THE medieval tradition of Lymm Rushbearing took place in glorious sunshine yesterday (Sunday) as a good number of people both walked in the procession carrying rushes and watched.
The procession was led by both the May queen and the Rose queen with Esther McVey MP and Ben Selwood vice-chairman of the parish council. Both Lymm Morris and Bollin Morris provided colour as well music and dancing. After walking up the Dingle from the Lower Dam the procession arrived at St Mary’s car park for morris dancing. After a short service at St Mary’s there was further dancing.
Local MP Esther McVey with Lymm Morris
Rushbearing has its origins in the Middle Ages when the earthen floor of the church was covered in rushes or reeds and the community came together to replace them with fresh rushes or reeds. It developed into a village festival with a procession through the village carrying the rushes accompanied by music and dancing. It appears to have died out around the time of the first world war and was revived in 1972. Lymm is one of only a small number of places to maintain the tradition.
The event will take place next year on Sunday 9th August. Any queries are welcome to c.1203@hotmail.co.uk
