Catch up with the Straw Bear Online videos, in order of appearance that they premiered on YouTube over the 15-17th January 2021.
Don't let this stop you subscribing to our YouTube channel Whittlesea Straw Bear, and clicking the notification bell just incase we end up publishing even more!
DIRECTOR'S WELCOME
Live From 15/01/2021 19:45 GMT
An introduction to the festival and a little background as to why we are having to do things virtually this year with director Douglas Kell.
MAYORAL ADDRESS FOLLOWED BY THE VIRTUAL PROCESSION
Live From 16/01/2021 10:30 GMT
Every Straw Bear Saturday is started by the Mayoral address to the dance teams prior to processing through the town. This virtual year keeps that tradition and we will see the best of the processions of years gone by.
A TRIBUTE TO SADIE HERITAGE
Live From 16/01/2021 11:15 GMT
A short tribute to Sadie Heritage, a Strawbearer, who sadly died in 2020. Includes a reading of her “Straw Bear Poem”.
DANCE TEAMS IN LOCKDOWN
Live From 16/01/2021 11:45 GMT
Some of the Dance teams who have attended Whittlesea Straw Bear in the past demonstrate the creative ways they kept dancing in the 2020 lockdown. With an “isolation May Day morning” from Pecsaetan Morris and Sheffield City Morris, a performance from the Witchmen’s band, and a socially distanced in-person dance from Ely and Littleport Riot.
OUR GERMAN FRIENDS
Live From 16/01/2021 12:15 GMT
An introduction to the Walldurn Strawbearers and their carnivals, as well as the exchanges that have taken place between Walldurn and Whittlesea over years.
Live From 16/01/2021 12:45 GMT
The one and only Keith Donnelly deserves a slot all to himself! Keith has been booked at Straw Bear on a number of occasions for both performances in local schools to Whittlesey and performing at the Ivy Leaf Club on the Friday night concert. Because everybody wants to be a (Straw) Bear!
STRAW BEAR IN THE NEWS
Live From 16/01/2021 13:15 GMT
Some of the press coverage the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival has received through the years.
CONTRIBUTION FROM RED LEICESTER
Live From 16/01/2021 13:45 GMT
Red Leicester Morris showcase some of their many appearances at Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival.
CONTRIBUTION FROM PIG DYKE
Live From 16/01/2021 14:15 GMT
Pig Dyke Molly from Peterborough showcase some of their many appearances at Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival.
MOLLY DANCING
Live From 16/01/2021 14:45 GMT
Some of the Molly dance teams that have appeared at the Whittlesea Straw Bear festival over the years. Enjoy performances from Pig Dyke Molly, Seven Champions, Old Hunts and Gog Magog among others.
APPALACHIAN STEP DANCING
Live From 16/01/2021 15:15 GMT
Some of the Appalachian Step dance teams who have appeared at the Whittlesea Straw Bear festival over the years. Includes performances from Hi Jinx, Tanglefoot, Tap & Sync and Cricket on the Hearth.
A CONTRIBUTION FROM ROCKINGHAM RAPPER
Live From 17/01/2021 13:15 GMT
Whittlesey’s own dance team, Rockingham Rapper, showcase some of their many appearances at Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival.
STRAW BEAR BURNING
Live From 14:30PM GMT
The thing that tops it all off - although it wasn't originally, but has now become tradition to 'burn the Bear'.
FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT
Live From 15/01/2021 20:00 GMT
Relax at home and tune in to a feast of music and songs from some of the country's best artists and some home grown talent from our own Strawbearers.
Featuring Granny's Attic, Jackie Oates, Brown Boots, Ady Bull, Brian Kell, Barry Goodman, and Frog on a Bike.
DANCE TEAM SPOTS
Live From 16/01/2021 11:00 GMT
Some highlights of the Morris dancing seen at Whittlesea Straw Bear over the past 41 years – with a few cameo appearances from the Bear!
Including performances from: Crosskey Clog, White Rose Morris, Haddenham Hoofers, Southport Sword, Red Leicester Mummers, Pecsaetan Morris, Old Hunts Molly, Jaguard Ladies, and Morris Tyler’s Men.
STRAW BEAR DRIVER INTERVIEWS
Live From 11:30 GMT
In a #StrawBearOnline exclusive, we reveal some of the faces behind the Straw Bear as they talk about what’s really involved in being the Festival’s figurehead.
2016 HIGHLIGHTS
Live From 16/01/2021 12:00 GMT
Some highlights of the 2016 festival. Including performances by Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts, Marina Florance, Peeping Tom and the Straw Bear Band.
STORY TELLER SESSION
Live From 16/01/2021 12:30 GMT
Suitable for adults and children alike, enjoy some traditional folk tales with two of the storytellers who have previously entertained us at the Whittlesea Straw Bear festival; Dave Tonge, the Yarnsmith of Norwich, and Hannah Brailsford, Tiny Tales have both created a treat for this year's festival.
2005 DOCUMENTARY
Live From 16/01/2021 13:00 GMT
A short documentary made about the 2005 Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival. Produced, directed and edited by Rebecca Kell.
AFTERNOON PROCESSION
Live From 16/01/2021 13:30 GMT
A continuation of memories from the past 41 years, this time from the afternoon processions.
HOW TO BUILD A STRAW BEAR
Live From 16/01/2021 14:00 GMT
Ever wondered how the Straw Bear is built? Here is your chance to find out!
Brian Kell and Ady Bull reveal the mystery of the figurehead that is the Straw Bear. You’ll see how some old overalls and a lot of straw and string are transformed into the majestic, 6-stone costume that is the main attraction at the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival.
SWORD DANCING
Live From 16/01/2021 14:30 GMT
Some of the sword dance teams that have appeared at the Whittlesea Straw Bear festival over the years. Enjoy performances from Newcastle Kingsmen, Stevenage Sword, Sallyport Sword and Black Swan Rapper.
STEVENAGE SWORD THROUGH THE YEARS
Live From 16/01/2021 15:00 GMT
Stevenage Sword have attended every single Whittlesea Straw Bear festival! Here they showcase a small selection of their appearances.
THE BEAR'S FINAL DANCE
Live From 16/01/2021 15:30 GMT
The Whittlesea Straw Bear appears on the Market Square for a final dance…enjoy some of the most memorable performances from the first 41 years of the festival, including appearances by a variety of young Bears and 2021’s unique “Isolation Bear”.
MUSIC, DANCING AND SONG CONCERT
Live From 17/01/2021 13:30 GMT
The final day of Straw Bear online – a concert featuring some of our friends and supporters who regularly perform at the Sunday lunchtime showcase. Includes performances from Pete Coe, Hex, Bayou Seco, Ock’n’Dough, Dave Bailey and Alan Wood; plus Morris and Sword dancing.