It is with great regret that the Saddleworth and Oldham Group of Whit Friday Band Contests, with the backing of Oldham Council Officers, have taken the difficult decision tocancel the 2021 event on 28 th May.
Having taken into account the current and projected situation regarding Covid19, they are of the opinion that it would be irresponsible to stage this year’s contests.
Vaccine protection will not be complete and an organised gathering of people, whilst invarious stage of protection, would be considered foolhardy and dangerous. We must support all the Emergency services who have enough problems without our event adding to the extra burden.
We have also taken into consideration the fact that bands will have had little or no chance to rehearse and to travel in a ‘Covid safe’ manner would be impossible.
It was never anticipated this pandemic would last so long, but hopefully we can get back to something like normality in time for 10th June 2022.
Bob Rodgers
Group Co-ordinator
BOPA UPDATE
We have been working with Brass Bands England and the Oldham Council Safeguarding team to find a solution to manage these regulations within the Whit Friday Contest setting. We are required to return two pieces of information to Oldham Council at the end of the Contests – the number of under 16 players with each band, and the number of adults who are accompanying them. This information is included in our TELL US YOU ARE COMING FORM , and will help us to manage this data, without having to collect anything on the night.
Please TELL US YOU ARE COMING! We would like you to give us basic details about your band, so that each contest can use the information. You don’t have to say where you are going, just that you are heading for the hills!
Talking of hills – have a look here at our map of the area.
Saddleworth Whit Friday Brass Band Contests are supported by
