Notes from St Mary’s Church
The Celebration of Rushbearing (12 July)...
July is the month when we now celebrate our annual Rushbearing ceremony. It did used to be held in August when everyone was on holiday, as in years gone by people didn’t go away. Due to changing life styles, it became necessary to move to July while we still had children from school in the village and surrounding areas.
Rushbearing traditionally was when the rushes, which covered the church floor, were renewed. We celebrated by having a procession up the village followed by the crowning of a Rushbearing Queen, the singing of a special Rushbearing hymn, written by Rev William Frankland, a former vicar at St Mary’s, and a service in church. There were sandwiches and cakes provided by the ladies and then sports for the children, with a dance and whist drive at the school in the evening.
In past years the procession was led by a brass band, the church choir, the Queen and her attendants, and virtually all residents from the village, including friends and families. Everyone made and carried rushbearings, which were decorated with flowers and then were displayed in church. As times change, so has our Rushbearing ceremony. Firstly the change of date from August to July, we have recently been led by local musicians. In addition to that, last year we had a Rushbearing King and a Rushbearing Queen. We no longer have the sports for the children, nor the dance and whist drive in the evening.
It is still wonderful that we hold on to these old traditions albeit with a more modern approach. Please come and join us on Saturday, 12th July, procession leaving school at 2.30pm.