Littleborough Rushbearing Festival 2018

Date published: 23 July 2018

The annual Rushbearing festival paraded through Littleborough on Saturday and Sunday (21 and 22 July).

The Saturday procession began at the King Bill before parading to St Barnabas’ Church for a blessing. From there, it was on to Littleborough Square for Morris Dancing and Mumming outside the Wheatsheaf Pub and onwards to Hare Hill Park for the final dances and multitude of activities.

Sunday saw the threat of rain, but the parade’s spirits were not dampened as they danced enthusiastically from The Wine Press to The Waterside, before parading to the Square and presenting the rushes to Holy Trinity Church.

In Littleborough Town Square, various activities went on throughout the afternoon including performances from Littleborough Band, Sing! Littleborough and more Morris Dancing.

Amongst those observing the festivities were MP Tony Lloyd, Mayor of Rochdale Mohammed Zaman, Councillors Ann Stott, Janet Emsley and John Hartley and former Mayor Robin Parker.

Mayor Zaman said: “This Littleborough tradition goes back to the 10th century and brings people together. Families and everybody are stronger together than they are on their own. It is good to keep the tradition alive and is a true example of community cohesion.

“People work together whether they are singing, performing or running a stall and they keep it going. I wish them all the luck in the future.”

MP Tony Lloyd said: “The Rushbearing is brilliant. It’s a very old tradition that has been brought back and kept up throughout the 21st century. It’s good for the town as it brings people together and it harks back to a common past. Any colour and character together has to be great for Littleborough and the community as people do travel for this. It’s good for all and especially good for community spirit.”

Rushbearing originated when the floors of most buildings – even churches – were earthen, and the commonest floor covering was rushes. Parish churches had their rushes provided by local parishioners, who cut them and carried them in procession to the church.

In the South Pennine districts, it became traditional for the rushes to be transported to the Parish church on decorated carts.

Littleborough Rushbearing was revived in 1991 by Rochdale Morris and Keith Parry and Littleborough Action Group. The festival is now organised by LEAF in conjunction with Littleborough Oakenhoof Cloggers.

Dancers at Littleborough Rushbearing 2018
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