A “Straw Bear” and dancers wearing an array of colours laced the streets of Whittlesey, as the Cambridgeshire town’s famous festival returned.
The Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival made a dramatic return over the weekend, following a two-year break due to the Covid pandemic.
The custom fell into decline towards the end of the 19th century, before being revived in 1980 by the Whittlesea Society.
More than 250 dancers, musicians and performers from various parts of the British Isles also attended.
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.
Pig Dyke Molly Dancers showed off their impressive make-up skills and artistry, with one decorating her face to almost replicate a chess board and others sporting giant black and white bows and feathers.
