Parish History - Local Customs

May Processions
A feature of the parish life in the 1950s were the annual May Queen processions. Children were chosen as the May Queen and her retinue including a cushion bearer. Much care was taken with the outfits. Many of the parish would process in a set order; the priests and altar boys, the May Queen and her retinue, men and women, all to the crowing of the statue of Our Blessed Lady.

May is still a month dedicated to Mary but the processions no longer take place.

Whit Walks
Whit Walks are a long established tradition, especially in the north of England, and whilst they have died out in the majority of places, Saddleworth continues this valued custom into the 21st century.

Whit Friday, always the Friday after Whitsun or Pentecost, remembers when the tongues of fire descended upon the apostles enabling them to speak in all languages and go out to preach the gospel. It is also seen as the birthday of the Church. The Whit Walks are therefore a walk of witness by all the Christian churches, done in celebration to spread God’s word.

In Saddleworth it is a day of celebration, a high day and holiday. Local schools and businesses are closed to enable everyone to take part. All dress in their best – it used to be the practice that people would get their one new outfit of the year for Whit Friday.

The Sacred Heart and St William walks with its congregation, banners, Sunday school children and flowers to the accompaniment of the traditional Saddleworth sound of brass bands.

Every other Saddleworth church walks, with most congregations eventually meeting in Uppermill for a united service. All then process down Uppermill High Street to the viaduct and back, enabling all the different churches to pass and greet each other – a wonderful ecumenical occasion.