Rushcart ready for its starring role

Volunteers help to complete the Longwood Thump before the weekend’s Rushcart Festival. Pictured are (top, from left) Paul Hankinson, Dave Biggs; (front, from left) Carl Taylor, Dave Yates, Richard Hankinson, Graham Wood and Dave Holland

THE rush is nearly over for morris men in Saddleworth as they put the finishing touches to their impressive creation.

They have spent weeks gearing up for this weekend’s revelry and are now nearing completion of the giant tower that will carry rushcart jockey Eddie Worrall.

Huddled away at the Commercial Inn, in Uppermill, the team has been beavering away to bind together the 15ft bale that they will then heave on a seven-mile journey tomorrow.

Weeks of cutting down rushes from Pule Hill on Marsden Moor was followed by careful construction in their efforts to provide a fitting centrepiece.

The colourful spectacular always draws a crowd of thousands to the streets of the Saddleworth villages.

Morris men are set to arrive from across the country to show off their nifty footwork at the rushcart festival, now in its 37th year.

The cart will begin its journey from the Commercial at 10.30am, travelling along Carr Lane to Greenfield then back to Uppermill for dancing outside the museum.

The rushcart then heads off to Delph and Dobcross before arriving back in Uppermill for more fun at 6pm.

More muscle will be on display on Sunday as they face the long pull up Church Road to Saddleworth Parish Church, and dancing at the Cross Keys.