VILLAGERS have again turned out in force to keep alive a local tradition which dates back to medieval times.
The annual Rushbearing Festival at Lymm originates from ancient times when carts of rushes made their way to the church for use as floor covering.
Bullrushes and garlands were paraded through the village as part of the festival.
Town Crier Peter Powell started proceedings where he was joined by members of Lymm Parish Council and other 
community groups.
A procession wended its way through the village from Pepper Street to St Mary’s Church, where a special service was held.
Rushbearing owes its origins to the procedure of changing rushes used on the church floors, in the days before carpets, just before harvest, to symbolise a healthy crop.
At one time, Rushbearing Day was virtually a Bank Holiday in Lymm, with shops and offices closing.
But in more recent years it has always been held on a Sunday.
The event is organised each year by local barrister Christopher Limb.
Pictured: Morris Dancers in the procession and, in a break with recent tradition, horseriders carrying rushes.
For more pictures from the event CLICK HERE
