Following months of discussion, negotiation and planning, the annual Whitworth Rushcart celebrations will take place in the town on the afternoon of Sunday 2 September 2012. This is a family friendly 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. The 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 Riverside bar will be open for liquid refreshments, including a real ale named ‘Grogan’s Delight’ in memory of the late Jimmy Grogan, Honorary Townsman of Whitworth. The winners of the inaugural Whitworth Scarecrow Festival, running from Saturday 25 August to Sunday 2 September 2012, will also be announced at the Rushcart. The organisers are grateful for financial support from Whitworth Town Council and the receipt of a Neighbourhood Forum events grant from Rossendale Borough Council. Additionally, a number of other events will be taking place on or around the Rushcart weekend: St Bartholomew’s Church on Whitworth Rake will host a Rushcart Evening Service on Sunday 2 September at 6.30pm. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Rev Lyn Woodall on 01706 853931. Whitworth Band Club at 498 Market Street will be open all day on Rushcart Sunday. After the main event Clive Morton and friends will be at the Club to partake a little spontaneous singing and merriment, and the Whitworth Vale and Healey Brass Quintet will perform a concert in the evening. More details available from the Band Club on 01706 852484. Whitworth Museum on North Street will be open from 10am on the Sunday for teas and coffees as the finishing touches made to the Rushcart. The Museum and Historical Society will also be hosting a stall at the Rushcart event itself. For more information contact Mr Schofield on 01706 343370. Folk at the Riverside: a fantastic evening of Folk Music at the Riverside, Whitworth on Sunday 2 September at 8pm. Featuring Pilgrims' Way (2012 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Newcomer nominees / 2011 FATEA Tradition Award Winners), O'Hooley and Tidow, Rebekah Findlay and Bo Weavil. Tickets £11 advance (£13 on the door), available from the Riverside on 01706 854130, online at www.wegottickets.com or by emailing info@masonsapronradio.co.uk. For further information, please contact Karen Douglas, Whitworth Town Clerk on 01706 852018 / email: info@whitworth.gov.uk (Monday to Friday, 9am – 2.30pm). LISTINGS INFORMATION WHITWORTH RUSHCART PROCESSION AND CELEBRATIONS Sunday 2 September 2012 1pm: procession from North Street car park, OL12 8RA to The Riverside (Whitworth Civic Hall), Market Street, Whitworth, OL12 8DP 1.30pm – 4.30pm: entertainments and refreshments at The Riverside Family friendly event, all welcome For further information: contact Karen Douglas, Town Clerk, Whitworth Town Council (tel: 01706 852018 / email: info@whitworth.gov.uk)