Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival 2021

Cancellation Statement - 20th June 2020



​Due to the Covid-19 pandemic still present in general circulation and as there are no announced guidelines regarding “mass gatherings” set by the UK Government, we regret to announce that as Festival organisers we have made the decision to cancel the 2021 festival. We feel very fortunate to have actually held our 2020 festival in January and as event organisers are truly saddened to have to make this announcement.

Why do this now rather than hope for the best? We have spent significant funds running the 2020 festival and money made at that event would normally be progressively spent or pledged to cover infrastructure, performing artists and other costs of staging the next festival. By cancelling now, we can secure festival funding for future years, when we are assured that the event can take place. As a not-for-profit organisation we have limited reserves so we must act prudently. As the 2020 event ended, planning for the 2021 festival had started but will now be put on hold for 12 months. We hope that we can then recommence and enable an event to take place in January 2022.

We would like to thank all of the active Strawbearers, voluntary organisations, participants and our loyal supporters for attending this year’s event and we hope to see you all in 2022.

Roger Boon, Director Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO HELPS, DONATES AND SUPPORTS THE WHITTLESEA STRAW BEAR FESTIVAL, WITHOUT YOU IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT HAPPEN. Click here for Straw Bear Festival FAQs

We will be operating a Park and Ride scheme again from Sir Harry Smith Community College (PE7 1XE) to Grosvenor Road Bus Station (PE7 1GH).

Running approximately every 15 minutes. For a map to show you where Sir Harry Smith is please click here.

Getting here by Train: 3 car units will be in operation on Greater Anglia trains on Saturday 19th Jan to allow more people to travel by train to and from Whittlesea. Trains from Peterborough to Whittlesea

Trains leave Peterborough for Whittlesea at 7.13, 7.50, 9.50 and 11.50 and take 8 minutes

Return trains to Peterborough leave Whittlesea station at 1328, 1528, 1728, 1928 and 2128 and take 8 mins. Trains from Cambridge to Whittlesea

Trains leave for Whittlesea at 6.58, 7.20, 8.20, 10.26 and 12.20 and take about 1 hour, usually change at Ely



Return trains to Cambridge

Return trains to Cambridge leave Whittlesea Station at 1358, 1558, 1727, 1758, 1958 and 2155 and again take about 1 hour changing at Ely. The 1727 goes to Cambridge and no change is needed. Travelling by train is a popular option - last year around 50 people got off the 10.26 from Cambridge (1128 arrival)!



There is now a 24 hour ticket machine and improved lighting at Whittlesea station. Please check with your rail provider to confirm your travel arrangements as King's Cross could be closed over the Straw Bear weekend and cross country services are subject to change or even cancelled.

A Helping Hand from the Straw Bear These are some of the wide variety of organisations and good causes which have received donations from the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival to help support their individual projects for the benefit of the community.

We have done this for many years now and we will ensure local people continue to benefit providing there are sufficient monies available after all the considerable costs of running the Festival have been met. Not only does the Festival provide a most enjoyable weekend for a great many people, it also helps others through the funding that we are very pleased to be able to make available. JENNER HEALTH CENTRE NEW QUEEN STREET SURGERY SCOUTS AND GUIDES WHITTLESEY CRICKET CLUB WHITTLESEY JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB ST JOHN AMBULANCE SIR HARRY SMITH COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARK LANE PRIMARY SCHOOL WHITTLESEY DISABLED CLUB WHITTLESEY FIRST RESPONDERS ST ANDREW’S HALL (Refurbishment) ARNOLDS LANE XMAS LIGHTS (in aid of Children with Cancer UK) COATES VILLAGE HALL (Roof Refurbishment) ST MARY'S CHURCH ST JUDE'S CHURCH PREMATURE BABY WING PETERBOROUGH HOSPITAL (via Round Table) LOCAL SWORD DANCE TEAMS EAST ANGLIA'S CHILDREN'S HOSPICES B2B CHARITY BIKE RIDE (DEfIBRILLATORS) Whittlesey Museum