VILLAGERS managed to dodge the showers for the annual Lymm Rushbearing Festival – a ceremony believed to date back almost 200 years.
Deputy Mayor of Warrington Cllr Geoff Settle, joined Town Crier Peter Powell, villagers, local community groups and Morris Dancers, to parade through the villages carrying rushes, to St Mary’s Parish Church, where a special service took place.
The event stems from a local “wakes week”, including the Rushbearing ceremony, which took place in Lymm as early as 1817 when Morris dancing was part of the tradition.
But it is possible the festival dates back even further.
The rushes were used to carpet the floors of the church and were changed on “Rushbearing Sunday.” The ceremony is believed to be unique to Lymm.
Deputy Mayor Geoff Settle
Morrismen keep the tradition alive