Details for this year's Whit Friday contests which take place on 25th May have been announced by the organisers of Saddleworth & Oldham District.

The event which is run by the individual contests is supported by Oldham Council and Saddleworth & Lees District Partnership, and there is around £30,000 in prize money to be won on the circuit this year courtesy of the generous financial support from private sponsorship and Oldham Council.

A fine Bank Holiday

The eleven popular venues will once again be anticipating a large number of bands with the contest this year falling at the start of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

Williams to judge

The competing bands will once again have to impress an experienced line-up of judges that include Mike Kilroy, Jonathan Pippen and Chris Wormald. For the first time, former Foden's euphoinium player Glyn Williams presides over the contenders in the picturesque village of Dobcross.

BrassPass tv

4BR understands that the recently launched Brass Passtv subscription service is planning to be in Saddleworth to bring live coverage and a flavour of the evening. Further details can be found at: http://brasspass.tv/

Over £30,000 in prize money is up for grabs this year with the defending champion, Brighouse & Rastrick expected to defend their title4BR

Venues:

Saddleworth & Oldham District:

Area Open Champions: £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 and Saddleworth & Lees District Partnership

Delph:

http://www.delph-whit-friday.co.uk
Contest: 4.15pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £1,000 from a total prize fund of £4,000
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy
Contact: Mr R. Rodgers (01457 874354)
twitter: @delphcontest

Denshaw:

http://www.denshawcontest.co.uk/
Contest: 4.00pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £1,000 from a total prize fund of £3,690
Adjudicator: Allan Holdsworth
Contact: Andrina Baxter (07920763979)
twitter: @denshawcontest

Diggle:

http://www.digglebandcontest.co.uk
Contest: 4.15pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £800 from a total prize fund of £3015
Adjudicator: Simon Kerwin
Contact: B. Cliffe (01457 873901)
twitter: @DiggleContest

Dobcross:

Contest: 4.00pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £750 from a total prize fund of £2,995
Adjudicator: Glyn Williams
Contact: Gavin Roberts (07877015169)
twitter: @DobcrossWhitFri

Friezland:

3rd, 4th & Youth Sections only
Contest: 4.30pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £200 from a total prize fund of £575
Adjudicator: T. Newbigging
Contact: J. Barrett (01457 870612)

Greenfield:

Registration from: 3.30pm
Contest: 4.00pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £1,000
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald
Contact: Dave Allonby (07967 455663)

Grotton:

Contest: 4.00pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £700 from a total prize fund of £2,465
Adjudicator: Nicholas Garmon
Contact: Graham Talboys-Smith (07761 593342)
twitter: @WhitBrass

Lydgate:

Contest: 4.00pm -10.30pm
Main Prize: £850 from a total prize fund of £3,210
Adjudicator: Derek Southcott
Contact: Gordon Beverley (07932 747590)

Lees & Springhead:

Contest: 4.30pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £500 from a total prize fund of £1,755
Adjudicator: Alan Fernie
Contact: Val Sedgewick ( 07732516333)

Scouthead & Austerlands:

Contest: 4.15pm -11.00pm
Main Prize: £800 from a total prize fund of £3,680
Adjudicator: Jonathan Pippen
Contact: D. Needham (0161 6520341)
Bands waiting on the night number: (07880 743876)

Uppermill:

Contest: 4.00pm — 10.30pm
Main Prize: £1,000 from a total prize fund of £2,660
Adjudicator: David Marshall
Contact: Pam Byrne (01457 820149)
twitter: @BandContest