A COMMUNITY Rector has expressed her “delight” that churches of Saddleworth are celebrating Whit Friday again tomorrow after two years of the pandemic.
Lydgate, Friezland, Dobcross, Diggle and Uppermill Churches will be marching with their banners to the King George V playing fields for the usual 11am celebration of songs and prayers, shared by hundreds of villagers in Uppermll.
Denshaw, Delph and Greenfield have their own separate village events.
Rev Canon Sharon Jones, team rector, said: “ This annual spectacle has been a unique feature of our community for many decades; a link with precious memories and a statement of hope and faith for the future.
“Everyone across Saddleworth is invited to participate and make this Jubilee year a very special celebration.”
She added: “We are praying for fine weather.”
Friday sees the return of “The Greatest free show on earth” with the colourful Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday band contests.
Thousands of visitors are expected to share the excitement when more than a hundred local and international brass bands are expected to compete for prizes in a £40,000 prize pot.
Bands will compete in Uppermill, Delph, Denshaw, Diggle, Dobcross, Friezland, Greenfield, Grotton, Lees and Springhead, Lydgate, Scouthead and Austerlands.
Robert Rodgers is coordinator of the administration of central area prize Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday band contest and had been involved in the event since 1968.
He said: “The contests are truly spectacular and show the very best of brass babd music. We are grateful of Oldham Council’s support of this.“
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