Community comes together for Whitworth Rushcart procession

Date published: 05 September 2024

Crowds gathered in the streets of Whitworth for the eagerly-awaited Whitworth Rushcart event on Sunday (1 September).

The procession left from Whitworth Museum featuring numerous traditional morris and other dance troupes including the famous Britannia Coconutters, Thieving Magpie, Az Kabile and the Whitworth Morris Dancers, all led by the rushcart itself.

Photos: Mike Bisson

Whitworth’s rushcart history goes back hundreds of years; initially the celebration was linked into the cutting and collection of rushes to be strewn on the bare earth or stone flagged floor of the church as a form of insulation for the winter to come, taken to the church on the cart.

Out of this grew a celebration which was enjoyed by the whole community. In the 1970s and 1980s the rushcart was the highlight of the Whitworth Fair week; in recent times the week-long festivities have passed into history however the popularity of the rushcart itself in Whitworth is strong.

The rushcart now takes place on the first Sunday afternoon in September rather than its traditional Friday night slot and has become more family-focused.

The event is organised by Whitworth Town Council’s Tourism and Leisure Committee (TLC) who also had the help of a team of volunteer marshals to help ensure the parade could take place safely.

The event, say organisers, would not be possible without our community coming together and it is events like this that show why Whitworth really is a great place to live. The TLC are always looking for new members to help to organise such days.

Anyone interested in joining them can contact info@whitworth.gov.uk or come along to their next meeting on Wednesday 18 September at 7pm at The Ashcroft, Whitworth, OL12 8DP.