The annual straw bear festival takes places in Whittlesea, in a bizarre local tradition that entertains crowds and confuses the internet. Participants could be seen dancing through the streets wrapped all over in straw so that they resembled - at least somewhat - bears. According to the filmer, the earliest reports of the event trace back to 1882 when hard-up ploughmen paraded a straw bear around the town for beer, tobacco and beef. The tradition was stopped in 1909 but revived 1980 by the Whittlesey Society. This footage is being managed exclusively by Newsflare. To license this video email licensing@ or call: 44 (0) 203 937 6280 Subscribe to NewsflareBreaking: Connect with NewsflareBreaking Online: ▶Facebook ▶Twitter ▶Google Register now to upload your videos and be notified of paid video assignments
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