Ramsey Straw Bear and Ploughwitches
In a small area of the Huntingdonshire Fens, from Ramsey to Whittlesey, a straw bear was lead through the streets on Plough Monday. It is speculated that this may have grown out of a pagan ritual or just maybe an extension of disguising oneself using straw, inspired by dancing bears that used to tour the fenland villages. 2009 saw a Straw Bear dance through the streets of Ramsey for the first time in over 80 years.
Please see some pictures on Colin Turner’s picture gallery.
Ramsey Straw Bear, Jan 11th 2010
Timetable
1pm Straw Bear Procession leaves Ramsey Junior School
1.30pm Molly Dancing at the Abbey Green
3pm Dancing at The George for older residents.
If you want more information please email us or call Gordon on 01328 701254.
The following primary schools danced:
Ramsey Junior School, Benwick Primary School, Alderman Jacobs Primary School, Whittlesey, St Peters Junior School, Wisbech, Glebelands Primary School, Chatteris
Over 500 local school children (250 of which who had been learning to molly dance under the Cambridgeshire Roots Multicultural Dance Project (funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Managed by Cambridgeshire County Council)) accompanied the bear from Ramsey Junior School to the site of the old Abbey.
The Ouse Washes Molly Dancers joined them in displays of molly dancing throughout the afternoon. Peter Brown from Beachamwell in Norfolk was the straw bear and Nicky Stockman (melodeon) and Louise SInclair (piano accordion) the musicians. The event was organized by Gordon Phillips of Norfolk Our World Festivals Ltd