– as the words of the old Simon & Garfunkel song go! It’s a busy weekend too with two important local events happening. First is Sowerby Bridge rushbearing. We joined the celebrations yesterday & I’ll write about it at greater length (along with adding lots of pictures) this evening. It’s a great event that draws people of all ages & background. In the meantime, here’s a shot of the rushcart being hauled up the hill from the Navigation pub;

Rushbearing continues today but we’re off to another event – the Norland scarecrow festival. You can read all about it here.

See you later!

UPDATE

Well it’s slightly later than I’d hoped but here’s a look at both events. As usual, rushbearing was an excellent event that the rain Gods smiled upon & left alone! What I particularly like about it is the way it attracts a cross-section of people (of all ages) from far and wide. It’s a great example of how traditions are kept alive through continuity & by involving the young, not excluding them. Many of the troupes of entertainers had very young members as part of their group. Youngsters are actively encouraged to take part & do so with gusto!

Still being in your pram is no barrier to taking part in rushbearing!

Something you soon notice about rushbearing is how many folk sport the bespoke leather badges that show their annual attendance. Straw hats, waistcoats & shawls are festooned with them.

It’s an event that clearly brings a community together. I’ve met folks who plan their annual holidays around the event & even fly back from far-flung lands in order to attend.

Needless to say, the local pubs do a roaring trade during rushbearing. Pulling the cart o’er hill & dale is thirsty work, so cart pullers & other participants carry their own tankards clipped to their belts.

Of course, Sowerby Bridge is blessed with a great variety of pubs, bars & restaurants, so no-one goes thirsty (or hungry) for long.

Here’s a few more pictures that I hope will give you a flavour of this years event.

Sometimes, something stronger than beer is called for..

400 Roses are regulars at Rushbearing. They combine UK-style folk dancing with more exotic tribal belly dance moves. When designing their costumes they decided to use an abundance of red and white silk roses appropriate to their Yorkshire & Lancashire origins, hence their name.

On the Sunday we walked across the valley & up to Norland to sample the delights of the annual scarecrow festival. This years theme was songs, which taxed both designers and the audience. Some of the designs were technically brilliant, others cryptic & some just plain strange! Either way, they attracted thousands of visitors who (hopefully) managed to raise a lot of money for charity. Here’s a look at a few of the entries.

This must have been the most intricate as it featured some intricate mechanical engineering to animate the mermaid & the fish – much to the delight of kids (large and small)!

A good effort but we still can’t work out what the song was…

– the views & weather were just as good…

This was our favourite because of its scale, inventiveness & style. I really like the dog jumping for the frisbee!