The details for this year's Whit Friday contests which take place on 10th June have been announced by Tameside Council.

The event which is run by the individual contests under the banner of 'The Friends of the Whit Friday Brass Band Contest Committee' is supported by Tameside Council's Cultural Services Department.

There is around £20,000 in prize money to be won courtesy of the generous financial support from private sponsorship and Tameside Council.

With no contests for three years, there are some changes to the prize monies on offer, but it remains remarkable that the contests have still been able to find the resources after the enforced lay off.

Off rota

Unfortunately, only nine of the twelve contests that took place in 2019 will take place this year.

Aldwinians rugby union ground which had to pull out in 2019 due to on-site building work is joined by Stalybridge Celtic FC (who are also having some work done within the ground) and The Albion Pub at Dukinfield which has seen a change in ownership.

Traffic

Bands, coaches and visitors to the Stalybridge New Labour Club contest are advised that there could be extra traffic in the area.

This is due to the Stalybridge Street Fest, which coincides with Whit Friday. Whilst extra footfall in the area is expected to increase to the benefit of the Street Fest and contest, bands have been asked to be aware of the diversions in place for transport.

Six of the best for First to Fourth Sections

The competing bands will notice that the overall prize money distributed in 2019 remains. In addition to the overall champion, financial incentives will be available for the highest placed bands who compete at six contests or more in Sections 1 to 4.

Bands and visitors to the contests are advised to check out the new website address which gives the information needed for the various contests in their area.

Go to: www.whitfridaybrass.org

This year's contests take place on Friday 10th June, and in addition to Open and Local Champions, the new monetary awards introduced in 2019 for bands in the First, Second, Third and Fourth Sections remain in place.

Prize Money

Tameside Area Open Champions: £2,000, 2nd: £1,000, 3rd: £750
Overall First Section: £500
Overall Second Section: £400
Overall Third Section: £350
Overall Fourth Section: £300
Youth: £200, 2nd £100.

Local Area Champion: £750, 2nd: £600, 3rd: £400

The Tameside contests are supported by Tameside Council and the Friends of Tameside Whit Friday Brass Band Contest Committee.

Broadoak:

Contest: 4.30pm -11.00pm
Main Prize: £500 from a total prize fund of £1720
Ashton Rugby Club
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley
Contact: Graham Hall (0161 339 8341)

Carrbrook:

Contest: 4.00pm -11.00pm
Main Prize: £600 from a total prize fund of £1,555
Carr Rise
Adjudicator: John Davies
Contact: Kathryn Heyes (07760 274 629)
twitter: @CarrbrookWhitFr

Denton:

Contest: 4.15pm -11.45pm
Main Prize: £250 from a total prize fund of £1,255
Adjudicator: Mike Lyons
Contact: Mrs Joan Emery (0161 2925319/07939 383147)
twitter: @DBBAwhitfriday

Droylsden:

Contest: 4.00pm -11.30pm
Main Prize: £500 from a total prize fund of £1,550
The Bush Inn
Adjudicator: Ryan Breen
Contact: Lisa Greenbook (07938 995 316)

Dukinfield (Tame Valley):

Contest: 4.15pm-11.15pm
Main Prize: £400 from a total prize fund of £1,700
Tame Valley Hotel
Adjudicator: Nicholas Garnon
Contact: Sharon McDonald (07834 553 624 )

Heyrod:

http://www.heyrodbandcontest.com
Contest: 4.30pm -11.000pm
Main Prize: £600 from a total prize fund of £2080
John Street
Adjudicator: Matthew Brown
Contact: Colette Shaw (07983 335733)

Hurst Village:

Contest: 4.30pm -10.30pm
Main Prize: £600 from a total prize fund of £2,125
Ashton United FC
Adjudicator: Richie Howard
Contact: Cat Tomlinson (07500830583)

Stalybridge New Labour Club:

Contest: 4.00pm -11.00pm
Main Prize: £400 from a total prize fund of £1,405
Stalybridge New Labour Club
Adjudicator: Paul Norley
Contact: Cllr Sam Gosling ( 07765 766520)

Mossley:

Contest: 5.00pm -10.30pm
Main Prize: £800 from a total prize fund of £2,750
Mountain Street
Adjudicator: Gary Hallas
Contact: Paul Harrison (07876 214425)