The bells will be ringing, the roads will be lined and the famous cart will once again roll through Saddleworth this weekend as one of the area’s most treasured traditions celebrates a major milestone.
Saddleworth Morris Men’s Rushcart Festival returns on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, with a record number of Morris sides expected to take part as the event marks its 50th annual Rushcart.
The spectacular traditional cart, standing around 16ft tall and weighing approximately three tonnes once complete, will make its way between Saddleworth’s villages accompanied by Morris dancers, musicians and supporters.
And with thousands expected to encounter the festivities over the weekend, organisers have issued important information about the route, timings and temporary road closures.
Saturday’s route
The celebrations begin in Uppermill at 9.45am, when the cart will emerge from the Commercial before heading towards Greenfield.
From 10.30am until 11.30am, the Morris Men will be at the King William IV and Road End in Greenfield, with Kinders Lane closed to traffic while dancing takes place.
The cart then returns to Uppermill, stopping at The Park, Hare & Hounds and the Museum between 12pm and 1.15pm.
From there it heads to Delph, with activities around Gartside Street and the White Lion from 2pm until 3.30pm. Gartside Street will be closed while the cart is stopped and dancing takes place.
Dobcross is next, with the cart visiting The Swan Inn and Band Club between 4pm and 5.15pm, before moving on to The Navigation from 5.30pm until 6.30pm.
The cart is due to return to The Commercial in Uppermill at around 6.45pm.
Sunday celebrations
Sunday begins at 10am, when the cart once again leaves Uppermill Square.
A Rushcart service will take place at St Chad’s Parish Church from 11am until noon.
Church Lane outside the Church Inn and past St Chad’s Church will be closed, with access available only from the Diggle side.
From noon onwards, festivities continue around the Church Inn and Cross Keys, with Morris dancing and the traditional worst singer and gurning competitions among the entertainment.
Change to the usual route
There will be one notable change this year.
Organisers say the cart is again unable to travel down Carr Lane because of low-hanging trees.
Instead, after visiting Greenfield, it will return towards Uppermill along Chapel Road.
Saddleworth Morris Men say they have spoken to the council regarding existing parking restrictions on the alternative route and apologised to residents of Carr Lane who will miss seeing the cart pass their homes.
Expect some delays
Roads will not be closed while the Rushcart is travelling between villages, meaning traffic is likely to move slowly while the procession passes.
Organisers are asking motorists to be patient, stressing that any disruption should only last a matter of minutes.
Road closures will instead be introduced at locations where the cart stops for dancing.
High Street outside The Commercial in Uppermill will also close very briefly at around 9.45am on both mornings as the cart is brought onto the road, with a slightly longer closure on Saturday while dancing takes place.
Keeping the cart rolling
Collection buckets will accompany the cart throughout the weekend and will also be available at dance locations.
Saddleworth Morris Men rely on donations to help meet the increasing cost of staging the festival each year and are encouraging spectators to contribute whatever they can.
Special Rushcart badges will also be available for £4.50 each.
Why does Saddleworth have a Rushcart?
The tradition stretches back centuries.
Churches once commonly had basic earth floors, which would be covered with fresh rushes to make them more comfortable for important occasions.
As settlements grew, those rushes had to be collected from further afield. They were initially transported on sledges before eventually being piled high on carts – giving rise to the Rushcart tradition.
Individual villages began creating their own carts and competing to produce the largest and most elaborately decorated displays.
Saddleworth is now one of the few places where a traditional Rushcart survives, with the construction itself requiring weeks of work.
Rushes are cut, tied and gradually built up in stages, allowing them time to settle before further height is added.
Fifty years of a revived tradition
This weekend’s event carries particular significance as Saddleworth Morris Men celebrate the 50th annual Rushcart Festival.
The side itself was founded in 1974, performing its first dance in the Border tradition before learning the Ashton dance from Derek Froome of Manchester Morris Men and adopting the North West tradition which has remained at the heart of the group ever since.
Half a century of Rushcart festivals later, the sight of the towering cart, flower-covered hats and bells will once again fill Saddleworth’s streets – with a record number of visiting Morris sides helping make the anniversary weekend one of the biggest yet.
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