St. Joseph's Catholic Whit Procession, Blackburn (1911)

Blackburn Catholics assemble to mark Whitsun weekend.

A bright, windy day greeted this Blackburn procession. Ranks of children in white lead the parade bearing flowered garlands and crosses, followed by young women struggling to hold on to their large hats. An elderly woman in a tartan shawl suddenly rushes from the crowd and seems to attack one of the women - or perhaps she has recognised her and is thrusting a coin in her hand, as was the custom.

Usually taking place on a Friday or Monday in June and very much a tradition of the North West of England, 'Whit Walks' were an important community celebration. Every child would be wearing new white clothes made or bought especially for the event, a considerable financial pressure on poorer families. Catholics, protestant and non-conformist churches would all walk but from different points in the town.