Revival
In 1974/75, Peter Ashworth researched the tradition of rush-bearing
in Saddleworth and was fortunate to be able to listen to memories of
the last rushcarts from one or two of the older members of the community.
With the information obtained, Saddleworth Morris Men revived the rushcart
as an annual festival in 1975 to become the first of many in the area.
The rushes are taken from the surrounding moors (with the blessing of
the National Trust) and built onto a two-wheeled cart in a slightly
conical shape thirteen feet high weighing about two tons (if it doesn't
rain) with 'feathers' at each corner formed from bolts or bundles of
rushes each about four inches in diameter held in place by metal rods.
The bulk of the cart is built from lose rushes, they are not tied on.
When completed, the whole structure is trimmed to give a smooth appearance
on each side.
Two Rowan branches are fixed to the top and, on Saturday morning, the
front is dressed with a decorated banner and a man chosen from the ranks
of Saddleworth Morris Men. He sits astride the rushcart for the day
supplied with ale in a copper kettle.
The rushcart is then pulled through the villages of Saddleworth by morris
men invited from all over Britain and, sometimes, from overseas. Around
150 men pull on the `stangs' fixed to strong rope which, in turn, is
fixed to the cart.
On Sunday, the Rushcart is taken to St. Chads Church, Uppermill, where
the top is dismantled and the ruches are mixed with fragrant herbs and
flowers and then symbolically spread in the aisles. After the service
there is an afternoon's entertainment with displays of English male
traditional dance, musicianship, gurning (face-pulling), clog-stepping,
a competition to find the worst singer and weather permitting, a Saddleworth
Wrestling competition (open to Morris men only).
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