Stalybridge will not see Whit Walk

THE TRADITIONAL Whit Walks parade will not happen in Stalybridge after several churches indicated they did not want to take part.

Organisations across the town got together to show their faith, with banners representing different groups often dominating as crowds went through the streets.

Covid-19 meant there could not be a Whit Walk because of lockdowns and social distancing regulations.

But this year, despite restrictions being eased, enough churches said they did not want an organised walk around the parish.

St George’s Church of England, on Church Street, revealed the consensus, to its disappointment.

It said: “The overwhelming majority of people stated a desire to walk, and if this was not possible, that we should do something within our own parish.

“This was discussed at length at the PCC meeting last week.

“Unfortunately, representatives of most of the churches at the Churches Together meeting confirmed that they did not wish to continue with the Whit Walks.

“Sadly, because this has left us with little time to prepare, we are not able to walk around our Parish as we had hoped.

“It is hoped that in future years, other churches will have a change of heart and decide to walk.

“However if this is not the case, we will have longer to prepare and do all we can to walk in our parish.”

St George’s will host an open air service outside the church on Whit Sunday, May 28, where they will be joined by Bishop Mark Davies.

The Stalybridge church has been offered the chance to join its namesake in Mossley on Whit Friday, June 2.

It added: “We appreciate that this is not ideal and that most of us would like to continue our own tradition.

Sadly this is not possible this year, so we urge everyone to accept this extremely kind invitation, as well as join our service on Whit Sunday.”