Littleborough Rushbearing Festival 2019

Date published: 23 July 2019

The annual Rushbearing Festival paraded through Littleborough on Saturday and Sunday (20 and 21 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 a multitude of activities.

The weather on Sunday was brighter and after dancing at The Wine Press the rushcart procession headed to The Waterside, before parading to the Square and presenting the rushes to Holy Trinity Church.

Simon France, Chairman of Littleborough Events & Associations Forum said: "It has been a wonderful weekend with lots of people enjoying plenty of great entertainment in the park and the Square. Yet again, Oakenhoof put together a fantastic mix of dance sides and it was great to welcome Danze de San Jose to Littleborough.

"I'd like to thank everyone who played a part in making the weekend happen and all the people who came out to enjoy it."

The photos below are from Sunday's dancing and procession. Groups performing on Sunday were:

• Oakenhoof Cloggers from Littleborough
• Danze De San Jose from Zaragoza in Spain
• Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men from Horwich near Bolton
• Rivington Morris from Rivington near Bolton
• Ryburn Longsword from Ripponden
• The Thieving Magpies from Marsden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Morris dancing at Littleborough Rushbearing Festival on Sunday 21 July 2019
©Rochdale Online