This year saw the return of the Littleborough Rushbearing Festival – a centuries old tradition dating back to the middle ages – and Rochdale District Freemasons were there to support this fantastic family festival.Rushbearing is an old English ecclesiastical festival in which rushes were collected and carried to be strewn of the floor of the parish church. The tradition dates back to the time when most buildings had earthen floors, and rushes were used as a form of renewable floor coverings for cleanliness and insulation.

Revived in 1991, the Littleborough Rushbearing Festival is held in Hare Hill Park and sees not only the traditional Rushbearing cart drawn through the town, but also a huge variety of family friendly events and activities, bringing the community together.

As with previous years, Rochdale District Freemasons were in attendance – not only to volunteer their help in running the event, but promoting our work in the community. John Taylor, District Charity Steward, Dave Jones, District Secretary and Doug Smith, District Chairman spent the day talking to members of the public about Freemasonry and raising funds for the PGLEL 2026 Festival.