Pictures Chris East
THE ancient tradition of Lymm Rushbearing returned to the village yesterday, Sunday, and was greeted with fine weather and a good turnout.
Local dignitaries including Warrington South MP Andy Carter joined villagers to process from the Lower Dam through the village to St Mary’s Church carrying bullrushes gathered from local waterways.
The origins of Rushbearing dates from the Middle Ages and Lymm is one of the few remaining communities across the UK that continues the tradition. The Lymm event was revived in the 1970s by local resident Chris Limb.
Local Morris troupes Lymm Morris and Bollin Morris provided the entertainment while Lymm May Queen and Rose Queen led the procession.
The celebration takes place each year on the Sunday closest to August 15th, which is St Mary’s Day who is the patron of the village church.
The job of replacing rushes on the earthen floor of the church became a festival and in many places (including Lymm) had Morris dancers and music.
🌾 Lovely to see the ancient tradition of Rushbearing being kept alive in Lymm today, with villagers and local
Morris Dancers processing from the Lower Dam through the village to the Church carrying rushes gathered from local waterways. pic.twitter.com/JfNPrzmmoC— Andy Carter MP (@MrAndy_Carter) August 13, 2023
