Morris Dancing, Gurning and a Big ol' Cart of Rushes

A wet summer reaches its peak in August and, deciding to see what's happening closer to home, I find myself in Saddleworth celebrating the annual Rush Cart celebration. Harking back many centuries, the tradition of spreading rushes on the floor to ward off the cold evenings is still alive here, at St Chad's Church in Uppermill. This communal event, organised by Saddleworth Morris Men, sees a big pile of rushes pulled up to the church ceremoniously, and then celebrations including morris dancing and gurning taking place. This type of small scale festival was once common up and down the British Isles, with many still going on. So what better place to witness it than here on the edge of the Pennines, where people and places are a little bonkers?

[@steveandthedogs]

I helped pull the first two of the revivals. There weren't half as many lads to pull it then and it was bloody heavy. An owd lad who pulled the last of the originals also pulled it.

[@fantasticfraggle]

Another great video Ollie! You need to get your arse up to West Cumbria for Egremont Crab Fair!!!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Cheers! That sounds nuts. I'm in!

[@jetsons101]

Ollie, get ready for this....... Drum Roll Please I disagree with you, (yes disagree) when you said "it's not been the most spectacular festival." All I see is people, young and old coming together and spending time interacting with each other. They're away from the house, outside, not just sitting playing online games but in a large group laughing and talking with each other while having a good time while helping to keep local and regional history alive. To me that is a very successful and spectacular festival, bigger is NOT always better. Another great watch, also I like the old church building. OH ---- Happy Birthday

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Aw thanks! Good to see it through fresh eyes too. I almost didn't make this one because I was pressed for time, but glad to go there. Better late than never anyway 😁

[@jetsons101]

@@BeeHereNowuk Ollie, your videos are some of the most enjoyable to watch. Your narration feels unscripted and from the heart.

[@ste2442]

Seen some morris dancers in Chester today , a strange breed .

[@PhilipMurphy8]

A great video on such a good part of the UK

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks very much, Philip!

[@TroyTempest0]

Thanks for the vid Ollie - reet interesting and belated happy birthday mate!. Lookin' forward to seeing the next one soon!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks very much Troy! Looking forward to seeing what I end up filming 😂

[@mikeclarke3882]

Happy Birthday Ollie! That was a nice little look at a nice little festival. As for gurning...my dad could remove his false teeth and stick his tongue up his nose. My mum kept a picture of him on the mantlepiece to keep us kids away from the fire...😂😂

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Mike!! Hahaha sounds like good parenting all round. 😂

[@tikkathreebarrels]

Disappointingly short video in advance celebration of your 21th birthday. You've captured the essence of Rushcart: dancin', drinkin' , gurnin' , dancin' with lady morris persons, sleepin' in a tent reluctantly, more dancin', more drinkin'. I haven't been back sin' about 1979 so you've helped me out.

[@nikbennett4894]

Happy birthday! Love the tee shirt and all!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks haha 😆

[@JahsRulz]

Happy Birthday! Have a good trip.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you! Will do!

[@wrichard11]

Happy birthday Ollie

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you!

[@jonathanslater5894]

Happy birthday 🎉🎉🎉

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks very much!

[@ramatgan1]

Can you imagine other civilisations built the Pyramids and Taj Mahal and this is all these people can be proud of.

[@JayDee13214]

Excellent vid. Happy Birthday Ollie. You and I are just two of many people born in September - ninth month after Christmas - get it?

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Haha thank you! I'm sure it's all very innocent 😂

[@christopherwhittaker2620]

Check out what’s happening in Bacup and Stacksteads. Great folk scene up there and it’s not cheesy or cliche.

[@spam_slayed1481]

Happy birthday Ollie. Whats for afters?

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Hahaha. You only get it if you eat all you tea up

[@scottc1589]

Dude, Nuthin' personal, but your birthday, like everyone's, is unique, a bit quirky, unquestionably odd, and definitely worth celebrating. As it happens, I'm celebrating a milestone birthday this month as well. Cheers!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Awesome, congrats!

[@Dave.id.-]

South Lancashire? Saddleworth is Yorkshire 😂

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Deffo. All that best things come to Yorkshirev at some point 😁

[@TarunoNafs]

I don't understand the title and the thumbnail makes no sense to me. Let's watch this.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

The Poms have an unfair head start in their Gurning Competitions - being well on the lower half of the Adonis Bell Curve on average! 😱😜😈

[@BeeHereNowuk]

True. 😂😂😂

[@nicknewton7189]

Have a good one,all the best. 🫡✌️

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Cheers Nick