Information for Visitors

Whit Friday in Saddleworth can be bewildering so we hope that the information here will help you to plan your visit.

Eleven band contests take place on the evening of Whit Friday and, although very close geographically, they are completely independent of each other. Each contest has its own rules, organisation and prizes, however bands who compete in at least six of the contests are then eligible to win one of the coveted Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday Band Contest Area Prizes.

This means that on Whit Friday evening there can be as many as 100 coaches driving around our villages trying to get their bands to as many contests as possible!

THE CONTESTS

click on the links to find out more about each contest

The contests never know which bands are going to play at their village so there is always much excitement when one of the top class bands arrives. Or will it be any of the scratch bands that come together just for Whit Friday to entertain the crowds?

You are also likely to see overseas bands competing, quite often carrying their national flag or dressed in national costume.

It is always a treat to see the youngsters from the Youth bands compete for their own section prizes and if a band from the contest’s own village arrives, expect lots of appreciative applause.

All contests have a street march when the bands can play a non-traditional piece of music if they wish and audiences will line the streets to watch them march. Some contests have a deportment prize for this section. Check the contest links above to see which prizes are on offer at each contest.

At the street marches, you will see a volunteer marshal walking in front of each band with the band’s name and the tune they will be playing for their contest piece. This is because this piece is judged ‘blind’ – you will never see the adjudicator, who will be quite often sat in a caravan near the stage or in a nearby house.

The contested piece is then played on a ‘stage’ which can be an actual stage, a bandstand, a village green, or even the back of a flatbed truck! All bands take this part of the contest extremely seriously. Whether they are smartly dressed in traditional band uniforms, or in fancy dress, every band will want to play their very best to win one of their Section’s prizes in the individual contests or the overall Area Prizes.

Getting Around

General vehicle access is very restricted during the contests with temporary No Parking zones and road closures across the area.

There is a suggested walking/cycling route shown on this Visitors Map which will take you around the villages on roads and canal paths. It is by no means the only route you can take but be careful about relying too much on standard Google Map directions which may direct you on to paths more suitable for hill walkers. Although approximate distances are given, remember that Saddleworth is in the Pennines – there are a lot of hills!

We have good public transport links: from Manchester and Huddersfield by train, and Oldham and Ashton Under Lyne by bus and the Visitors Map contains information about the relevant bus routes.

Also, be very careful when you are walking or cycling on public roads. Band coaches will be driving between the contests all through the evening trying to get their bands to as many of the contests as they can so that they will be eligible for one of the area prizes.