Nothing can rain on dance parade

BUZZ ... a packed Uppermill greets the Rushcart

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CROWDS lined the streets of Saddleworth's villages for the annual Rushcart festival at the weekend.

Saddleworth's morris men wowed the crowds with their dances over the two-day event, despite wet and windy conditions throughout most of Saturday.

The conditions were of particular concern for John Dumsday, who had the honour of riding on top of the 13ft-high Rushcart as the "jockey" while it toured the villages.

John (52) said: "I am excited I have had the chance to be the jockey this year, but I have to admit that I was nervous about the weather."

The jockey is the Saddleworth man who has been dancing the longest with the side but has not yet ridden the cart. With 13 years of experience, John was appointed to the position and given the chance to make the banner for the front of the cart.

Describing it as "the ride of his life", John travelled back to Saddleworth from his current home in New Zealand to be part of the 42nd Rushcart.

One of the people who eagerly awaited the Rushcart, made of bundles of rushes, passing by was Joan Mears (55), from Lees.

She said: "I've missed the last couple of Rushcarts due to family commitments or holiday, so I was determined to be here this time, rain or shine.

"It's a fantastic local thing that everyone can enjoy and I'm so glad that it comes back every year."

Other spectators included Stacey-Ann Lewis and her children Jamie (7) and Lydia (4), who heard about the Rushcart and wanted to see what it was all about.

Stacey-Ann, who was visiting friends in Oldham for the weekend, said: "A few people told me about what happens each year and when they described it I couldn't even imagine it.

"We had to come and see for ourselves.

"The children have loved looking at all the colourful outfits and the dancing. They were mesmerised when it all started."

On Saturday the two-ton cart was pulled around the villages of Saddleworth by Morris Men from all over the country before being taken to St Chad's Church, Uppermill, and dismantled at a church service on Sunday.

Sunday's events also included the traditional Rushcart competitions of wrestling, clog stepping, and worst-singer.

But it was the traditional gurning competition which drew the biggest crowds on Sunday afternoon with adults and children competing to pull the most gruesome faces.

• Check out more Rushcart pictures on our Picture Sales page.

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