A rush job for Morris Men

FLASHBACK: John Brooks, the 2009 jockey, riding the rushcart through Uppermill

SADDLEWORTH Morris Men are on the countdown to rushcart revelry, which sweeps through the villages later this month.

Jockey Eddie Worrall is gearing up for his first stint in the saddle, which will see him on a lofty perch as his harnessed colleagues heave the vehicle on a seven mile journey.

Saddleworth Rushcart Festival is now in its 37th year, and is one of the biggest Morris festivals in the North of England.

The spectacular festival of colour, music and dance, draws up to 2,000 revellers who line the streets to cheer the cart on its way, and gather in crowds to witness the ancient tradition of morris dancing at venues along the way.

Up to 200 morris men from all parts of the world converge on Saddleworth to show off their nifty footwork, and regularly take part from Australia, America and Vancouver.

But first, Saddleworth Morris Men must spend three weeks cutting down rushes from Pule Hill on Marsden Moor to create the rushcart as part of the celebration of a tradition dating to the 17th century.

It takes precious time and sweat from the dedicated traditionalists to collect three tonnes of rushes and bring them back to Uppermill where the cart is crafted.

It will be 15ft high and wind its way from the Commercial Hotel in High Street, Uppermill, along Carr Lane, to Greenfield then back to Uppermill for dancing outside the museum.

It will then head to Delph and Dobcross, with more dancing along the way, and arrive back in Uppermill at 6pm.

Sunday sees more muscle from the morris men as they face the long pull up Church Road to Saddleworth Parish Church for a service, followed by dancing outside the church and the Cross Keys.

Richard Hankinson, squire of Saddleworth Morris Men, who was jockey in 1992, said: “It’s a wonderful feeling, it’s like looking down from the top of a double decker bus.

“I wish I could do it again, but it falls to the longest-serving member who hasn’t done it before, so it’s very unlikely,” he laughed.

The rushcart begins its tour from the Commercial Hotel at 10.30am on Saturday, August 20,

Contests to find the best gurner, worst singer and a champion morris man wrestler will add to the fun after the service on Sunday.