Organisers have announced details of the 2025 Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday contests which take place on 13th June.
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 preferred
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 the preferred registration process to give organisers essential contact details ahead of time, such as those required for BOPA legal requirements.
To find out more go to: www.saddleworthwhitfriday.co.uk
Judges
This year's panel of judges consists of Leigh Baker, Alan Fernie, Christopher Bond, Gordon Eddison, Allan Holdsworth, Matt Whitfield, 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 as happened last year ALL contests must be concluded by midnight on Saturday 14th June.
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: £5,150
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: £4,230
Adjudicator: Allan Holdsworth
Contact: Andrina Baxter (07920763979)
twitter: @denshawcontest
Facebook: Denshawcontest
Instagram @denshawwhitfridaycontest
Diggle:
http://www.digglebandcontest.co.uk
Contest: 4.00pm -10.30pm
Main Prize: £800
Prize Fund: £3,185
Adjudicator: Gordon Eddison
Contact: B. Cliffe (07703184200)
twitter: @DiggleContest
Facebook: DiggleBandContest
Instagram: digglecontest
Dobcross:
Contest: 4.00pm -10.00pm
Main Prize: £750
Prize Fund: £3,085
Adjudicator: Stephen Tighe
Contact: Debs Seed
twitter: @DobcrossWhitFri
Facebook: Dobcross Whit Friday United Effort
Instagram:@dobxwhitfriday
YouTube @dobcrosswhitfriday
The Dobcross contest will be livestreamed on a YouTube channel
Friezland:
All bands excluding Championship, First and Second Section
Contest: 4.00pm -10.00pm
Main Prize: £200
Prize Fund: £950
Adjudicator: T. Newbigging
Contact: Simon Clark (07902305281)
twitter:friezwhitbands
Greenfield:
Registration from: 3.30pm
Contest: 4.00pm -10.00pm
Main Prize: £1,000
Prize Fund: £4,570
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald
Contact: Jamie Curley (07484 628043)
Grotton:
Contest: 4.00pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £800
Prize Fund: £3,400
Adjudicator: Christopher Bond
Contact: Anna Oldfieid (07799200454)
twitter: @WhitBrass
Lydgate:
Contest: 4.00pm -10.30pm
Main Prize: £1,000
Prize Fund: £3,410
Adjudicator: Matt Whitfield
Contact: Peter Norbury (07774261491)
X: https://x.com/lydgatecontest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lydgatebrassbandcontest/
Lees & Springhead:
Contest: 4.30pm -10.00pm
Main Prize: £700
Prize Fund: £2,105
Adjudicator: Alan Fernie
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: £4,800
Adjudicator: Benjamin Richeton
Contact: Pam Armstrong (07851 370442)
Facebook: @Uppermillwhitfriday
Twitter: @UppermillWhit2
email: uppermill@saddleworthwhitfriday.co.uk
