The organisers of the Tameside Whit Friday contests have told 4BR that they wish to express their thanks to all competing bands who took part in the contests in their areas this year.

However, they also made it very clear that they are 'fed up to the hilt' by the actions of a small minority of competitors and representatives who they feel are now tarnishing the ethos and enjoyment of the famous event.

Debrief

4BR was invited to a collective debrief meeting where high praise and strongly worded criticism were heard in almost equal measure.

In thanking the bands for their overwhelmingly excellent support, organisers also wished to make it clear that any abusive or bullying behaviour will no longer be tolerated and that appropriate action will be taken.

Due to the nature of their concerns and of the information given, they agreed to speak to 4BR with the understanding that their individual identities be respected.

Pleasure

One contest organiser told 4BR: "We volunteer to host these contests for the benefit of our communities, and the overwhelming number of competing bands and their representative's work with us to ensure our contests are a success.

We all have a wonderful time with bands from the very top of the Championship Section to youth, scratch and overseas ensembles. They are an absolute pleasure to deal with — patient, cooperative and supportive on what is invariably a very hectic and at times, stressful day.

Fed up

They added though: "We are also becoming increasingly fed up to the hilt with a small minority who believe it their right to be uncooperative, deliberately ignore well established rules and procedures and abuse the ethos of what this wonderful tradition of Whit Friday contesting is all about."

Examples

Throughout the evening 4BR was told of numerous examples of good, bad and downright unpleasant behaviour — the worst of which resulted in one band being disqualified for a second successive year before they had performed.

In addition, a number of organisers nodded in agreement when the name of one band was revealed as systematically ringing venues well into the early hours of the next morning, demanding to know their results.

Another contest organiser told 4BR: "We are aware that bands want to know where they came, but all we ask is that they show respect and understanding. They are fully aware that for the sake of a few hours, the results will be published on the internet.

Having a band representative ring after 2.00am in the morning demanding to know where they came when we are trying to clear everything away after a busy day isn't helpful or appreciated."

Successful night

They added: "All of the venues invest a great amount of personal time throughout the year raising prize money and doing everything they can to ensure a successful night, but unfortunately some bands are starting to make unpleasant bullying nuisances of themselves."

Collated

Tameside contest organisers are requested to make their results known at a central collating point where they are scrutinised. By doing this it is hoped to have the formal results known by Saturday lunchtime.

It is understood that in Saddleworth, whilst contests also publish individually, they also go to a central point to be collated, scrutinised and formally announced as soon as possible.

Validity

4BR was also made aware of bands who are now questioning the validity of results with contest organisers.

One contest controller told 4BR: "There's always the odd phone call over something from a lost mobile to a lost wallet, but a couple of bands have started to ring to persistently question the adjudicator's decision."

What happens on Whit Friday reflects on all of us — the local community and the brass band community together. It's a fantastic occasion — nothing better in the worldTameside Contest organiser

Work together

As one contest organiser told 4BR on the way out: "What happens on Whit Friday reflects on all of us — the local community and the brass band community together. It's a fantastic occasion — nothing better in the world.

Over the years, genuine mistakes and misunderstandings are made — from organisers and competing bands, but there can be no excuse made in future for some of the unpleasant behaviour and attitudes that are now creeping in with a very small minority of people.

Hopefully all those who have the welfare of this great event at heart can work together to ensure that it is stopped in its tracks."