Appeal issued to save much-loved Saddleworth rush cart showpiece

A heart-tugging appeal has been launched to save a colourful, much-loved Saddleworth tradition.

Each year Saddleworth morris men organise the Saddleworth Rushcart Festival, when sides from around the country and overseas gather to celebrate the tradition of rushbearing in Saddleworth over one weekend - this year on Saturday August 24-Sunday 25.

On the Saturday, complete with a 13ft high connicle tower of rushes, the two-tonne cart is pulled through villages and a variety of morris sides dance at selected venues.

The festivities continue the following day in Uppermill where sides continue to dance and perform to accompanying folk music.

The whole event marks a tradition revived in 1975 and continues to be a key event in the Saddleworth calendar.

The event is self-funded through public support and donations, but the pandemic forced the Rushcart to be cancelled for two years with little opportunity to fundraise. 

Now funding is desperately needed for this year's event and to prepare a long-term strategy to ensure the Rushcart continues.

The side must pay for of a traffic management company to assist with road closures and provide an appropriate level of medical cover throughout the event.

The redoubtable morris men are committed to raising funds themselves and have organised a Beer Festival to be held in August. 

Their Squire, David Biggs, said: “This year Saddleworth Morris Men celebrated their 50th anniversary and are looking forward to the 50th Rushcart in 2026, delayed by covid.

"We are at a point where many of the people of Saddleworth will not remember there not being a cart. 

“That said, each year it’s gets harder and harder to secure its future.

"Recent legislation has requiring the event to have professional traffic management, certificated first aid responders and increased personnel to marshal the route.

"Whilst we understand the need for these services, they come at a cost. 

“The total outlay for this year's Cart will be around £5,000, and even on the very best (driest) Rushcart festival we would not get close to breaking even from collections and badge sales. 

“We are looking at many other avenues to raise money for the event, including a beer festival and our JustGiving page.”

He added: “Saddleworth morris men will continue to put on the Rushcart as long as we are able to, but if it gets to the point where we cannot pay the bills for the services we must have then I fear it will end. 

“As with many traditions like this, sometimes people don’t know what they have got until it’s gone."

The Saddleworth morris men have opened a GoFundMe page which you can donate to by clicking here

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