more common than books.
Congleton still has a bear , it sponsors a rescued Moon bear