This year, Oldham Council has once again generously supported the Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday contests along with support from Saddleworth & Lees District Partnership.

Money, money, money

Once again, the top prize of £2,500 is on offer to bands who compete at a minimum of six venues around the circuit whilst Delph, Greenfield & Uppermill are offering a first prize of £1,000 to the winning band.

Spot prize

In a bid to entice bands during what can be a quiet period between 8.00pm and 9.30pm, Denshaw contest is once more offering an extra £100 to a band that books during this time and is subsequently drawn out of the hat at the end of the evening.

This is open to all bands, but in accordance with the rules, a band cannot win more than one prize on the night. If the winner is featured in the prizes, another band will be drawn out.

Polite request

The Saddleworth & Oldham Whit Friday Contest organisers have passed on to 4BR a polite statement to coach drivers and bands which has been issued by Oldham Council who thank everyone in advance for their co-operation.

The statement reads as follows:

"Police and Council officials monitoring traffic movement at last year’s event, were alarmed at the speed of some band coaches manoeuvring between the Saddleworth villages. This was particularly noticeable in the vicinity of Brownhill, which is the junction of High Street, Wool Road and Dobcross New Road at Dobcross.

In view of this they have instructed contests to advise all participating bands to ensure their coach drivers moderate their speed according to the traffic conditions and take extra care when approaching road junctions.

They should also be mindful of the need to take instruction from the stewards at individual contests and co-operate with them at all times".

We're looking forward to welcoming bands and visitors to Saddleworth for what is a truly memorable evening for everybodySaddleworth & Oldham Whit Friday Organisers

Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday Contests:

Area Open Champions: £2,500, 2nd: £1,000, 3rd: £750, Youth: £250
Local Area Champion: £750, 2nd: £600, 3rd: £400

Saddleworth & Oldham Contests are supported in 2013 by Oldham Council and Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership

Delph:
www.delph-whit-friday.co.uk

Contest: 4.15pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £1,000 from a total prize fund of £3,915
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy
Contact: Mr R. Rodgers (01457 874354)

Denshaw:
www.denshawcontest.co.uk

Contest: 4.15pm — 10.45pm
Main Prize: £750 from a total prize fund of £2,790
Adjudicator: A. Holdsworth
Contact: Hugh Broadbent (07795437453)

Diggle:
www.digglebandcontest.co.uk

Contest: 4.15pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £650 from a total prize fund of £2,245
Adjudicator: Simon Kerwin
Contact: B. Cliffe (01457 873901)

Dobcross:
Contest: 4.30pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £750 from a total prize fund of £2,405
Adjudicator: David Horsfield
Contact: A Cockburn (01457 820960)

Friezland:
3rd, 4th & Youth Sections only
Contest: 4.30pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £150 from a total prize fund of £475
Adjudicator: T. Newbigging
Contact: J. Barrett (01457 870612)

Greenacres:
Contest: 4.30pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £750 from a total prize fund of £2,405
Adjudicator: Brian Rostron
Contact: A. Clayton (0161 678 7255)

Greenfield:
Contest:4.30pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £1,000 from a total prize fund of £3,880
Adjudicator: Ray Farr
Contact: Frank Rothwell (07581341322)* during the week of the contests only

Grotton:
Contest: 4.00pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £600 from a total prize fund of £2,015
Adjudicator: Roy Roe
Contact: G. Beverley (07932 747590)

Lydgate:
Contest: 4.30pm -10.30pm
Main Prize: £800 from a total prize fund of £2,715
Adjudicator: Derek Southcott
Contact: L. Bearpak (01457 872566)

Lees and Springhead:
Contest: 4.30pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £500 from a total prize fund of £1,710
Adjudicator: Alan Fernie
Contact: W. Cullen (0161 6267625)

Scouthead and Austerlands:
Contest: 4.30pm -10.00pm
Main Prize: £800 from a total prize fund of £3,650
Adjudicator: Allan Ramsay
Contact: D. Needham (0161 6520341)

Uppermill:
Contest: 4.00pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £1,000 from a total prize fund of £2,860
Adjudicator: David Marshall
Contact: P Byrne (07703 348755)

Further details

Further details of the contests at Delph, Denshaw, Friezland, Grotton, Greenfield, Scouthead & Austerlands and Uppermill can be found in the 4BR Classifieds Section.