4BR has been informed that the Saddleworth and Oldham Area Whit Friday contests will go ahead with the usual prize money thanks to cash injection of £7,500 by Oldham Council.

Under threat

The council will also cover the cost of traffic management in the area, a concern which had threatened the event this year.

The funds were further boosted by £1,500 from the Navigation Band concert organised by Gilbert Symes and Phil Beckwith in mid-January.

Since then Council leader, Councillor Howard Sykes announced that Oldham Council would return as major sponsors of the area championships.

Since 2005 when Oldham MBC withdrew their support, the group has relied on private sponsorship and the Navigation Concert proceeds to maintain the championships.

It's great news that the Council have ageed to back us once again. Some of our local councillors have worked very hard to obtain the funding and we would like to say a big thank you to all involvedBob Rodgers

Great news

Bob Rodgers, Chair of the Saddleworth and Oldham Group told 4BR: "It's great news that the Council have ageed to back us once again. Some of our local councillors have worked very hard to obtain the funding and we would like to say a big thank you to all involved."

Council support

In a press statement issued to the Oldham Evening Chronicle, Councillor Barbara Beeley, Community Champion for the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership said: "I have been pleased to support the Band Committees in their search for funding. I am sure we all recognise the importance of the Saddleworth and Oldham Band Contests which are the biggest annual event on the local calendar in many of our villages. Not only is this important to our local communities, however, it is also a key way in which we celebrate our heritage and promote the image of our Borough externally."

Delighted

Howard Sykes, Council Leader, added: "Nobody is immune from financial pressure related to the recession, so we are delighted to have been able to help ensure that such a showcase event will continue in 2010. The band contests are exactly the kind of cause that we established the Priority Investment Fund to support."