Details for this year's Whit Friday contests which take place on 14th June 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.

Diggle and Lydgate to remember judging stalwarts

The competing bands will once again have to impress an experienced line-up of judges that include Mike Kilroy, Jonathan Pippen and Chris Wormald. Brian Rostron will oversee the judging duties at Dobcross whilst the past twelve months has seen the passing of two respected judges on the circuit: Simon Kerwin and Derek Southcott.

Both men will be sadly missed at Diggle and Lydgate where they presided over the proceedings for many years, with the contests. Tabby Kerwin (Diggle) and Sam Fisher (Lydgate) will officiate this year with organisers from both contests placing on record their thanks to both judges for their assistance.

New Website

Competing bands are reminded that a new website has been created to help bands gain further information on the Whit Friday contests on the famous Saddleworth circuit.

The new site has details and links to all contests, a map of the area and a contact form where bands can submit if they wish their details to all of the contests before the event.

This will not register them in any way for a particular contest, but it will give organisers helpful contact details ahead of time.

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

Over £30,000 in prize money is up for grabs this year with the defending champion, Brighouse & Rastrick expected to defend their title they've held for the past two years4BR

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: 4.00pm— 10.30pm
Main Prize: £800 from a total prize fund of £3,215
Adjudicator: Tabby Kerwin
Contact: B. Cliffe (07703184200)
twitter: @DiggleContest

Dobcross:

Contest: 4.00pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: £750 from a total prize fund of £2,995
Adjudicator: Brian Rostron
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 from a total prize fund of £4,350
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald
Contact: Frank Rothwell (07802938270)

Grotton:

Contest: 4.00pm — 10.00pm
Main Prize: tbc
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: Sam Fisher
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