AN HISTORIC Rushbearing celebration had a 'very good turnout' from the community who came out to mark the occasion.

The traditional Rushbearing Procession embellished the streets of Ambleside on Saturday (July 6). 

The festival is a celebration associated with the ancient custom of annually replacing the rushes on the earth floors of churches, rushes being a general term for rushes, reeds, and sweet-smelling grasses.

The bearings vary from large ornate devices such as hoops, staves and crosses to simple sheaves carried by children. Composed mainly of rushes cut from nearby lake shores, they are decorated with mosses, flowers and greenery.

Helen Todd, of the organising committee, said it was a 'very good turnout' with more than 70 children and 50 adults in the procession.

"It was good. There were quite a lot of people around the village especially in the Market Place watching it," she said.

Speaking ahead of the event, Helen said  they needed more help and also people taking part in the procession. 

"It is heartbreaking. It will be gone if anybody comes forward," she said at the time.

READ MORE: 'Wonderful tradition' - Rushbearing festival returns to village this weekend

However, after the event, she explained that seeing people attending the celebration made her more 'hopeful' towards the future of the procession.

She said: "We just need a few younger people at grassroots level to be able to help us along a bit. I am more hopeful and some people have come forward so that is good."

Participants started decorating the bearings at 9.30am in the churchyard and the procession started at 2.30pm from Ambleside Primary School. The procession was accompanied by the Burneside Brass Band.

It was followed by a Church Service in St Mary's Parish Church, children's tea, sports and Fell Race.

At the end of the procession, they all had gingerbread made by the chefs from Ambleside Salutation Hotel following the secret recipe that has been passed out over the years. 

The committee will reunite in February to start discussing the plans for next year's procession set to take place on July 5.