Following months of discussion, negotiation and planning, the Whitworth Rushcart celebrations will take place in the town on the afternoon of Sunday 5 September 2010. This is a family friendly, free event and all are welcome.

The Tourism and Leisure Committee of Whitworth Town Council has been working closely with the Police and with the multi-agency Events Safety Group on this year’s festivities.

A procession will leave from North Street car park, off Market Street, Whitworth, at 1.00pm.  Featuring numerous traditional morris dance troupes (including the famous Britannia Coconutters and the Whitworth Morris Men), the Rushcart procession will travel north up the main road (Market Street), arriving at Whitworth Civic Hall (also known as The Riverside) at approximately 1.20pm.

From 1.30pm until 4.30pm, the car park of the Civic Hall will be cordoned off for stalls, entertainments, and performances from the various morris dancing troupes, plus the Whitworth Vale and Healey Youth Band.  St Bartholomew’s Church will be providing traditional hot food, and the Civic Hall bar will be open for liquid refreshments.

Councillor David Chorlton, Chair of the Tourism and Leisure Committee says: “Everyone on the Tourism and Leisure Committee is delighted to have the backing of the various agencies that work within Whitworth, and hope that residents will give the plans their full support as well.  We’re all looking forward to another fantastic, fun-filled, family-friendly event.”

Additionally, a number of other events will be taking place on or around the Rushcart weekend, including:

•Whitworth Museum on North Street will be extending its opening hours over the weekend of 4 and 5 September, and will be hosting a Rushcart exhibition, featuring photos old and new and archive materials.  For more information, please contact Mr Alan Schofield on 01706 343370.

•On Sunday 5 September at 6.30pm, St Bartholomew’s Church, Whitworth Rake, will be holding a Rushcart Evening service, to which all are invited.  For more information, please contact Mrs Pauline Schofield on 01706 343370.

•Whitworth Band Club on Market Street will be hosting the Whitworth Vale & Healey Brass Quintet on the evening of Sunday 5 September, 8pm, with potato pie supper and black peas.  Entrance is free.  For more information, contact the Band Club directly on 01706 852484.

For further information, please contact Karen Douglas, Whitworth Town Clerk on 01706 852018