Wet walks go down a storm

Photo: Picture: CHRIS BULL

ON the march . . . Greenfield Brass Band keep spirits high as they lead the walk from St Paul’s

DEFIANT Whit walkers refused to let relentless rain spoil their plans yesterday as they kept the ancient tradition alive.

Hundreds of worshippers joined in displays of solidarity and took to the streets across the borough in celebration despite the gloomy weather.

The samba rhythms of the Bang Drum percussion group provided the soundtrack for walkers in Chadderton as worshippers from Christ Church, St Saviour’s, Emmanuel, St George’s and the Crossley Christian Centre stopped for readings along their journey that took in Sycamore Avenue and Eaves Lane.

A great show of support saw 200 people march with pride in Shaw as members of the United Reform Church, St Paul’s Methodist, Shaw Edge Methodist and the Salvation Army joined forces.

But blustery winds cut the parade short in High Crompton with St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Methodist church braving the storm for a shortened tour of the area.

Father Peter McEvitt, the new priest at St Paul’s in Royton, was stunned at his first Whit walk as over 500 marchers for the joint parade between Trinity Methodists, St Paul’s and the Moravian Church.

Warden Tony Hawkins said: “It was a marvellous turnout, it is such an important tradition that must be kept alive.”

St Anne’s Church in Royton saw 17 children take part in Holy Communion before 200 worshippers marched in the drizzle for a service in the hospital grounds. Churches in Failsworth opted for a prayer walk at various locations.

Walking by water, worshippers from several churches took to the Rochdale Canal bank and Failsworth Health Centre to ask for good health in the borough and Tesco car park to pray about antisocial behaviour and for the young.

Meanwhile, St Barnaba’s Church was packed to the rafters as Dobcross Silver Band played during a joint service with Greenacres Congregational Church, providing members shelter from the storm.

Holy Trinity in Waterhead also celebrated with an indoor service with Dobcross Youth Band.

Archdeacon Cherry Vann was the special guest at a joint parade with St Thomas’s, Werneth, and St Paul’s Hathershaw, as 150 marchers made their way for special prayers at Coppice Nursing Home and Treetops.

Members of the Hollinwood Association of Churches found themselves singing in the rain as the congregated for a ceremony at the Netto car park in Hollins Road at noon.

St Cuthbert’s in Fitton Hill rounded off their open-air service at the Fir Tree Avenue church just before the rain set in. Over 130 people walked from Woodhouse Church while Keb Lane Methodists and Holy Trinity Church united in celebrations.