Sun shines - eventually - for Whit walkers

Photo: Tim Bradley

St Anne's Lydgate and Christ Church Friezland at the Uppermill procession.

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THEY came in their hundreds, oblivious of the icy winds and biting rain, to share and celebrate the unique People’s Day...

From stately hillside churches to a humble chapel, the proud men, women and children of Saddleworth marched in joyous procession to Whit Friday’s united church service at Uppermill.

A shoal of proud banners bearing the emblems of faith and their church and village identity, fused in a glorious swirl of colour along Uppermill’s High Street. Standard bearers steadfastly thrust on ignoring the downpour.

With almost military precision, the congregations marched behind a vanguard of brass bands, bringing rounds of appreciative applause from locals and visitors thronging the crowded pavements.

The music, heralding each villages arrival at St George’s playing fields car park, is an intrinsic part of of this unique day: it bounced, dipped and eddied along the lanes and narrow roads on the proud but familiar routes to the open-air service.

And despite the weather, there were smiles and warm greetings everywhere. For this is a community day of sharing, meeting and greeting old and new friends.

And — despite a battalion of umbrellas and raincoats — in keeping with tradition, the children were decked out in pristine new clothes and shoes by proud parents.

Rt Rev Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton, in a stirring address to the huge crowd, reminded the audience in addition to Whit Friday this year, St Chad’s Uppermill celebrates its 800th anniversary.

“We pray our lives, and the life of the whole Church across these villages, and the breath of life will fill brass instruments with music that moves our hearts to heaven,” he said

Participating churches included St Anne Lydgate, Christ Church Friezland, St Chad Uppermill, Sacred Heart and St William RC, Ebenezer Congregational Church Uppermill, Uppermill Methodist Church, Holy Trinity Dobcross, Uppermill Community Church, Sandy Lane Community Church and Kilngreen.

As the bands struck up for their trek home the rain ceased. Villagers and bands were bathed in warm, bright sunlight. A smiling morn, finally hailed