Bosley, Congleton's new bear turns back the clock 400 years

As Bearmania draws to its 2011 close The Directors and volunteers at Congleton Beartown Ltd. Are pleased to announce that Congleton will turn back the clock 400 years and have its own bear. Far from it being the traditional bear associated with Congleton, a dancing bear tormented by dogs, this will be a Moon Bear that will be rescued from a bile farm and be re homed in a bear sanctuary courtesy of the participants of Bearmania 2011.

Bear bile has been used in Asian medicine for thousands of years. The bitter yellow fluid is made in the liver, stored in the gall bladder until it is released to help break down fats during digestion. Traditionally it is believed to 'relieve internal heat’, but its supposed powers are myriad and it is prescribed for everything from hangovers to cancer and is found in products from edible powders to shower gels.

Gill Maltby the UK Director of Animals Asia will be attended the Charity Bearmania Ball and auction on Saturday 8th of October at the Lion and Swan Congleton to receive the cheque for the rescue of “Bosley”. More...

Local Charities will also benefit from profits made from Bearmania. The bears will hibernate this winter in Capitol Walk Congleton with 20 bears forming an indoor spectacle in the windows.

Bearmania has been a fabulous success in putting Congleton on the map , 16 radio interviews, 5 TV slots and to many to count newspaper column inches including a feature in the Financial Times. Plans are in place for next year with several “bear” events and the bears will be used in the Congleton Beartown Half Marathon “sting in the tail” on Sunday 9th October.

Group that with short listed for awards in the How-Do UK Public Services Communications Awards 2011 -

• Best community relations campaign.

• Best partnership engagement initiative.

• Best local community initiative.

• And winning Best Community Website for mybeartown.com in Cheshire Civic Pride Awards 2011

It would appear that we are truly "the little town with a big heart" that beats and performs like a city.

Congleton Beartown Ltd. Would like to thank its numerous volunteers , the town council, the schools , Cheshire East , the artists, the bear owners and the creativity of the towns children who made this outdoor art exhibition possible.

 

Paul Bates, on Behalf of:

Dawn Gibbins MBE, Ellen Senior and Margaret Williamson MBE.

Directors and proud.

Congleton Beartown ltd.