Once again, the self-proclaimed ‘Greatest Free Show on Earth’ will head to the villages of Saddleworth and Oldham & Tameside as the popular, and lucrative Whit Friday Contests mark the start of the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend.
It is not an idle boast either – although this year it is one tempered by the determination of the hard working volunteer organisers to ensure that it is not marred by alcohol fuelled thoughtlessness and self-entitlement, by participants and visitors alike.
Everyone's interest
A day of boisterous good humour, great music-making (competitive and non-competitive) and family orientated inclusivity is in everyone’s interest. Disrespect and anti-social behaviour aren’t.
At a time when costs are rising, local authorities are cash strapped, and the Police should have better things to do than worrying about whether a band feels entitled to play past the official contest closure time (12 midnight at all events), everyone is on an amber warning.
A day of boisterous good humour, great music-making (competitive and non-competitive) and family orientated inclusivity is in everyone’s interest. Disrespect and anti-social behaviour aren’t.
Respect
All the organisers have asked is for people to respect their Codes of Practice, rules and guidance for each event.
This is first and foremost a community event organised by people who want to show to the world all that is good about a very specific form of brass banding.
There is no self-entitlement on their behalf in hosting the contests either - a point empathised by the fact that there is over £60,000 in prize money to be won this year thanks to their hard work in persuading generous financial support from private sponsorship and Oldham & Tameside Councils.
Walks of Witness
In Mossley and across Saddleworth, the day will commence with the traditional Walks of Witness from 9.00am as churches display their declaration of their faith accompanied by both local and overseas bands.
It remains a wonderful reminder of the day’s historic community roots.
Saddleworth Pre-register option and Code of Practice
Competing bands are reminded that the Saddleworth Whit Friday website offers valuable information to assist them on the day. This includes the optional opportunity to pre-register their intent to perform on the circuit.
Participants are reminded of the recent Code of Practice released within Saddleworth.
Participants are reminded of the recent Code of Practice released within Saddleworth.
Also check out road closure notices etc. https://saddind.co.uk/saddleworth-braces-for-whit-friday-festivities-traffic-restrictions-list/
To find out more go to: http://www.saddleworthwhitfriday.co.uk
Watch live
Greenfield has confirmed that their event will be live streamed by the subscription based channel BrassPass.tv.
In addition, Dobcross has indicated it will be streaming its contest live via its facebook page, Dobcross Whit Friday United Effort.
There are some late adjudicator changes this year with Chris King and Paul Norley who were due to adjudicate in Tameside at Denton and Stalybridge Labour Club respectively, replaced by Alan Bourne and Rob Burnett respectively.
Midnight finish
As previously reported on 4BR, in agreement with Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Council, all contests must be concluded by midnight on Saturday 25th May.
Results
All of the results will be published on 4BR over the course of the weekend.
Bands are requested to show patience and respect to the organisers whilst awaiting the results.
Both Saddleworth and Tameside circuits are expected to produce a comprehensive set of results including the identity of the overall champions and prize winners. In Tameside, the result though will remain provisional until after the Bank Holiday.
Bands are requested to show patience and respect to the organisers whilst awaiting the results.
Malcolm Wood
Saddleworth & Oldham District:
Area Open Champion: £2,500; 2nd: £1,000; 3rd: £750; Youth: £250
Local Area Champion: £750; 2nd: £600; 3rd: £400
The Saddleworth & Oldham Contests are supported by Oldham Council
Delph:
http://delphwhitfriday.co.uk/
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.30pm (subject to numbers waiting and Police guidance)
Main Prize: £1,200
Prize Fund: £5,000
Adjudicator: Leigh Baker
Contact: Bob Rodgers (07843082582)
Bands can contact on the night itself (07742230464)
twitter: @delphcontest
Denshaw:
http://www.denshawcontest.co.uk/
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.30pm
Main Prize: £1,000
Prize Fund: £3,690
Adjudicator: Allan Holdsworth
Contact: Andrina Baxter (07920763979)
twitter: @denshawcontest
Facebook: Denshawcontest
Diggle:
http://www.digglebandcontest.co.uk
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.30pm
Main Prize: £800
Prize Fund: £3,140
Adjudicator: Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale
Contact: B. Cliffe (07703184200)
twitter: @DiggleContest
Facebook: DiggleBandContest
Instagram: digglecontest
Dobcross:
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.00pm
Main Prize: £750
Prize Fund: £3,050
Adjudicator: Stephen Tighe
Contact: Debs Seed
twitter: @DobcrossWhitFri
Facebook: Dobcross Whit Friday United Effort
Instagram:@dobxwhitfriday
Friezland:
All bands excluding Championship, First and Second Section
Contest: 4.30pm - 10.30pm
Main Prize: £200
Prize Fund: £885
Adjudicator: T. Newbigging
Contact: Simon Clark (07902305281)
Greenfield:
Registration from: 3.30pm
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.00pm
Main Prize: £1,000
Prize Fund: £4,750
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald
Contact: Jamie Curley (07484 628043)
Grotton:
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.00pm
Main Prize: £700
Prize Fund: £2,565
Adjudicator: Christopher Bond
Contact: Anna Oldfieid (07799200454)
twitter: @WhitBrass
Lydgate:
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.30pm
Main Prize: £1,000
Prize Fund: £3,410
Adjudicator: Martin Heartfield
Contact: Peter Norbury (07774261491)
Lees & Springhead:
Contest: 4.30pm - 10.00pm
Main Prize: £500
Prize Fund: £1,800
Adjudicator: John Boax
Contact: Michaela (07951128250)
Twitter: @leesbandcontest
Scouthead & Austerlands:
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.30pm
Main Prize: £1,000
Prize Fund: £4,710
Adjudicator: Jonathan Pippen
Contact: Pam Bailey (07879 054 027)
Email: sandabbcc@gmail.com
Uppermill:
Contest 4.00pm - 10.00pm
Main Prize: £1, 250
Prize Fund: £4,275
Adjudicator: Benjamin Richeton
Contact: Pam Armstrong (07851 370442)
Facebook: @Uppermillwhitfriday
Twitter: @UppermillWhit2
Tameside Council:
Area Open Champion: £2,000; 2nd: £1,000; 3rd: £750; Youth: £250
First Section: £500
Second Section: £400
Third Section: £350
Fourth Section: £300
Local Area Champion: £750; 2nd: £600; 3rd: £400
The Tameside Contests are supported by Tameside Council
To find out more go to: https://www.whitfridaybrass.org/copy-of-contact
Further details can be found about all contests at: https://www.whitfridaybrass.org/
Broadoak:
First Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.30pm
Last Band Registration: 10.30pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.00pm
Main Prize: £500
Prize Fund: £1,620
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley
Contest Secretary: Janet Bower
Secretary Contact: 0161 330 1361
Carrbrook:
First Band Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 10.30pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.00pm
Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £1,540
Adjudicator: John Davies
Contest Secretary: Kathryn Heyes
Secretary Contact: 07760 274 629
Email: heyes.kathryn@gmail.com
Denton:
First Registration Time: 3.45pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 11.15pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.45pm
Main Prize: £250
Prize Fund: £1,265
Adjudicator: Alan Bourne
Contest Secretary: Jan Williams
Secretary Contact: 07780782603
Secretary Email: janwilliams076@gmail.com
Droylsden:
First Registration Time: 3.45pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 11.00pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.30pm
Main Prize: £350
Prize Fund: £1,230
Adjudicator: Ryan Breen
Contest Secretary: Lisa Greenbrook
Secretary Contact: 07938 995 316
Secretary Email: lisaoshea@rocketmail.com
Dukinfield Tame Valley:
First Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 11.00pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.15pm
Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,700
Adjudicator: Colum O'Shea
Contest Secretary: Sharon Mcdonald
Secretary Contact: 07934 553 624
Secretary Email: smmac46@gmail.com
Heyrod:
First Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.30pm
Last Registration Time: 10.55pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.00pm
Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £2,080
Adjudicator: Phillip Littlemore
Contest Secretary: Natalie McEvoy
Secretary Contact: Natalielmcevoy@googlemail.com
Hurst Village:
First Band Registration Time: 4.15pm
Contest Start Time: 4.30pm
Last Band Registration: 9.45pm
Contest Closure Time: 10.00pm
Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £1,875
Adjudicator: Jack Capstaff
Contest Secretary: Catherine Tomlinson
Secretary Contact: 07500 830583
Secretary Email: cat.tomlinson@hotmail.co.uk
Hyde Central:
First Band Registration Time: 3.30pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 9.30pm
Contest Closure Time: 10.00pm
Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,405
Adjudicator: Duncan Wilson
Contest Secretary: Hugh Roderick
Secretary Contact: 07934916305
Secretary Email: hwroderick@hotmail.com
The New Stalybridge Labour Club:
First Registration Time: 4.15pm
Contest Start Time: 4.30pm
Contest Closure Time: 10.15pm
Last Band Registration: 10.30pm
Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,405
Adjudicator: Rob Burnett
Contest Secretary: Adrian Pearce
Secretary Contact: New Stalybridge Labour Club, Acres Lane, Stalybridge (SK15 2JR)
Email: adrian.pearce@tameside.gov.uk
Tel: 07845 585 209
Top Mossley:
First Band Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 11.00pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.45pm
Main Prize: £1,500
Prize Fund: £4,515
Contest Adjudicator: Alan Duguid
Contest Secretary: Mr Chris Hey
Secretary Contact: 07815 571 828
Secretary Email: chey@totalropesolutions.co.uk
