The Whittlesea Straw Bears take a break at the pub after processing through the town in Whittlesey, United Kingdom. The Whittlesea Straw Bear is an ancient agricultural tradition that takes place the following Plough Monday (the 1st Monday after Twelfth Night). A member of the plough team was adorned with straw and paraded through the streets of Whittlesey to entertain the community. The spectacle declined at the end of the 19th century but was revived in 1980 by the Whittlesea Society and today the procession contains dancing, music and performances from around the UK. The Straw Bear costume can weigh in at 5-stone and as such the "Bear" is guided by two handlers on its journey through the town. I January 13, 2024 I 📸: dan_kitwood I #GettyImages #GettyImagesNews #Whittlesea #StrawBear #Whittlesey #UK