If it was 'purple reign' in Saddleworth following Brighouse & Rastrick's hat-trick of Whit Friday victories, then it was the even more familiar sight of 'Red Sky at Night' for the 21st time in the last 22 competitive years in Tameside as Foden's once again took the overall championship honours.

Led by Michael Fowles (who directed the band to victory for a 13th time) their crisp edged performances of 'The President' march left rivals looking to the skies for inspiration to beat them.

Victories at Denton, Droylsden, Dukinfield Tame Valley, Heyrod, Hurst Village, Hyde Central, Stalybridge Celtic and Stalybridge Labour Club gave them a clean sweep of the six qualifying results required to secure the £2,000 Tameside Council prize and Tameside Rose Bowl Trophy and boost their overall winnings on the night to over £6,200.

The only disappointment on yet another imposing display of 'Presidential' power came at Top Mossley where they failed to capture the biggest first prize (the £1,500 won by Black Dyke) on the Tameside circuit in coming fifth, whilst they were sixth at Carrbrook.

Immensely impressive

It was immensity impressive playing, directed with calm authority by Michael Fowles, although with three concerts to prepare for later this month, he told 4BR that the players' celebrations will have had to be short and sweet before the work starts again for the Sandbach band.

"'The band always prepare properly and never take anything for granted," he said on his personal Facebook page. "It literally was Friday the 13th for me! I can't thank them enough for their efforts and our thanks as a band goes to the Tameside contest organisers and Tameside Council for its continuous support. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2026."

Snapping heels

Perhaps not so their rivals, although both a rejuvenated Leyland and the remarkably consistent Rothwell Temperance snapped at their musical heels throughout the day.

Leyland under Daniel Brooks performed 'Knight Templar' at 10 venues (as well as taking a detour to play at two in Saddleworth), with victories at Broadoak and Carrbrook and a trio of runner-up spots at Heyrod, Hurst Village and Stalybridge Labour.

Podium finishes came at Denton, Dukinfield and top-six finishes at Hyde Central, Stalybridge Celtic and Top Mossley. A fine day's work was boosted by a central prize of £1,000 as well as by their winnings from their Saddleworth sojourn.

Rock solid accounts of 'The Wizard' on 10 out of the 11 appearances by Rothwell Temperance under David Roberts once again reinforced their reputation as one of the finest Whit Friday exponents on the Tameside circuit.

Although there wasn't a victory to top their efforts this year, 7 runner-up spots, two thirds and a fifth place told its impressive story as they added the £750 prize to a bulging pot of prize money.

Local battle honours

The keenly fought battle for the 'Best Local' prizes saw a close race as Mossley's consistent showings on the march 'High Command' saw them head Ashton under Lyne to claim the £750 first prize. Ashton picked up £600 with third placed Stalybridge Old an additional £400.

There was plenty of working out to do for the four Section titles, before it was announced that Blackburn & Darwen had claimed the First Section title, and Middleton (Second); Rivington & Adlington (Third) and Darwen Brass (Fourth) had all given their Cheltenham National Final fund raising efforts a fine financial boost.

The trio of great youth ensembles also entertained royally on the day with Macclesfield Youth led by Louise Renhsaw claiming the first prize ahead of HD9 Community Youth and Mossley Hollins High School.

Celtic return a triumph

Once again, the hard work and commitment of the volunteers of the Friends of Whit Friday Brass Band Contest (FOWFBBC) aided by the generous direct and indirect support of Tameside Metropolitan Council (prize fund and infrastructure support) ensured that the foundations for a highly successful day of celebratory brass banding were out in place once more.

It included the return of Stalybridge Celtic FC to the circuit, with the event now forming part of a far reaching approach to outreach that has helped the club become a sporting and cultural hub of community activity. The £1,000 top prize certainly helped in attracting 35 bands to the venue.

In total 50 bands took part in the contests — with welcome visitors from across the border from Yorkshire the West of England, Midlands, Isle of Man, Wales and Norway.

Votes cast

Although there is only the one main Whit Friday 'Church Walk' that takes place in Mossley on the day, and there isn't the same scrum of vibrant street activity at the contest events themselves, the atmosphere at all 11 venues was one of inclusiveness and friendly competitiveness.

It certainly wasn't lost on local MPs Angela Raynor and Jonathan Reynolds, who were joined by hundreds of brass band supporters of all political colours to enjoy the occasion — although the Labour MPs will surely have left delighted that the winners after all the votes were counted, once again wore red.

That said, it was a pity that some band representatives and individuals did let their keen competitive enthusiasm get the better of them on occasions — some harassing a super team of volunteers for results when just a little more patience and professionalism would have gone a long way.

The vast majority did — and the thanks to the various venue and central organisers was greatly appreciated.

Malcolm Wood

Full results: https://www.whitfridaybrass.org/2025results

The band always prepare properly and never take anything for grantedFoden's MD, Michael Fowles

Results:
Tameside Council:

Area Open Champion: Foden's (£2,000)
Runner-up: Leyland (£1,000)
Third place: Rothwell Temperance (£750)

Youth: Macclesfield Youth Band (£250)
Runner-up: HD 9 Community Youth Band (£100)

First Section: Blackburn & Darwen (£500)
Second Section: Middleton (£400)
Third Section: Rivington & Adlington (£350)
Fourth Section: Darwen Brass (£300)

Local Area Champion:
1. Mossley Band (£750)
2. Ashton under Lyne (£600)
3. Stalybridge Old (£400)

The Tameside Contests are supported by Tameside Council

Broadoak:

Main Prize: £500
Prize Fund: £1,620
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley MBE
32 competing bands

1. Leyland (£500)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£250)
3. Foden's (£150)
4. Mossley (£120)
5. Audley
6. Ashton under Lyne

Best First Section Band: Audley Brass (£100)
Best Second Section Band: Lostock Hall Memorial (£80)
Best Third Section Band: Stalybridge Old (£80)
Best Fourth Section Band: Darwen Brass (£70)

Best Local Band: Ashton under Lyne (£70)
Runner-up: St John's Mossley (£50)

Best Youth Band: HD9 Community Youth (£50)
Runner-up: Macclesfield Youth (£30)

First Band: Foden's (£20)

Carrbrook:

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,540
Adjudicator: John Davies
31 competing bands

1. Leyland (£400)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£250)
3. Valley Brass
4. Ratby Co-operative
5. Middleton
6. Foden's

Best First Section Band: Valley Brass (£175)
Best Second Section Band: Middleton (£150)
Best Third Section Band: Eccleston (£125)
Best Fourth Section Band: Queensbury Music Centre (£100)

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£70)
Runner-up: HD9 Community Youth (£50)

Deportment: Silk Brass (£50)
Youth Deportment: Mossley Hollins High School (£50)

Denton:

Main Prize: £250
Prize Fund: £1,265
Adjudicator: David Ashworth
32 competing bands

1. Foden's (£250)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£150)
3. Leyland (£100)
4. Longridge
5. Ratby Co-operative
6. Brum Scratchers

Best First Section Band: Tyldesley (£100)
Runner-up: Blackburn & Darwen

Best Second Section Band: Allerton Brass (£80)
Runner-up: Old Glossop

Best Third Section Band: Stalybridge Old (£80)
Runner-up: Blackpool Brass

Best Fourth Section Band: Darwen Brass (£50)
Runner-up: St John's Mossley

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£60)

Best Local Band: Mossley (£80)

Deportment: Macclesfield Youth (£15)
Best Cornet Player: Foden's (£50)
Best Trombone Section: Leyland (£90)
Best Youth Cornet Player: Macclesfield Youth (£50)
Best Fourth Section Basses: Darwen (£30)

Droylsden:

Main Prize: £300
Prize Fund: £1,230
Adjudicator: Ryan Breen
28 competing bands

1. Foden's (£300)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£200)
3. Silk Brass
4. Ratby Co-operative
5. Mossley
6. Darwen Brass

Best First Section Band: Silk Brass (£175)
Runner-up: Mossley (£90)

Best Second Section Band: Besses Boys (£100)
Runner-up: Pilton le Fylde (£80)

Best Third Section Band: Stalybridge Old (£100)
Runner-up: Rivington & Adlington (£80)

Best Fourth Section Band: Darwen Brass (£80)
Runner-up: Stackstead Brass (£50)

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth Band (£100)
Runner-up: Mossley Hollins High School (£80)

First Band: Foden's (£25)
Steward's Choice: St John's Mossley (£50)

Dukinfield Tame Valley:

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,700
Adjudicator: Colum O'Shea
34 competing bands

1. Foden's (£400)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£200)
3. Leyland (£100)
4. Audley
5. Blackburn & Darwen
6. Silk Brass

Best First Section Band: Audley Brass (£200)
Best Second Section Band: Allerton Brass (£100)
Best Third Section Band: Rivington & Adlington (£50)
Best Fourth Section Band: Queensbury Music Centre (£50)

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£100)
Runner-up: HD9 Community (£50)
Youth Award outside prizes: Mossley Hollins (£25)

Best Local Band: Middleton (£200)
Runner-up: Ashton under Lyne (£150)
Third: Mossley (£100)

Heyrod:

Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £2,080
Adjudicator: Matthew Brown
36 competing bands

1. Foden's (£600)
2. Leyland (£280)
3. Valley Brass (£200)
4. Longridge
5. Ratby Co-operative
6. Silk Brass

Best First Section Band: Valley Brass (£150)
Best Second Section Band: Middleton (£100)
Best Third Section Band: Rivington & Adlington (£50)
Best Fourth Section Band: Onchan Silver (£50)

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£140)
Runner-up: Mossley Hollins High School (£70)

Best Scratch Band: Chav Brass (£50)

Hurst Village:

Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £1,875
Adjudicator: Jack Capstaff
31 competing bands

1. Foden's (£600)
2. Leyland (£400)
3. Rothwell Temperance (£200)
4. Blackburn & Darwen
5. Tyldesley
6. Ashton under Lyne

Best First Section Band: Blackburn & Darwen (£150)
Best Second Section Band: Glossop Old (£150)
Best Third Section Band: Stalybridge Old (£150)
Best Fourth Section Band: Darwen Brass (£150)

Best Youth Band: Mossley Hollins School (£100)
Runner-up: Macclesfield Youth (£50)

Best Local Band: Ashton under Lyne (£75)

First Band: Foden's (£25)
Last Band: Darwen Brass (£25)

Hyde Central:

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,405
Adjudicator: Duncan Wilson
24 competing bands

1. Foden's (£400)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£200)
3. Blackburn & Darwen (£100)
4. Leyland
5. Ratby Co-operative
6. Rivington & Adlington

Best First Section Band: Blackburn & Darwen (£60)
Runner-up: Ashton under Lyne

Best Second Section Band: Middleton (£60)
Runner-up: Poulton le Fylde

Best Third Section Band: Rivington & Adlington (£60)
Runner-up: Stalybridge Old

Best Fourth Section Band: Darwen Brass (£60)
Runner-up: St John's Mossley

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£75)

First Band: Brum Scratchers (£30)

Stalybridge Celtic FC:

Main Prize: £1,000
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard-Jones
36 competing bands

1. Foden's (£1,000)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£575)
3. Longridge (£325)
4. Leyland
5. Ratby Co-operative
6. Valley Brass

Best First Section Band: Valley Brass (£250)
Runner-up: Blackburn & Darwen

Best Second Section Band: VBS Poynton (£200)
Runner-up: Poulton le Fylde

Best Third Section Band: Stalybridge Old (£175)
Runner-up: Rode Hall

Best Fourth Section Band: Stacksteads Brass (£150)
Runner-up: Queensbury Music Centre

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£125)
Runner-up: Mossley Hollins High School

The New Stalybridge Labour Club:

Main Prize: £500
Prize Fund: £1,405
Adjudicator: Paul Norley
35 competing bands

1. Foden's (£500)
2. Leyland (£200)
3. Valley Brass (£100)
4. Darwen Brass
5. Rothwell Temperance
6. Royal Buckley

Best First Section Band: Valley Brass (£60)
Best Second Section Band: Royal Buckley Town (£60)
Best Third Section Band: Rivington & Adlington (£60)
Best Fourth Section Band: Darwen Brass (£60)

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£75)
Runner-up: HD9 Community Youth (£50)

First Band: Ratby Co-operative (£50)

Top Mossley:

Main Prize: £1,500
Prize Fund: £4,515
Contest Adjudicator: Alan Duguid
38 competing bands

1. Black Dyke (£1,500)
2. Aldbourne (£700)
3. Rothwell Temperance (£400)
4. Leyland
5. Foden's
6. Elland Silver

Best First Section Band: Elland Silver (£250)
Best Second Section Band: Lostock Hall Memorial (£250)
Best Third Section Band: Dobcross (£225)
Best Fourth Section Band: Queensbury Music Centre (£225)

Best Youth Band: Mossley Hollins High School (£200)

Best Local Band: Mossley (£275)
Runner-up: Glossop Old (£250)

Deportment:
Senior: Foden's (£100)
Junior: Mossley Hollins High School (£50)