Welcome to the Denshaw Band Contest
- Start Time: 4pm. Bands may register from 2pm provided that all of your band are present and remain present until it is your turn to play.
- Last Registration: 10.30pm
- Registration form (for multiple contests)
- Registration Fee: £2
- Location: 5 Huddersfield Road, Denshaw, Oldham, OL3 5SD
- Adjudicator: Allan Holdsworth
- Bands Waiting: Number of bands waiting
- Contact: Andi Baxter 07920763979
- Disabled Access:
The Denshaw Whit Friday Band Contest began in 1993 and in its first year attracted 25 bands. Since then it has grown from strength to strength into an established and well-supported event, recognised for its friendly, welcoming and hassle-free environment. Refreshments are available at the Oddfellows Club, the Junction Inn and our pop-up stall adjacent to the playing area.
Getting here and coach parking
If you are travelling West on the M62 please use Junction 22 (not the A640 from Huddersfield as this road is closed on the night). If you are travelling East you can use Junction 21 or 22. Please park your coach on Rochdale Road (not Ripponden Road as this causes unnecessary congestion). Stewards will direct you to a turning circle. You can drop off your runner at the crossroads while your coach is parking up.
Where?
The Contest takes place on Huddersfield Road outside the Oddfellows Club. There will be a short march down from the church lych-gate but this could be further shortened to speed things up if we have a large number of bands waiting.
When?
The Contest starts around 4.00 p.m. You can book in earlier (any time from 2.00 p.m.) on a ‘first come first served’ basis but your coach and all band members must be present and must remain present until the Contest starts. We cannot accept booking-in from a runner who has not travelled with the band.
Our last booking-in time is 10.30 p.m. However, we cannot guarantee that every band booking in up to that time will be able to play, as the Police require us to close the Contest by midnight and reopen the road to traffic. If it is getting close to 10.30 p.m. and you are still hoping to play at Denshaw we advise you to ring (07920 763979 or 07415 383532) or tweet to @Denshawcontest before you arrive to check the number of bands waiting and avoid possible disappointment.
If you are intending to arrive towards the end of the evening, please be ready to play the National Anthem as you may be the last band to play.
Due to the geography of the Saddleworth Contest circuit it is worth knowing that we traditionally have a quiet spell around 8.00 to 9.30 p.m. If you are able to come during these times you will usually be guaranteed of a short wait and you will be entered into our ‘spot prize’ draw. This prize of £100 is available to all bands, irrespective of classification, provided that your band does not go on to win another prize at Denshaw when the final results are calculated.
Information at booking-in
Please have the following information to hand when booking in:
- Name of band
- Section
- Paper copy of march to be played
- Contact details (so we can send your results after the Contest)
- Colour of uniforms (so we can find you on the night!)
- £2 entry fee
Please make sure that your band is ready for the march down at the right time as we don’t want to be sending our volunteers to try to find you when it is your turn! It would be a good idea if you could have someone waiting near the Contest Co-ordinator, who will be able to tell you when to assemble your band. If your band is not ready in time, it will lose its turn. This is not only frustrating for you but it also causes logistical problems for us. Occasionally a band will book in but decide later not to wait. If you are going to do this please don’t just drive off – let us know that you are going.
How many bands are waiting?
We will be using the ‘Bands Waiting’ facility on this website and we will also be tweeting regularly during the evening to keep you updated. Please make sure that you follow us on @DenshawContest.
Do you need more information?
More information, including prize money and our rules can be found on our website www.denshawcontest.co.uk
Denshawfactsheet25