Pulling in the crowds

TOP of the world: Eddie Worrall wasn’t going to let a fear of heights stop him from riding Saddleworth’s 15ft-high rushcart.

CROWDS flocked to the colourful spectacular at Saddleworth’s popular Rushcart Festival at the weekend.

Despite being afraid of heights, brave jockey Eddie Worrall loved every minute of his seven-mile adventure, sitting proudly on top of the 15ft bale tower constructed in three weeks from Pule Hill rushes.

The sun shone as the stack made its way along the crowd-lined high street where 150 morris men from across the country accompanied the rushcart from Uppermill to Greenfield and back.

It then headed on to Delph and Dobcross. Visitors enjoyed visiting the morris men’s special shop, which sold hankies, bells and CDs. There was also a chance to watch clogs being made while sampling delicious home-made ice-cream.

The festivities continued until Sunday evening with some wacky competitions.

“Very Sicknote” won the worst singer contest, Pete Ashworth was hailed the best gurner and best wrestler was David Holland. Even more revellers turned out to see the stack take on the long pull up Church Road to Saddleworth Parish Church, accompanied by, of course, more dancing. Squire Richard Hankinson said: “It was an absolutely cracking weekend. The turnout was up on last year. We’re already looking forward to next year.”

Rushcarts are an old tradition in the region, but largely died out in the early 20th century.

In 1975, the Saddleworth men again built a cart and one has been built each August since.




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