DATES FOR THE DIARY

31 January Up Helly Aa, Lerwick, Shetland

Sleepy Shetland is suddenly ablaze on the last Tuesday of every January in celebration of Up Helly Aa, an echo of ancient Norse rituals. A torchlit procession led by a thousand Shetlanders dressed in full Viking garb culminates in the burning of a huge wooden longship, followed by much merry making through the town.

www.uphellyaa.org

13-15 January Whittlesea Straw Bear, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire

A revival of an ancient Fenland custom of dressing up a straw bear to see in Plough Monday. Led by a keeper, the straw bear parades through the streets with morris dancers, musicians and costumed attendants. The straw is cast onto a bonfire, and everyone heads to the pub for dancing. www.strawbear.org.uk