THE annual Whitworth Rushcart celebrations took place at the weekend.

On Sunday, the procession left Whitworth Museum featuring numerous traditional morris dance troupes, including the famous Britannia Coconutters and the Whitworth Morris Men, led by the Rushcart itself.

Whitworth’s Rushcart history goes back hundreds of years. Initially the celebration was linked to the cutting and collection of rushes to be strewn on the bare earth or stone-flagged floor of the church as a form of insulation for the winter to come, taken to the church on the cart.

Out of this grew a celebration which was enjoyed by the whole community. In the 1970s and 1980s the Rushcart was the highlight of the Whitworth Fair week.

In recent times, the week-long festivities have passed into history however the popularity of the Rushcart itself in Whitworth is strong.

The Rushcart now takes place on a Sunday afternoon each September rather than its traditional Friday night slot, and has become more family-focused.

This year, the regular dancers were joined by Rivington Morris and Bradshaw Mummers, a street theatre group performing traditional and contemporary plays based on the medieval mumming traditions.

Rivington Morris are a women’s morris team who have developed a reputation over the years for energy and precision.

Organisers wish to thank all our dancers and volunteers who made this event the success it was.