The Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing festival is an annual event held the first full weekend of September each year.
Originally revived for the Queens Jubilee in 1977, the festival has grown steadily since.
Dating back to when churches had earthen floors and rushes were used as a form of renewable floor covering, rushbearing is when the old rotten rushes were cleared out and fresh rushes were taken around in carts offered to the churches.
The Rushcart is 16ft tall and decorated with fresh rushes each year. Pulled by a 60 strong team of men in white shirts, Panama hats and clogs, it passes through several villages stopping at many churches, hostelries, cricket and bowling clubs along the way. Accompanied by a team of supporters in Edwardian dress with charity buckets and 14 of the finest morris dancing teams, the crowds are always entertained.
What we do...
Rushcart & Live Entertainment – Hogs Head Brew House
The Rushcart will arrive at The Hogs Head Brew House at 5:05pm, where we’ll be hosting a number of Morris dance teams until 5:50pm.
Once the Rushcart departs, the entertainment continues with a fantastic evening of live music:
5:15pm – Police Brass Band
Enjoy a brilliant performance from the Police Brass Band. A full brass band and community ensemble comprising over 30 volunteer members
7:00pm – Feng Shui
Round off the evening with a live set from Feng Shui.
a Three-piece local rock and indie covers band based in the Burnley area that performs hits from iconic artists like Oasis, Kings of Leon, Dire Straits, and The Police
Come along, enjoy the atmosphere, and join us for an evening of traditional entertainment and fantastic live music!
