Bid to create Littleborough folk music and dance team

Photo: John Cannell

Littleborough Rushcart Parade

Littleborough Rushbearing Festival takes place every July and is arguably the highlight of the Littleborough events calendar.

However, since the demise of Rochdale Morris two years ago, Littleborough has been lacking a local dance team. Instead, Littleborough has been entertained by teams such as the Thieving Magpie from Marsden and Hornbeam Molly from Knaresborough.

The festival organisers, LEAF, now hope to add a local team to this year's event.

Very enthusiastic local children (and their parents) attended a meeting at Littleborough Conservative Club to start the ball rolling and Littleborough's newest addition to the folk scene has been born.

A name for the team has yet to be decided but they now meet every Tuesday at 7pm in Littleborough Conservative Club for dance practice. A folk music session will take place every month from 4 March at 8pm, although musicians would be welcome to come earlier if they wish to accompany the dancers.

A spokesman for LEAF said: "If you're a budding folk dancer or folk musician who wants to get involved, please come to the Conservative Club on Tuesday night. There is no age limit so dancers and musicians of all ages would be welcome.

"LEAF also need stewards, helpers and cart-pullers for the event so get in touch if you want to get involved."

Rushbearing is an English tradition and has taken place in many towns and villages around the country for centuries - but Littleborough's festival is a rare one. It is thought that Littleborough is one of only four towns that still parades the Rushcart. The others being Sowerby Bridge, Saddleworth and Whitworth.