Celebratingtradition

It's always wonderful to lay claim to something unique - and the Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing festival is just that - the only one of its kind in Yorkshire.
Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Festival. 400 Roses dance at St Patrick's Sacred Heart, Bolton Brow.Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Festival. 400 Roses dance at St Patrick's Sacred Heart, Bolton Brow.
Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Festival. 400 Roses dance at St Patrick's Sacred Heart, Bolton Brow.

The festival which takes place this weekend (September 3-4) celebrates what happened in the 17th century when local villages would come together to lay fresh rushes on local church floors.

These days this spectacle involves a mammoth procession around Sowerby Bridge and Sowerby of Morris Dancers, Mummers, musicians, folk dancers and a 16ft tall rushcart with a young woman aboard, pulled by 60 men wearing Panama hats, white shirts, black trousers and clogs. Go to www.rushbearing.com for all details.