Thousands of spectators filled the villages of Saddleworth on Friday to take part in the annual Whit Friday celebrations.
This year’s event saw more bands than ever register for the Whit Friday Brass Band Contest, which dates back to an earliest-recorded contest in 1884.
Known locally as the “greatest free show on earth” this year’s Whit Friday did not disappoint with crowds pouring into the villages to soak up the sun and live music.
Speaking just before the contest began, Phillip Cumberworth, the conductor of the Dobcross Brass Monkeys, who lives in Greenfield and has been attending the event for 53 years, said he enjoys “seeing old friends” at Whit Friday.
“You see band members that have long moved on with another band at Whit Friday and it’s great seeing them," he said.
“Dobcross Brass Monkeys was set up to teach people who have gone through life saying, ‘I wish I’d learned
Warming up ahead of the march, Oli Wilson, chairman of the Langley Band which formed 145 years ago and whose members came from the West Midlands to take part, said: “We are doing a Star Wars theme on the march down.
“We did the theme 10 years ago and have done it every year since.”
Discussing what makes the event so special, Oli said: “There’s bands including the Dobcross Brass Monkeys, the Uppermill band, and The WFEL Fairey Band here and we’re getting to play with all those people at the same time and a lot of them are a lot better than us.”
Preparing ahead of the procession, Keith Welsh, a trombone player in Uppermill band, said: “I’ve been coming to Whit Friday for about 20 years and the camaraderie no matter what band you’re in and catching up with mates is what makes it so special.”
Commenting on what it takes to win the contest he said: “You need stamina, a good set of lips, and a good team.”
Also waiting ahead of the march was Jennifer Ward, who plays percussion in Uppermill Band and serves as the band’s treasurer, she said: “Our children started in the band first and then we got involved.
“The camaraderie and healthy competitiveness are what makes Whit Friday and it’s great to see everyone from the different bands each year. It takes lots of practise to win it’s very competitive.”
Alan Winstanley, one of the many members of the crowd lining the High Street in Uppermill, said: “I’ve come from Wigan to Saddleworth today.
“This is England, it’s as traditional and lovely as it gets.”
Also in the crowd was Stephen Rimmer, from Saddleworth, who attends the event every year.
He said: “This is the best free show in the world it really is. When the sun shines it’s wonderful.”
Tom Penketh and his mum Jo, from Royton, were meanwhile sat on the grass verge taking in the marches.
Jo said: “We come every year to listen to the bands and take part in something in the community.”
Following the march up High Street in Uppermill the bands then played again on a stage in Uppermill Park in front of another crowd and adjudicator before moving onto the next village.
Hiroko Inada, who was watching her partner George Boote play in the Chiltern Brass Band on the stage, said: “We don’t live in the area we live in Surrey, but George grew up here in Saddleworth.
“It’s so nice to see the brass bands here as part of the culture.”
Also watching the bands on stage in Uppermill Park was Katie Wilson and son George, six, from Saddleworth.
Katie said: “We come every year. It’s nice that everybody has come together to celebrate it’s a great atmosphere.
Agreeing, Stacy from Uppermill, who did not give her last name, said: “It’s a one-off thing you don’t get this anywhere else.
Echoing her comments, Deborah Parkinson, from Dobcross, said: “When my two girls were little, they always walked round with the bands so that was really nice.
"There’s a community feel. Everyone comes together as a community which you don’t get anywhere else.”
Similarly, Hillary Henderson, from Uppermill who is a member of the St Chad Parish Church in Saddleworth and plays music in serval local churches, said: “My family have always been involved in brass bands my son used to play the cornet in the Dobcross Youth Band and my daughter played the baritone.
“As a parent I would follow them from village to village and try and see them at least three times it’s a very proud moment as a parent.
“We come every year and I assist with the St Chad’s Church banner walk in the morning. It’s a wonderful family event and great to be able to get together as a community and really enjoy something traditional and historic.
“It’s about coming together and that’s what the Saddleworth community does so well.”
On Sunday it was announced that The Brighouse and Rastrick Band won the band contest overall.
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