The historic religious link to the Whit Friday contest day was certainly enhanced this year in Saddleworth and Mossley at the traditional Processions of Witness event in the village of Uppermill.

Celebration

Whit Friday is the first Friday after the Christian festival of Pentecost and is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter.

It commemorates descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-31). Many believe it signifies the birth of the Christian Church.

The walks which date back to 1821 are a celebration for the churches, with the Whit Friday brass band contests starting around 1870 as a secular afternoon attraction4BR

Secular attraction

The walks which date back to 1821 are a celebration for the churches, with the Whit Friday brass band contests starting around 1870 as a secular afternoon attraction — a connection which has been maintained ever since.

This year The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, took part in the procession following an invitation from Dobcross Church and also deliver the address at the service in Uppermill on Friday morning.