Old Cumbria Gazetteer |
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| included in:- |
 St Oswald, Grasmere |
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| Grasmere: Rushbearing 2008 | ||
| locality:- | Grasmere | |
| civil parish:- | Lakes (formerly Westmorland) | |
| county:- | Cumbria | |
| locality type:- | rushbearing | |
| coordinates:- | NY336075 | |
| 1Km square:- | NY3307 | |
| 10Km square:- | NY30 | |
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 BPM49.jpg The six rush maidens carrying the new rushes for the church floor. (taken 19.7.2008) |
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| MN photo:- |
The once earthen floor of St Oswald's Church was strewn with rushes, which have a
sweet aromatic smell. Once a year they were renewed and the old rushes thrown out.
In Grasmere the new rushes are paraded through the village in a Rushbearing procession,
carried by a group of rush maidens in a canvas sheet, supported by village groups,
the vicar, church wardens, choir, the Women's Institute, village fellowship, and so
on, carrying flowery favours. There are a hymn and prayers at the village green, and
it all ends in the church with a service. |
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| This village festival has been carried on for centuries, usually on a day near the
feast of St Oswald, to whom the church is dedicated. |
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 BPM50.jpg Music for the procession. (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM51.jpg Grasmere primary school. (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM52.jpg Grasmere village fellowship. (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM53.jpg The procession leaving the village green for the church. (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM54.jpg The rush maidens. (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM55.jpg St Oswald's Church banner. (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM56.jpg Church choir. (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM57.jpg Grasmere WI banner. (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM58.jpg (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM59.jpg (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM61.jpg (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM60.jpg The rush maidens off back to the school. (taken 19.7.2008)  BPM63.jpg Church gate. (taken 19.7.2008) |
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 BPM44.jpg Costume, flowers, rushes, in St Oswald's Church before the procession. (taken 19.7.2008) |
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| hearsay:- |
The traditional tune to accompany the procession is the Rushbearing March. |
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-- RushBearing.mp3 (opens in a new window)
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 RushBear.jpg |
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