A “Straw Bear” and dancers wearing an array of colours laced the streets of Whittlesey, as the Cambridgeshire town’s famous festival returned.
The act of parading a Straw Bear through the area seems to date back to the 1880s, when the Tuesday following Plough Monday (the first Monday after Twelfth Night) would be marked by getting one of the members of the plough to dress in straw, hence the name, according to organisers.
This year’s event saw the star of the show excite attendees as various Straw Bears posed for photos and waved at the crowds of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the giant figures, who were accompanied by attendant keepers.
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Many seemed to not mind the rain and dreary weather as the Bourne Borderers morris dancers filled the roads with music and light, as they carried out a performance wearing yellow and green frilly outfits, floral hats and green face paint.
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Sticks moved up and down and game faces were activated as The Red Leicester Morris Men entertained locals.