Rushbearing Festival
Rushbearing began in the 10th century when Pope Gregory decreed that rushes should be taken to church on its Saints Day to cover the earth floor for warmth. At Grassmere the rushes are still carried in procession. But in Lancashire and parts of Yorkshire the procession became more elaborate with the rushes being conveyed on decorated carts. The tradition continued in many areas until Victorian times when it was banned for encouraging ‘drunkenness and lewd behaviour’.
Littleborough Rushbearing was revived in 1991 when someone in Rochdale Morris said ‘Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a Rushcart to celebrate our 10th anniversary?’ The project was successfully achieved with the help of Littleborough Action Group and has become an important part of Littleborough’s calendar of events.
The Littleborough Rushcart is paraded through various parts of the town with dance stops at pubs and finally enters the Square led by a local brass band and escorted by local dignitaries.
In 2008 the Festival was extended and began on Friday night with a singaround at a local pub. Saturday also included a ‘Party in the Park’ – a family fun-day with stalls and entertainment. Saturday evening’s celidh completed a busy day. Sunday’s procession takes in Hollingworth Lake Visitor’s Centre and a nearby pub, before entering the town centre for more dancing (including the ‘traditional’ dance by Littleborough’s finest).
This year's event will take place on 30th and 31st July 2011.
