Lymm Rushbearing

Where: Lymm, Cheshire- Dancing all around centre of the village, Procession starting at the Lower Dam, then the Dingle and ending at St Mary's Church for a short service
When: Sunday nearest August 12th
Time: Dancing from 2.30, Procession at 4pm & Service approx 4.30

 

Lymm is one of the few locations in which the once-common custom of rush bearing still takes place. Back in the days when churches had cold earth floors, the annual renewal of rushes on the floor for cleanliness and warmth became an occasion for celebration. Most of the surviving customs are in the northwestern corner of England and some involve rushcarts and flower covered bearings. At Lymm, as well as the Thelwall Morris Dancers in their incarnation as Lymm Morris, resplendent in their flower bedecked hats, you can expect to see a procession including local WI members, councillors and civic officials and members of the Youth Club all carrying rushes and garlands to the church, where a special service follows with appropriate and well-known hymns. The parish church is dedicated to St Mary, so the festival is held near her feast-day in August. Before the procession you can catch the dancers performing at locations around the village centre – listen out for the music and you’ll easily find them.

Helpful Hints

In 2024 it should be on Sunday 11th August.

All are welcome and we had a very enjoyable afternoon when we visited in 2019 – the whole event has a very friendly atmosphere and it’s a pretty location for photos.

Click here for Thelwall Morris Men : http://www.thelwallmorris.org.uk

and here for Lymm Morris’ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LymmMorris/

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