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Hooray for the rushes
MUSIC and merriment were in rich supply at the 34th annual Rushbearing Festival.
The streets of Sowerby Bridge were a riot of colour and noise as the spectacular procession rolled through the town and its surrounding villages.
Thousands lined the streets to watch the thatched and decorated rushcart hauled by 60 men, above, clad in panama hats and clogs.
Some spectators had travelled from as far as London, Scotland and even Australia.
The rushbearing tradition dates back centuries to when new rushes were delivered to churches to replace the old ones that had been used to cover the floors.
It has now become one of the most popular dates in the Calderdale calendar after its revival in 1977.
This year's festivities began with a service in St John's Church, Warley, on Saturday.
The 16ft rushcart, weighing a ton and carrying cart maidens Bekki Sutcliffe and Lizzie Clatworthy, was then pulled into town with plenty of well-earned beer stops along the winding route.
They were flanked by hordes of morris dancers, musicians and mummers from across the country.
The festivities resumed on Sunday with a service at St Peter's Church, Sowerby.
The procession made its way through Cottonstones and Triangle to St Bartholomew's Church, Ripponden.
John Coop, president of the Rushbearing Society, said he was thrilled the sun had finally shone on the event.
He said: "We had three years of really grim weather so this is just fantastic."
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Weather for Halifax
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
