Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Dance > Colourful carts at Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing

Colourful carts at Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing

By Caroline King - September 4, 2014Posted in : Dance, Fair, Food & Drink, Music, TOP-STORY

Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing - White Rose Morris Men

White Rose Morris Men.

When: 6th & 7th September 2014

Where: Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire

£: Free

What is it?

The annual Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing first took place in 1977 to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.  This year’s rushbearing event takes place on 6th and 7th September 2014.

Rushbearing ceremonies were common in times before churches had proper seating for its parishioners.  The floors of churches were covered with rushes in order to make them more comfortable.  Once a year the worn out rushes would be replaced with new ones and this annual chore was turned into a celebratory event.

Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing - Bradshaw Mummers

Bradshaw Mummers.

These days there are only a handful of rushbearing ceremonies that still take place.  The Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing is possibly the only one to take place in Yorkshire.  The event takes place over several days every September and the focal point is a sixteen foot high, two-wheeled,  decorated and thatched rushcart.  The cart is pulled by sixty local men dressed in Panama hats, white shirts, black trousers and clogs, accompanied by musicians, mummers and folk dancers through the streets of Sowerby Bridge and Ripponden.

Each year a team of around 15 people create a new rushcart for the festival, which takes about a week and a half to construct.

On the Friday night there is a traditional pre-rushbearing get-together at The Puzzle Hall Inn in Sowerby Bridge, with live music and ale.  On Saturday there is entertainment around Sowerby Bridge Market, with the popular rushbearing charity and crafts market and performances by the Friendly Brass Band.  Then, on the Sunday afternoon in Ripponden, there is a village fete.  The rushbearing procession arrives in the village during the afternoon with the presentation of rushes, morris dancing and a service in the church.

The colourful rushcart procession is a unique spectacle as it takes the nine-mile route through local villages over the course of the weekend.  The procession sees a team of young ladies taking turns to ride on top of the cart and stops are made at the churches along the way to hand over the rushes and there are dance performances at the local public houses.

More info: www.rushbearing.com

Related Posts

  • Food flinging fun at the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships
  • Make a song and dance for the Saddleworth Rushcart

Tagged With: Free events, Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing, West Yorkshire events, Yorkshire

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

HandleBards hit the pedals again to bring you a summer of outdoor theatre
HandleBards A Midsummer Night's Dream ©Rah Petherbridge Photography

The HandleBards are a Shakespearean troupe who tour by bike. And to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they’re climbing back into the saddle…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · Contrary Life