| Where: | Saddleworth, West Yorkshire - Saturday all around surrounding villages, Sunday procession to St Chad's Church, Uppermill |
| When: | 2nd weekend following 12th August |
| Time: | All day - Sunday service 11am |
The origins of the Rushcart are similar to the traditions of rushbearing which survives in Cumbia, but which have evolved in a different way. Rushes were gathered for strewing on the church floor and a boundary-walking processional element was common. At Saddleworth, the local Morris side revived the moribund local tradition of gathering the rushes in a two-wheeled decorated cart and bringing them back to St Chad’s Church at Uppermill ; a single “jockey” sits atop the cart which is about 13 feet tall! On the Saturday the cart tours the local villages and on Sunday goes to the church, accompanied both days by around a hundred morris men from all over the country, and of course a band. Expect also to see gurning, wrestling and singing.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it should be on Saturday 24th and Sunday 26th August. The full schedule will appear on the Facebook link below near the due date.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/saddleworth.morris
and here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/20993635587
which route will the Rushart be going this year as the road up to the church is closed ?
Hi! Contact the organisers direct on http://www.morrismen.saddleworth.org.uk/ and they’ll be able to give you all the up-to-date info. I’d check for you but am doing visits for the website this week and my internet isn’t very reliable- hope you enjoy it!
Averil
What’s the planned route this year, tried web page but it doesn’t look like it’s up a running dies anyone know the times and route for saturday?
Hi Rob, They don’t appear to have put the route up on the Facebook page yet, but I found this on the Visit Manchester website:
Saddleworth Rushcart Festival 2022
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August 2022 (from 10am)
The weekend begins with Saddleworth’s performance of the Uppermill Rushcart Dance, before the ‘cart is taken to Greenfield, and then onto Delph and Dobcross after a short break back in Uppermill. On the Sunday it is taken up Church Road, where dancing, fun and games can be seen outside the Church Inn and the Cross Keys, while the ‘cart watches on from its final resting place for the year outside St Chad’s Church.
Not much in the way of timings but hopefully something will be published by Saddleowrth Morris to help with that,
Best wishes,
Averil
I’m in one of the Morris sides performing and the information we have been sent is,
Saturday, Meet outside the Commercial, Uppermill 09.45. Leaves for Greenfield at 10.15. Returns to Uppermill for 12.00. Leaves at 13.30 for Delph and Dobcross, back to Uppermill for 18.45.
Sunday, Meet at the Commercial at 10.00. The cart is pulled up the hill to St. Chads for 11.00. Dancing etc. until 16.30.
Thanks Jeff- that’s very helpful!
Best wishes,
Averil