Barrowden Rush Strewing

The rush-strewing ceremony at Barrowden is closely related to the rush-bearing ceremonies and celebrations of North-West England, and is an example of a survival of the festivities surrounding the renewal of floor rushes in church. In the days before stone-flagged floors, rushes were a useful way of keeping the surface relatively clean and a few places still carry out the old tradition of replacing them annually. At Barrowden, the floor is covered just before the weekend of the Patronal Feast of St Peter which is usually the last weekend in June. Because rushes are less plentiful these days, hay is often used, and it’s kept down for around three weeks nowadays (it used to be for six weeks), or as long as the local hay-fever sufferers can put up with it!

Helpful Hints

In 2025 St Peters Feast weekend should be 28th/29th June and the floor should be covered just before this (to be confirmed).

The Sunday Service is at 11am – check with church contacts for access arrangements before travelling to visit at other times.

For the village website click here: http://www.barrowdenvillage.co.uk/

Click here for the Church website: http://wellandfosse.org/

For church contacts click here: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/search/?lat=52.592238&lon=-0.6041749999999411&place=Barrowden%2C+Oakham+LE15+8EE%2C+UK&text=

Photo by Keltek Trust.