Today is one of those days that makes you realise how different everything is right now. As any other year, Today would have seen us up before the dawn and on the frosty streets of Whittlesey to take part in something special...

Because in 'normal' times, today would have been #strawbear day in Whittlesey.

Because for 3 days in January, Whittlesey in the cold Cambs fens goes a little strange.

The origins of the Whittlesey Straw Bear are obscure. Confined as a tradition to a small part of the Fenland on the Ramsey mereside. On Plough Tuesday, the day after the first Monday after twelfth night, a man is covered head to foot in straw and led from house to house.

Led around by a bear-keeper who controls him via a stick & rope. He was made to dance in front of houses in the expectation that gifts of food, money beer or tobacco would be distributed.

Now the bear processes around Whittlesea stopping at the various pubs along the route. And in light of the wider appeal of the festival now as a family friendly event, the bear brings his children along!

And talking of Whittlesea pubs, 5 years ago today I was drinking in one of them, when who should burst in through the door? But Satan himself!

As luck would have it, St George was having a drink at the bar at the time and came over to tell old Nick that he was barred. Satan tried to argue, but things got tense... there was going to be a ruck!

PUBFIGHT!

And before you knew it, Satan won and had killed St George to a chorus of Boo'ing from the patrons. Someone shouts "call the police" to which the response comes "Why? They never normally bloody turn up when you call!"

Old Nick is beside himself with glee. St George lies dead on the floor. "Does anyone know his next of kin" comes the cry. "Not sure, but there's a bloody great Dragon outside in the carpark you could ask" someone shouts back (and there really was)

Luckily a Doctor was found, "what can he cure?" He is asked. He says he can "cure the Itch, Stitch, Palsy & Gout, Pains within & pains without, heal the sick & cure the lame, and EVEN raise the dead back to life again..." which is convenient!

Revived back to full health (and more) by the good Doctor's treacle. Up jumps St George who promptly sets about the Devil and batters him from the pub! Everyone cheers.

Forced to remain outside "No pets allowed" the frantic Dragon is overjoyed at St George's victory!

On this day, Whittlesea is overcome with a carnivalesque atmosphere. Which is at odds with the usually freezing January temperatures. Pubs (and some houses) fling open their doors, local organisations and businesses find creative ways to get involved.

Musicians and Morris sides from nearby and further afield turn up.

Many groups bring along their hobby horses, though one side take the opportunity to show off their enormous cockerel!

But most importantly today would all be about the Bear's mad dance...

Though following in its wake in the crush of the procession mean memories of it feel like another strange alien world now, in our newly distanced reality.

As the afternoon draws on, tired, footsore, head buzzing from both beer and constant close quarters accordion playing, the bears are herded into the final carpark, for one last stumbling shuffling dance.
Tomorrow they will be burned.

After a final night of music sessions, a barn dance and partying. Tomorrow the bear will be iven a last walk out, encircled and set alight. It's all over for another year.

And while it's been quite cathartic reminiscing... Gods I'm missing it. It's a huge hole, and personally marks the start of the "Folk year" for me. Here's hoping we will all be back to something like normal 365 days from today. Maybe I'll see some of you there in 2022? #strawbear