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Event bears up well as folk rush in for the fun

Katie Fitzpatrick
30/ 7/2008

HUNDREDS of people turned out in the glorious sunshine to enjoy the annual Rushbearing Festival in Littleborough.

Babies, toddlers, teenagers, parents and grandparents poured into Hare Hill Park and Littleborough Square on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy a varied and exciting programme of events.

They included morris dancing, a Viking battle re-enactment, various charity stalls, a performance by the Curtain Theatre Group and music from a Japanese drumming band.

The festivities started on Friday with a traditional folk sing-along and poetry readings in the Red Lion pub led by Pennines Township manager Sue Thornton and guitarist Mark Ludlow.

The rushcart procession started from the King William IV pub in Shore and made its way to the Caldermoor pub and Littleborough Square.

In the afternoon Hare Hill Park hosted a Viking battle re-enactment and demonstration of Viking living by the Hrafnsdale Herred Society.

They demonstrated various combat styles, costumes and weapons.

Punch and Judy shows, fairground rides and balloon modelling also provided fun for all the family.

More than 2,000 people visited the park throughout the day.

Steve Lister, from the organisers Littleborough Events and Activities Forum, said: "The weather was incredible and the festival went like clockwork.

"It exceeded expectations of what I wanted to happen.

"We had babies in pushchairs and toddlers and teenagers.

"And we had somebody’s granny in a folding chair holding an ice cream with a big beaming smile on her face."

On Sunday crowds lined the streets of Littleborough for the procession which started from the Rugby Club at Rakewood, with morris dancing at Hollingworth Lake visitor centre and the Wine Press.

The procession arrived in the square for more entertainment from Littleborough Brass Band, tai chi demonstrations, drumming by the band Tantara Taiko and stalls including a coconut shy.

The finale was a traditional Pace Egg play by the Curtain Theatre Group.

See Wednesday's Observer for two pages of pictures from the event.