*
banner

Saddleworth Whit Friday details announced

Details of the 11 contests on the Saddleworth Whit Friday circuit this year have been announced.

Whit
  The contests will be held on Friday 24th May

Organisers have announced details of the 2024 Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday contests which take place on 24th May.

There is over £35,000 in prize money to be won this year courtesy of the generous financial support from private sponsorship and Oldham Council.

Pre -register option

Competing bands are reminded that the Saddleworth Whit Friday website offers valuable information to assist them on the day.

It has details and links to all contests, a map of the area and a contact form to submit information to all the contests before the event. This is not a registration process but will give organisers helpful contact details ahead of time.

To find out more go to: www.saddleworthwhitfriday.co.uk

Judges

This year's panel of judges consists of Leigh Baker, John Boax, Christopher Bond, Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale, Allan Holdsworth, Martin Heartfield, T Newbigging, Jonathan Pippen, Benjamin Richeton, Stephen Tighe and Christopher Wormald.

Midnight finish

Whilst some contests will also post information on the number of bands waiting to play via www.saddleworthwhitfriday.co.uk (Delph contest will also be tweeting information on waiting times for bands @dephcontest) in agreement with Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Councill ALL contests must be concluded by Midnight on Saturday 25th May

Watch live on Brass Pass

Greenfield has confirmed that their event will be live streamed by the subscription based channel BrassPass.tv

Venues:

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

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Italian Brass Band

Italian Brass Band enhances profile to Rome banding public

January 18 • The Italian Brass Band continues to provide an increasingly popular profile in the Eternal City.


Purcell School

Purcell School to introduce new industry pathway qualification

January 18 • The RSL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Music Industries will help students gain the experience and qualification to succeed in professional careers.


Cory

Cory set for Orbital premiere

January 18 • A visit from the composer Richard Blackford and conductor Martyn Brabbins adds to the levels of preparation ahead of eagerly anticipated world premiere at RNCM Festival.


Whitburn

Whitburn awards youth and experience

January 18 • The Scottish champion presents its annual awards to players of all ages and experience who have done their bit to keep the organisation at the top of their game.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Lt Col David Barringer MBE

BMus (Hons)
Conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd