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Custom · Uppermill

Saddleworth Rushcart [custom]

Pull the cart.

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Illustration: Saddleworth Rushcart [custom]
The legend
Custom

Saddleworth Rushcart [custom]

A jockey on the rushes.

Stand where it happened

What's there
Village streets and church
Legend from
Oldham
Tone
Joyful
CustomsMorris

Before you go

Free street festival. Check before you go.

  • Uppermill
  • Near A670
  • The pin marks the spot.
  • DateAugust bank holiday weekend (22–23 Aug 2026)

Rushes for the church.

Each August the Saddleworth Morris Men pull a cart piled high with rushes, heather and a rowan tree, with a jockey on top, between the Saddleworth villages. On the Sunday the cart goes to St Chad's Church for a rushcart service, followed by dancing, a worst singer contest and gurning. 2026 was the 50th festival.

Sources

  1. Rushcart 2026: all you need to know (Aug 2026), Saddleworth Independent —
  2. Saddleworth Rushcart weekend 2026 details revealed, The Oldham Times —

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