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2024 Whit Friday
Celebrating a unique tradition

The popular and lucrative Whit Friday contests will hopefully bring the very best out of bands, participants and visitors this year.

Once again, the self-proclaimed ‘Greatest Free Show on Earth’  will head to the villages of Saddleworth and Oldham & Tameside as the popular, and lucrative Whit Friday Contests mark the start of the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend.

It is not an idle boast either – although this year it is one tempered by the determination of the hard working volunteer organisers to ensure that it is not marred by alcohol fuelled thoughtlessness and self-entitlement, by participants and visitors alike.

Everyone's interest

A day of boisterous good humour, great music-making (competitive and non-competitive) and family orientated inclusivity is in everyone’s interest. Disrespect and anti-social behaviour aren’t.  

At a time when costs are rising, local authorities are cash strapped, and the Police should have better things to do than worrying about whether a band feels entitled to play past the official contest closure time (12 midnight at all events), everyone is on an amber warning. 

A day of boisterous good humour, great music-making (competitive and non-competitive) and family orientated inclusivity is in everyone’s interest. Disrespect and anti-social behaviour aren’t.   

Respect

All the organisers have asked is for people to respect their Codes of Practice, rules and guidance for each event. 

This is first and foremost a community event organised by people who want to show to the world all that is good about a very specific form of brass banding.  

There is no self-entitlement on their behalf in hosting the contests either - a point empathised by the fact that there is over £60,000 in prize money to be won this year thanks to their hard work in persuading generous financial support from private sponsorship and Oldham & Tameside Councils.

Walks of Witness

In Mossley and across Saddleworth, the day will commence with the traditional Walks of Witness from 9.00am as churches display their declaration of their faith accompanied by both local and overseas bands.

It remains a wonderful reminder of the day’s historic community roots. 

Saddleworth Pre-register option and Code of Practice

Competing bands are reminded that the Saddleworth Whit Friday website offers valuable information to assist them on the day. This includes the optional opportunity to pre-register their intent to perform on the circuit. 

Participants are reminded of the recent Code of Practice released within Saddleworth.

Participants are reminded of the recent Code of Practice released within Saddleworth. 

Also check out road closure notices etc. https://saddind.co.uk/saddleworth-braces-for-whit-friday-festivities-traffic-restrictions-list/

To find out more go to: http://www.saddleworthwhitfriday.co.uk

Watch live

Greenfield has confirmed that their event will be live streamed by the subscription based channel BrassPass.tv.

In addition, Dobcross has indicated it will be streaming its contest live via its facebook page, Dobcross Whit Friday United Effort.

There are some late adjudicator changes this year with Chris King and Paul Norley who were due to adjudicate in Tameside at Denton and Stalybridge Labour Club respectively, replaced by Alan Bourne and Rob Burnett respectively.

Midnight finish

As previously reported on 4BR, in agreement with Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Council, all contests must be concluded by midnight on Saturday 25th May.

Results

All of the results will be published on 4BR over the course of the weekend. 

Bands are requested to show patience and respect to the organisers whilst awaiting the results.

Both Saddleworth and Tameside circuits are expected to produce a comprehensive set of results including the identity of the overall champions and prize winners. In Tameside, the result though will remain provisional until after the Bank Holiday. 

Bands are requested to show patience and respect to the organisers whilst awaiting the results.

Malcolm Wood 


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: £5,000

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: £3,690

Adjudicator: Allan Holdsworth

Contact: Andrina Baxter (07920763979)
twitter: @denshawcontest
Facebook: Denshawcontest

Diggle:
http://www.digglebandcontest.co.uk
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.30pm

Main Prize: £800
Prize Fund: £3,140

Adjudicator: Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale

Contact: B. Cliffe (07703184200)
twitter: @DiggleContest
Facebook: DiggleBandContest
Instagram: digglecontest

Dobcross:
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.00pm

Main Prize: £750
Prize Fund: £3,050

Adjudicator: Stephen Tighe

Contact: Debs Seed
twitter: @DobcrossWhitFri
Facebook: Dobcross Whit Friday United Effort 
Instagram:@dobxwhitfriday

Friezland:
All bands excluding Championship, First and Second Section
Contest: 4.30pm - 10.30pm

Main Prize: £200
Prize Fund: £885

Adjudicator: T. Newbigging

Contact: Simon Clark (07902305281)

Greenfield:
Registration from: 3.30pm
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.00pm

Main Prize: £1,000
Prize Fund: £4,750

Adjudicator: Chris Wormald

Contact: Jamie Curley (07484 628043)

Grotton:
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.00pm

Main Prize: £700
Prize Fund: £2,565

Adjudicator: Christopher Bond

Contact: Anna Oldfieid (07799200454)
twitter: @WhitBrass

Lydgate:
Contest: 4.00pm - 10.30pm

Main Prize: £1,000
Prize Fund: £3,410

Adjudicator: Martin Heartfield 

Contact: Peter Norbury (07774261491)

Lees & Springhead:
Contest: 4.30pm - 10.00pm

Main Prize: £500
Prize Fund: £1,800

Adjudicator: John Boax

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: £4,275

Adjudicator: Benjamin Richeton

Contact: Pam Armstrong (07851 370442)
Facebook: @Uppermillwhitfriday
Twitter: @UppermillWhit2


 

Tameside Council:
Area Open Champion: £2,000; 2nd: £1,000; 3rd: £750; Youth: £250
First Section: £500
Second Section: £400 
Third Section: £350 
Fourth Section: £300

Local Area Champion: £750; 2nd: £600; 3rd: £400

The Tameside Contests are supported by Tameside Council

To find out more go to: https://www.whitfridaybrass.org/copy-of-contact

Further details can be found about all contests at: https://www.whitfridaybrass.org/

Broadoak:
First Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.30pm
Last Band Registration: 10.30pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.00pm

Main Prize: £500
Prize Fund: £1,620

Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley

Contest Secretary: Janet Bower
Secretary Contact:  0161 330 1361

Carrbrook:
First Band Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 10.30pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.00pm

Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £1,540

Adjudicator: John Davies

Contest Secretary: Kathryn Heyes
Secretary Contact:  07760 274 629
Email: heyes.kathryn@gmail.com

Denton:
First Registration Time: 3.45pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 11.15pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.45pm

Main Prize: £250
Prize Fund: £1,265

Adjudicator: Alan Bourne

Contest Secretary: Jan Williams
Secretary Contact: 07780782603
Secretary Email:  janwilliams076@gmail.com

Droylsden:
First Registration Time: 3.45pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 11.00pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.30pm

Main Prize: £350
Prize Fund: £1,230

Adjudicator: Ryan Breen

Contest Secretary: Lisa Greenbrook
Secretary Contact: 07938 995 316
Secretary Email: lisaoshea@rocketmail.com

Dukinfield Tame Valley:
First Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 11.00pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.15pm

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,700

Adjudicator: Colum O'Shea

Contest Secretary: Sharon Mcdonald
Secretary Contact: 07934 553 624
Secretary Email: smmac46@gmail.com

Heyrod:
First Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.30pm
Last Registration Time: 10.55pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.00pm

Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £2,080

Adjudicator: Phillip Littlemore

Contest Secretary: Natalie McEvoy
Secretary Contact: Natalielmcevoy@googlemail.com

Hurst Village:
First Band Registration Time: 4.15pm
Contest Start Time: 4.30pm
Last Band Registration: 9.45pm
Contest Closure Time: 10.00pm

Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £1,875

Adjudicator: Jack Capstaff

Contest Secretary: Catherine Tomlinson
Secretary Contact:  07500 830583
Secretary Email: cat.tomlinson@hotmail.co.uk

Hyde Central:
First Band Registration Time: 3.30pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 9.30pm
Contest Closure Time: 10.00pm

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,405

Adjudicator: Duncan Wilson

Contest Secretary: Hugh Roderick
Secretary Contact:  07934916305
Secretary Email: hwroderick@hotmail.com

The New Stalybridge Labour Club:
First Registration Time: 4.15pm
Contest Start Time: 4.30pm
Contest Closure Time: 10.15pm
Last Band Registration: 10.30pm

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,405

Adjudicator: Rob Burnett

Contest Secretary: Adrian Pearce
Secretary Contact:  New Stalybridge Labour Club, Acres Lane, Stalybridge (SK15 2JR)
Email:  adrian.pearce@tameside.gov.uk
Tel: 07845 585 209

Top Mossley:
First Band Registration Time: 4.00pm
Contest Start Time: 4.00pm
Last Band Registration: 11.00pm
Contest Closure Time: 11.45pm

Main Prize: £1,500
Prize Fund: £4,515

Contest Adjudicator: Alan Duguid

Contest Secretary: Mr Chris Hey
Secretary Contact: 07815 571 828
Secretary Email: chey@totalropesolutions.co.uk

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