No jingling bells say the Morris Men

Saddleworth Morris Men

The traditional sound of jingling bells on clogs will not be heard across Saddleworth at a heritage festival.

Saddleworth Morris Men will not be standing their colourful annual Rushcart Festival because of the coronavirus.

A spokesman for the side said: "After much discussion, Saddleworth Morris have made the heartbreaking decision to cancel this years Rushcart.

"This has not been a decision made lightly, but we cannot see a way for the event to be the spectacle it should be in light of current government advice and proposed timelines.

"The health and wellbeing of our lads, fellow Morris dancers and musicians, families, friends and the general public, who are always out in force, is more important.

"The Saddleworth Rushcart will be back in 2021, as big and as noisy as ever!"

And he added: "If guidelines allow, we hope to dance out locally later in the year. Stay safe, and we hope to see our friends and supporters soon."

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