AMBLESIDE was at its sunniest best last Saturday as families in Ambleside thronged the streets to celebrate the ancient custom of Rushbearing.

Captivated onlookers joined proud parents and grandparents to watch the colourful procession in which flower-decorated rushes and church bearings are carried round the streets by children and members of the community. The origins of Rushbearing are thought to date back to the 13th century, when freshly-picked rushes were laid annually over the earthen floors of churches for their sweet fragrance and insulation. The custom died out as flagged floors replaced the old earthen ones, but Ambleside continued to celebrate Rushbearing, in common with Grasmere, Warcop, Great Musgrave and Urswick in Cumbria, and a handful of other parishes elsewhere.

The Harp of David decked with white flowers which leads the procession was carried by father and son, Ray and Stephen Savage in memory of Paul Savage, and the church wardens’ staves were carried by David Stothard and Pauline Sunnucks. The Crown was carried by Alexandra Menaud and the World, at the rear of the procession, was carried by Luke Todd.

With accompaniment from Burneside Brass Band, the youngest children led the procession, which halted in the Market Place to sing the Rushbearing hymn written in 1835 by Ambleside assistant curate, the Rev Owen Lloyd, followed by the raising of bearings and applause from onlookers. The procession ended with a brief service in St Mary’s, conducted by Team Rector, Revd Beverley Lock with an address by Revd Vernon Ross, Archdeacon of Westmorland and Furness. Among the overseas visitors was Revd Ariel Fernandez, Head of Life and Mission in the Methodist Church in Argentina, who is currently visiting Cumbria Methodists’ Mission Community. All those attending the service were rewarded with a slice of gingerbread as the congregation left church and headed for the Rushbearing sports.

Once the younger children’s races finished, the Loughrigg Fell Race got under way, with Ambleside’s keen young runners undeterred by the hot sun. The Clive Braithwaite Memorial Trophy for the under 16s boys’ fell race was won by Rory Knowles in 18.32 minutes, with Sonny Marsh as runner up. Under 16s girls’ was won by Maisie Evans, and the under 12s boys’ winner was Tom Ashworth, with Thomas Iveson in second place. Joss Evans won the girls’ under 12s, with Lily Marsh in second place.

ends