Following their regional victory in Stevenage earlier this year, the Fulham Band is trying to raise its profile away from the confines of the London banding fraternity — by heading north.

Whit Friday

The band will be taking part in the Whit Friday contests this year and are trying to get as much out of the trip up to Saddleworth as they can.

This year they will be playing in the morning church service in Mossley before competing around the various Saddleworth venues.

Concert with a difference

However, they will also be trying to raise their profile by putting on a special free concert from 11am-1pm outside their base, the Grains Bar Hotel near Delph.

There’s even an opportunity for budding conductors to take over the baton from outr MD Simon JonesFulham Brass

Players and conductors

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The idea of the concert is that it’s fairly informal, with the hotel laying on food and drinks, and bandspeople in the audience bringing along an instrument and joining in for a few numbers. There’s even an opportunity for budding conductors to take over the baton from outr MD Simon Jones.

Provided the concert is a success, the band hope to make this an annual event that people come back to year after year.

Great location

As the spokesperson added: "The hotel is in a great location with picturesque views over Saddleworth and the Oldham Hills, so mix that with the dulcet tones of a brass band and you have the perfect way to ease away the aches from a long Whit Friday."