The bands are back in town!

BANDS from up and down the country – and even abroad – will march the streets of Saddleworth once more for the Whit Friday Band Contests.

On the evening of Friday, June 14, the villages will hold their annual events which are enjoyed by locals and people flocking from far and wide.

The earliest recorded contest was in 1884, and in 2018, more than 100 brass bands participated in twenty different contests across Saddleworth.

Bands play two pieces, one on the march and then their well-rehearsed show-piece, with each performance scored ‘blind’ by an adjudicator hidden nearby.

Each contest – which all are organised by volunteers – offers prizes for the best band, best youth band, best soloists etc.

Traffic and parking restrictions are imposed by OMBC in the immediate vicinity of each contest site where necessary, as well as road closures and diversions to allow the concerts and marches to take place.

Contests will be held at:

Delph 4.15pm-10.30pm

Denshaw 4pm-10.30pm

Dobcross 4pm-10pm

Friezland 4.30pm-10.30pm

Greenfield 4pm-10pm

Grotton 4pm-10pm

Lees and Springhead 4.30pm-10pm

Lydgate 4pm-10.30pm

Scouthead and Austerlands 4.15pm-11pm

Uppermill 4pm-10.30pm

Find out more online:
http://whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org/intro.html

For details of road closures and travel information during the Whit Walks and Band Contests, check Oldham Council’s website: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/bandcontest