Living Heritage update
4th of September, 2025
Getting recognition for Saddleworth’s events
Delays to the opening of submissions for a national inventory of living heritage have temporarily held back the Parish Council’s plans to get recognition for Saddleworth’s most prominent events, but they are expected to progress soon.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport wrote to the Council recently to notify them of the setbacks, but also to say that they are pushing for the scheme to go live shortly.
The Parish Council has already agreed to put the Saddleworth Band Contest – “the greatest free show on earth” – and the Rushcart Festival forward as prime examples of the country’s living heritage.
Parish Council chair Helen Bishop said: “We are all incredibly proud of living in an area with such a commitment to volunteering and community involvement.
“These two events are just some of the best examples of this, not just in Saddleworth – you’d be hard pressed to find better run events than this in the whole of the UK, and we are so grateful to all the people who put their time and commitment into making them happen.”
Anyone wishing to put other events forward for the Council to submit should send their suggestions to the Parish Council at enquiries@saddleworthparishcouncil.org.uk or by writing to Saddleworth Parish Council, Lee Street, Uppermill, OL3 6AE