IT’S too early to confirm if there will be an Autumn Leaves brass band contest encore next year. But Greenfield’s inaugural musical party in the…
View More Band-tastic! Autumn Leaves contest huge success!
Tag: Whit Friday
Whit Friday spirit alive in Saddleworth
WHIT Friday celebrations and band contests were officially cancelled for a second year – but locals kept the spirit of the day alive with their…
View More Whit Friday spirit alive in Saddleworth
Definitely not brassed off! Whit Friday group recognised with Queen’s Award
ORGANISERS of Saddleworth’s annual brass band spectacular can blow their own trumpets and bang the drum in celebration of receiving royal approval. Saddleworth and Oldham…
View More Definitely not brassed off! Whit Friday group recognised with Queen’s Award
Here we row again! Frank plots another seaman’s mission
HARDLY had he stepped foot on dry land when Atlantic adventurer Frank Rothwell decided he wanted to reprise his ocean crossing. So, providing his plans…
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Spring in Saddleworth by John Kirkbride
John Kirkbride takes a look at what spring might bring in Saddleworth this year TO me, spring is a time of regeneration and optimism, and…
View More Spring in Saddleworth by John Kirkbride
Whit Friday Brass Band Contests cancelled for second year due to Covid-19 pandemic
THE Whit Friday Brass Band Contests have been cancelled in Saddleworth and Oldham for the second year running due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Group Co-ordinator…
View More Whit Friday Brass Band Contests cancelled for second year due to Covid-19 pandemic
Whit Friday traditions celebrated in Diggle despite lockdown
LOCKDOWN did not stop one Whit Friday-loving village from celebrating the annual Saddleworth tradition. A poster was circulated online encouraging the Diggle community to decorate…
View More Whit Friday traditions celebrated in Diggle despite lockdown
Saddleworth Parish Council secures 30-year lease of treasured Scouthead site
SADDLEWORTH Parish Council has agreed a 30-year lease for Dawson’s Field in Scouthead to ensure the green space can continue to be used by the…
View More Saddleworth Parish Council secures 30-year lease of treasured Scouthead site
Spooky Scarecrow Trail brings Halloween half-term fun to Lees and Springhead
By Maddie Zygmunt JOIN in some Halloween fun this half-term with a Spooky Scarecrow Trail around Lees and Springhead. The trail has been organised by…
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Banners fly high for Walks of Witness despite wet weather
BANNERS flew high as churches across Saddleworth braved the rain to step out for their Walks of Witness on June 14. A United Service in…
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Appeal to save Whit Friday tradition
DEDICATED brass band musicians are driving a novel fundraising idea aimed at saving a community-wide tradition. Saddleworth’s annual Whit Friday brass band contests are hailed as…
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Brighouse and Rastrick are best of the bands at Whit Friday contests
THREE was the magic number for Whit Friday regulars, Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band. The National champions from West Yorkshire didn’t allow the rain or…
View More Brighouse and Rastrick are best of the bands at Whit Friday contests
Whit Friday spirit as churches step out across community
THE wet weather could not dampen spirits as churches across Saddleworth took to the streets for Whit Friday. The annual Walks of Witness across the…
View More Whit Friday spirit as churches step out across community
Brass bands ready to march as Whit Friday band contests return
THE hills will resound with the sound of brass as Whit Fridays Band Contests return. The popular events sees bands and visitors travel from all…
View More Brass bands ready to march as Whit Friday band contests return
Castle Water on their way to put wind up the opposition on Whit Friday
REGULAR Whit Friday contestants should take note of a new band on the programme this year. They would certainly be wise not to underestimate the…
View More Castle Water on their way to put wind up the opposition on Whit Friday
Church banners set to fly high for Whit Friday walks across Saddleworth
Banners will fly high as churches across Saddleworth step out on to the streets to mark the Whit Friday celebrations on May 25 with their…
View More Church banners set to fly high for Whit Friday walks across Saddleworth
Win for Marsden brass band helps them tune up for more events
MEMBERS of a Marsden brass band are blowing their own trumpets after coming first in a competition to take home £750. The winnings, donated by…
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Fancy dressed locals keep Saddleworth Beer Walk tradition alive
By Lily Chick MORE THAN 200 fun-loving locals braved the rain and donned fancy dress to keep the spirit of a legendary Saddleworth tradition alive.…
View More Fancy dressed locals keep Saddleworth Beer Walk tradition alive
Archbishop of York to join Dobcross for Whit Friday
A SADDLEWORTH village has pulled off a remarkable coup for the community’s annual Whit Friday celebrations this year. The Most Reverend & Right Honourable Dr…
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Archbishop of York is special guest at Saddleworth’s legendary Whit Friday walks
GAZING to the heavens the special guest at Saddleworth’s legendary Whit Friday united service was absolutely determined it would not rain on his parade. The charismatic…
View More Archbishop of York is special guest at Saddleworth’s legendary Whit Friday walks
Best of brass comes to Saddleworth for Whit Friday contests
HUNDREDS OF bands from around the world descended on Saddleworth for the annual Whit Friday Brass Band contests. The villages each hosted their own contests,…
View More Best of brass comes to Saddleworth for Whit Friday contests
Sound of music in Delph as annual Scarecrow Trail returns
THE SOUND is music is waiting to be discovered as the popular annual Delph Scarecrow Trail returns. The Scarecrows are now on display throughout the…
View More Sound of music in Delph as annual Scarecrow Trail returns
Saddleworth set for another wonderful Whit Friday celebration
SADDLEWORTH IS gearing up for another wonderful Whit Friday on June 9 as visitors come from across the country for the traditional event. On the morning of…
View More Saddleworth set for another wonderful Whit Friday celebration
New Greenfield team gets ready for Whit Friday Band Contest
A NEW team is heading up Greenfield’s Whit Friday contest organisation as Saddleworth’s villages prepare for another “greatest free show in the country”. New Chairman…
View More New Greenfield team gets ready for Whit Friday Band Contest
Travelling communities moved on after settling at two Saddleworth sites
TRAVELLING COMMUNITIES have been peacefully moved on from Saddleworth after settling at two disused sites. The group, containing seven caravans, first arrived at Fletchers Mill…
View More Travelling communities moved on after settling at two Saddleworth sites
Get crafty with music mayhem family workshop at Saddleworth Museum
ENJOY SOME musical mayhem at Saddleworth Museum inspired by local brass bands and the upcoming popular Whit Friday events. On Thursday, June 1, there is…
View More Get crafty with music mayhem family workshop at Saddleworth Museum
Australia’s Tanunda Town Band are special guests in Dobcross
By Ken Bennett THE OLDEST brass band in the Southern Hemisphere is to make a star-studded appearance at one of Saddleworth’s oldest band clubs. Dobcross…
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Redrow sponsorship boost for Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday Brass Band Contests
THE Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday Brass Band Contests have been given a funding boost thanks to sponsorships from Redrow Homes to the tune of…
View More Redrow sponsorship boost for Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday Brass Band Contests
Touching tributes paid to popular cornet player at Whit Friday brass band contests
TOUCHING TRIBUTES were paid at this year’s Whit Friday Brass Band contests to a popular cornet player who died in May. Delph raised Mark Rodgers, who…
View More Touching tributes paid to popular cornet player at Whit Friday brass band contests
Saddleworth streets thronged for annual Whit Friday walks and band contests
COLOURFUL BANNERS flew high and proud voices swelled and rolled skyward as hundreds of men, women and children filled Saddleworth’s streets for the traditional Whit…
View More Saddleworth streets thronged for annual Whit Friday walks and band contests
Tributes to be paid to popular cornet player Mark Rodgers at Whit Friday band contests
SADDLEWORTH’S Whit Friday Band Contests will be missing one of its most popular and talented musicians this year. Delph raised Mark Rodgers, who performed for…
View More Tributes to be paid to popular cornet player Mark Rodgers at Whit Friday band contests
Whit Friday ‘greatest free show on earth’ returns to Saddleworth
THOUSANDS OF people from across the borough and beyond are set to enjoy a spectacular day of free entertainment and fun at the famous Whit…
View More Whit Friday ‘greatest free show on earth’ returns to Saddleworth
Churches and bands at the ready as Whit Friday returns to Saddleworth
Whit Friday returns to Saddleworth on Friday, May 20. In the morning, churches will hold short services before their Walk of Witness: Delph – Service in…
View More Churches and bands at the ready as Whit Friday returns to Saddleworth
New Mayor of Austerlands continues ancient tradition
A UNIQUE decades-old tradition is continuing as a new Mayor of Austerlands has been appointed at a special ceremony. Mike Platt, former deputy head of…
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