Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Wheatman
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 02:31 PM

Yes I know it continued after 1909 but it is generally accepted that the over zelous inspector of police made moves around then to stop SB, according to the Golden Bough. The writer, non other than the nephew of Sir Harry Smith was a Whittlesey man though not living in Whittlesey at the time. I suspect the real reason for SB going to sleep was the 14 - 18 war. I am sure the event, at the start of the 20th centry was nothing like the event we have now. I think the main reason for participating in SB then was to demand money with menaces and that was why it was as unacceptable event in the eyes of a certain strata of society in the town. The task before the strawbearers is to enhance the positive and minimise the negative.,

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 12:25 PM

Stewart and I had a wondeful weekend in Whittlesey.

The locals couldn't have been nicer, very friendly and helpful to these strange folkies who invade their town for the weekend- but the thing is, this festival is THEIRS and they enjoy sharing it with others. Some others festivals feel as if they are 'grafted on' to the place where they are held, and the locals have no stake in it.

It was only really Saturday evening that the pubs got full of drunken youngsters, the rest of the weekend the town was very pleasant. The police and the publicans seemed to deal with the problems very well, not letting trouble spread into the other pubs.

We had a lovely sing in the back bar of the Boat. The landlord gave us a few songs too when it had quietened down a bit :0)

Looking forward to next year!

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 10:42 AM

... actually, despite what is published elsewhere, the local newspaper reports Straw Bear Tuesday being held as late as 1913, so whatever happened in or before 1909 wasn't its last celebration.

There did seem to be more non-folk people around this year. The Letter B was packed, as was the Boat. The Hero had its annual beer festival, and it was good to see the George open again after last year's debacle.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: IanC
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 08:17 AM

Police closed it down.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Widmerpool
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 07:40 AM

Why, what happened in 1909?

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Lilith60
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 07:22 AM

Don't think Whittlesey is any worse than many other small towns on the youth-on-Saturday-night front. Yes, it's getting worse year after year - all those cute kids that found fun in the dancing 5 or 7 years ago have grown up and have nothing to do and nowhere to go. When the pubs stay open late for Straw Bear they think that all their birthdays have come at once. Holmfirth was more rowdy in 2006 than in previous years. Wath-upon-Dearn is "interesting" on a WEEKDAY evening! One of our local pubs has shut because of weekend fighting and that's in a very small town. But, Whittlesey is their town - we are the visitors and if WE behave the police can have no complaint about Straw Bear. And yes, the Folkies need to behave! I came across a group of Morris Men peeing behind a wall and later on someone in kit being sick in the gutter. Not very nice nor very polite to the locals. The majority of us visit for one or two days a year - they live there for 365! It's their town, not ours...

(and Bodger, don't rise to the bait - the sour grapes are so rank I can smell them in the Pennines!)

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Wheatman
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 05:38 PM

As far as I can gather Seven Champs did not turn up on the day.
There was trouble in town on saturday evening. I do not think there were any folkies involved but we will have to check with the land lords for the answers rather than rely on heresay. Yes, one of the pubs has trouble most evenings.
What is clear there will have to be discussion with the Police and the County Council regarding the future. Unfortunately we think the event will have to become more prescriptive if we are to avoid a repeat of 1909. You have probably seen the last Straw Bear in its present free and easy foremat.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Wheatman
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 05:24 PM

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Bill t' bodger
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 02:27 PM

dear guest Black Borderer where is your local festival?

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: IanC
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 11:43 AM

No. For some reason they weren't there. We had to go on a bit fast in one or two places because they weren't around. Don't know what happened to them.

:-)

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 11:11 AM

The programme said that the Seven Champions were in town. Did anybody see them and, if so, who was in them? I was performing with Mepal Molly so didn't see anything.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Black Borderer
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 10:12 AM

Mr Fox came to my local festival a few years back, from what I heard they won't be asked back. It's a nice idea but half the team couldn't dance in time. You can get away with anything if it's dark any you have a few sparks and bangs.

BB

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 10:05 AM

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: IanC
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 03:49 AM

Apparently, drunken fights are a feature of a number of the Whittlesey pubs on a Saturday night these days, especially The Hero. Some speculation that it might get shut down sometime soon.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 04:19 PM



Yes,we noticed them, they all appeared to crawl out of the woodwork just after the finale. First year it's been that noticeable.

Shame

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: LesB
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 01:48 PM

What a warm Whittlesea. We enjoyed ourselves again this year (Southport Swords), although our Sat night tour was a bit lackluster this year owing to the drunken younger set having taken over a lot of the pubs. (The Hero was closed by the police). We had our usual warm welcome at The Railway and were treated to a 'feather duster sword dance'! by members of Persephone.
At our first stand on Sat morning, outside the Black Bull we made a sword & broom lock (6 swords & 3 brooms)with some of Mepel Molly. Did anybody get a photo? If so can they e-mail it to Les Brown ( e-mail address on our website).
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Lilith60
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 03:10 AM

Wonderful Straw Bear Brian. Great teams, great procession, great music, great pubs. Shame you couldn't do anything about the wind though, it really made the sparks fly!

And...

Matthew 12 43 -45
43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Lilith60
for
Mr. Fox

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Mr Fox
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 04:54 PM

Didn't you enjoy our little bit of fun again Brian?

We really enjoyed the hospitality and atmosphere especially in the Bricklayers

See you in church again one day

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Mr Fox
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 04:51 PM

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 02:55 PM

What an interesting read, the mythology carries on. Thanks to all who came and enjoyed, both old and new. I'm knackered now and so are the rest of the Strawbearers. Hope you don't have sore heads and you all made it back home without incident.

A message to Mr Fox, "get thee behind me Satan"

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: bubblyrat
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 04:28 PM

Dear Chas, Happy to oblige ! May I kiss Joan for you by proxy ??
Roger---(aka Bubblyrat & Signor Tottoff )

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Fidjit
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 06:01 AM

Anniecat
Regards to Bill and Joan when you get to the Cross Keys from Chas.

I couldn't make Straw Bear either. Didn't know the Bee had changed hands. Obviously changed phone numbers too as I've been trying to ring Chris (the last landlord) for ages and ages.

Chas

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Anniecat
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 06:25 PM

Sadly,old Bubblyrat and I couldn"t make it this year, as I have been poorly & am saving strength for Miskin.Sorry to have missed the Friday night session with Pig Dyke. Last year"s was a Hoot !! Old miseryguts missed playing in the Sunday afternoon band too--but he"ll make up for it at the Cross Keys in Wallingford on Tuesday, no doubt !!

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: IanC
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 04:54 PM

Well ... uncharacteristiclly good weather and the usual tour de force from Stevenage Sword.

The chippie (now Chinese Takeaway), being closed we danced in Ali's Kebab Bar and it's probable that it will become the new official chippie spot - the chips weren't bad either.

Another bit of good news is that the pub formerly known as The Bee (previously the Letter B), having recently got a new & v. friendly landlord, is now called The Letter B (please don't mention bees or beehives near him).

Soory I only saw you briefly Les ... I thought I'd see you later in the Brickies!

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: WolvoWanderer
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 07:17 PM

Mortons Fork closed absolutely ages ago and is now flats

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: LesB
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 02:26 PM

The people at The Railway always feel a bit left out (It's a little bit out from the center), & we (Southport Swords ) usually finish our Sat night tour there & are made to feel most welcome by the locals. Last year Mally & a few refuges from the Falcon irish session were there & we did turn & turn about with them. They ended up playing a set dance for us & we still got to the Bricklayers for the last hour or two. Is there an English music session anywhere on Fri night?
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Fidjit
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:34 AM

Been four years in a row now. Can't make it this year as I'm "Giging" in Dingle, Sweden. My bed is available at, "The Bee". Ring Chris (Nice lady) Give her my apologies. Been trying to ring but always engaged!
You always have to book a year in advance at Whitlesey.

St Andrews hall is always good. Pig Dyke Molly hold fort there on the Friday.

Saturday night ceilidh always good. Sunday concert which is free also. Musicians get to join in as the band.
Bricklayers is the place on Saturday night/Sunday morning

New Crown at lunch time on Saturday. Good meat pies outside.
The Boat they say is good but I've always been elswhere and it was always quiet when I went there. Obviously wrong time of day when I did go there..

Pete Coe is there this year and I can't be. Dam!

Chas

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Noreen
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 04:28 AM

******brrrrrrrrefrrrrrrrrresh********

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: IanC
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 03:40 AM

Actually, it can be warm.

I remember eating outside a pub with blue skies and a lovely warm June-style day one Saturday lunchtime at Straw Bear. Must have been 15 years ago, though.

:-)

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 05:43 PM

Hey Noreen, looking forward to a nice warm New Year hug from you & Stewart!!!

Alan, reckon the BBC don't know about the Fens weather, should we tell 'em, or just turn up with extra warm stuff as usual?

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 02:52 PM

I will be there with my Stewart and lots of warm clothes!

Looking forward to a good pint or two in the Bricky's - and elsewhere no doubt... and a good sing with friends :0)

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: alanww
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 02:29 PM

Hello Hils etc
Its going to wonderfully warm this year or so says the BBC weather forecast. In fact, 12c in the day and 11c at night!
But if you believe that, you'll believe anything! I say its going to be fearfully cold, as usual! Winter wooly underwear is a must and two duvets for in the campervan.
Shimrod who felt that "singers weren't very welcome" must have gone to the wrong session!
"... when I heard of some ringing, some dancing and singing!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 12:15 PM

Three days to go....

I'll be there with Chiltern Hundreds (Saturday) and Pig Dyke Molly (Friday). If anyone is stuck for anything to do on Friday night, St Andrews Church Hall makes everyone welcome for a mayhem-ish evening of singing, dancing and Pig Dyke's infamous "play".

Sarah

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Scrump
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 05:35 AM

Unfortunately I'm unlikely to get there after all (I've been roped in with helping move son's furniture on Saturday now, and Sunday I have a session in the afternoon and folk club in the evening). Hope it goes well though - and I'll look out for the 2008 one.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 05:24 AM

About four years ago, the chip shop in the High Street was bought out abd is now a Chinese takeaway which doesn't open until late afternoon, when all the rapper teams are tucked up in bed.

Stevenage Rapper always made it their first stand - inside the old chip shop with little Billy Crawford doing the back somersault in absolutely no room! The best they could manage in 2006 was a stand outside the library. Another of their venues used to be the Morton's Fork, but I understand that its landlord didn't want the Festival so that's no longer used. Stevenage may probably best be seen inside the crowded Boat later in the day.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: LesB
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 04:54 PM

Some of the Rapper teams do little tourets around the pubs on Sat eve. We (the Southport Swords) will be doing a bit of Sword (with our special indoor 'short' longswords) and a bit of Rapper Sat eve.
A word of warning to first timers you may have to be prepared to do the take away chip shop thing on Sat night as there are very few eating places in Whittlesey & they get booked up well in advance.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: My guru always said
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 03:22 PM

At least 2 pairs of socks Lynne!!

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Leraud
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 12:49 PM

I'm going and looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 11:42 AM

Well Scrump if this is going to be your first time I think you're in for a treat. Enjoy but as others have said - wrap up warm.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: IanC
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 11:38 AM

Well, Scrump, you're welcome ... just make sure you wear your thermal underwear. The wind around there is lazy ... don't bother going round you, just goes through you.

:-)
Ian
Stevenage Sword

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Scrump
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 11:30 AM

Ah, OK - thanks for the extra info, folks. I guess those posting the messages earlier just assumed that everyone would know about the event, where it was held, etc. - I'm sorry to say I didn't, not having been there before.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: My guru always said
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 11:21 AM

Just to elaborate Scrump, the Straw Bear parades around the town followed by all the dance Sides during the Saturday. Can't remember what time that starts as I tend to get there too late for it. The dance sides have programs to dance at a variety of the pubs in the town throughout the day. I think the final dancing is in the square at about 3. There is a programmed rapper-dance in the Fish & Chip shop on the Saturday morning too.

There are music sessions in a lot of the pubs on the Friday & Saturday nights as a direct result of being inundated with wonderful musicians who are with the dance sides. There are Singaraounds too (mainly the Boat and the Letter B), but these are usually in different pubs from the music as it all tends to be a bit noisy (huge sessions are in the Brickmakers)!!

On the Sunday morning the Straw Bear is burnt (very sad) and there are usually a couple of dance displays at that venue.

By the way, it will be cold.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 11:08 AM

Look on the website at http://www.strawbear.org.uk, click on Festival 2007 and then on Saturday procession. You will find a map showing the procession route, dancing spots and pubs. The procession leaves the Ivy Leaf Club at 10.30 then just "follow the bear". Finale dancing in the market square at 3 pm.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: IanC
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 10:45 AM

Er ... scrump ... the venue's the whole of Whittlesey!

:-)

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Scrump
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 10:13 AM

Er... thanks IanC, but I was really thinking of the venue for this event (building, street, etc.) I guess I should have been more specific in my question.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: IanC
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 10:06 AM

from WWc ...

Whittlesey is a town in the north-west of the Isle, 6½ miles east of Peterborough and 11 miles west of March. Its 'island' rises to 26ft above sea level, and is about 3 miles long and ½ mile broad.
The town is situated at the intersection of the road from Peterborough to March with that from Ramsey to Thorney and Crowland. The latter (B1040) is planted with trees on the Thorney side of the town, a pleasant but unusual feature in this part of the country; from it fine views of Peterborough Cathedral may be obtained.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Scrump
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 09:29 AM

Can anyone tell me where it is? The website I found (http://www.strawbear.org.uk/Festival%202007.htm) has a link to the directions (www.whittleseyweb.com/transport/index.htm) but the latter link doesn't work.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,Phil Watson
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 06:22 AM

Having NEVER missed a Straw Bear, (including the first one) having for many years danced it with Old Hunts Molly, Ouse Washes Molly, Chesterton Molly and Scragenz Morris, I shall of course be heading there next weekend, despite my having moved from my native East Anglia in the summer , sadly only as a spectator. I can say that Friday at Straw Bear wouldnt be the same without the 'alternative' concert as organised by Tony Forster and Pig Dyke Molly, and despite the bodhran problem the Brickies has the best beer and is full of my mates (i apologise i only play kazoo)
Its genuinely the best Festival i attend.
Phil Watson

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: GUEST,neovo
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 03:33 AM

If I remember rightly the Saturday evening music session in the Brickies was overtaken by a plethora of bodhrans to the exclusion of melody instruments. Now, whilst one well-played bodhran can enhance a melody session I'm not sure about fifteen of the things played badly constituting a session in their own right.

Subject: RE: Whittlesey Straw Bear 2007
From: Carol
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 02:57 PM

refresh just as a reminder