A very cold Saturday morning saw the Haddenham Hoofers travelling over 80 miles to Whittlesey near Peterborough to take part in the annual Straw Bear feastival.
This festival, following Plough Monday (the 1st Monday after Twelfth Night) dates from when no one quite knows and died out at the end of the 19th century but was revived in 1980. The Straw Bear - a man dressed in a straw costume and his attendant keeper lead a procession of over 250 dancers, musicians and performers from various parts of the British Isles performing traditional 'Molly', 'Morris', 'Clog' and 'Sword'. There is also American style 'Appalachian' dancing, street performances and Mummers plays. A decorated plough pulled by a local Morris side is now a established part of the procession.
Following the procession, street dancing and entertainments take place. Some of the dancers, musicians and entertainers perform in the local halls and pubs.
At the end of the day, the Straw Bear is ceremoniously burned (minus the man inside of course.)
For more information visit http://www.strawbear.org.uk/
The Straw Bear Procession
The Hoofers danced in the street in the morning with other Appalachian groups. The temperature was -3!
Junior Hoofers braving the weather
How to play the banjo in -3 temperatures, accompanied on guitar by Matt Morton.
After visiting the soup kitchen laid on by the parish church for lunch, The Hoofers spent the afternoon performing in the 'Childers Hall' - slightly warmer!
It was an enjoyable day, particularly when we joined forces with other Appalachian side musicians to play for the dancers.
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