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The "Rushbearing" is the title given to the
Lymm fair or yearly carnival, which began on Saturday last, extending
over Tuesday.
Rushbearing is a very old custom, and one, we believe, which has for
generations been carried out in Lymm, the present year, however, being
an exception. The reasons for the custom having been ignored this year
are various, most of the inhabitants being tired of subscribing towards
the fabrication of what, in these days, is of no utility, or is
inconsistent with the enlightenment and tastes of the people.
As stated before, the custom is a very ancient one, and in years past
had its uses,. It was customary to construct a cart of rushes, which was
placed on the body of a real cart, and borne along the streets of the
village drawn by four horses. This having been done, the cart was taken
to the village church, and the rushes were used for the floors in lieu
of carpets or matting, as was customary in the palaces of our
forefathers of the Elizabethan and previous eras. So that in olden times
this custom may have had its rise from a desire to provide the rushes
for the church voluntarily, and with some show of festivity.
In these days, however, rushes are at a discount, especially for church
purposes: and as the cost of the generally amounted to £18 or £90, and
the rushes were of no use afterwards, the old custom has been thrown
aside, and the subscriptions have found their way into other channels,
one of these being the athletic sports.
The only trade of old times seen during the present rushbearings was the
"Morris Dancers," a body of whom appeared in the streets on
Saturday, and went through their dances. Morris dancing is probably as
old as rushbearing, and is supposed to have been derived from the
Moriscos (Moors) of Spain, and introduced into England in the reign of
Edward III, when John of Gaunt returned from Spain.
Morris dancers became very popular, and in the time of Henry VIII were a
principle feature in all popular festivals. Like most other old customs,
Morris dancing has degenerated, and perhaps another year will see the
extinction of this interesting pastime of other days, so far as Lymm is
concerned.
The usual gathering of shows, shooting galleries, &e. thronged the
village streets during the three days, and these were of a heterogeneous
character. |
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The "Mogul Wizard" was there in all his glory
and the "Hottentot Venus, as she appeared at the Crystal
Palace", was to be seen seen [sic] "alive! alive!" along
with the talking pony, and a vast host of similar strong attractions in
another show for one penny only. The inevitable fat lady was there, this
time with her also fat daughter. A "life size" painting of the
daughter, about 12ft. high, gave her an arm about the same size and
shape as a sack of flour. Of course the "roundabouts" were
there, and the striking machines for dislocating thumbs, with a host of
pedlars and swindlers who make their living at such fairs. A great deal
of drunkenness was noticeable during the festival. As a
counter-attraction to these orgies, there were trips to Buxton and other
places which were well patronised. The great event of Monday was the
athletic sports, which were numerously attended, a great number of
people from Warrington and other places flocking in to see
them. |
