Venues
These are the Oldham & Saddleworth contest venues for this year.
Delph
| Times: | 4.15 - 10.30 (Youth bands before 9pm) |
| Adjudicator: | Mike Kilroy |
| Contest web-Site | |
| . | Delph Whit Friday contest featured (with a bit of poetic licence) in the 1996 film "Brassed Off", starring Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan McGregor. |
Denshaw
| Times: | 4.15 - 10.30 |
| Adjudicator: | A. Holdsworth |
| Contest web-site |
Diggle
| Times: | 4.15 - 10.30 |
| Adjudicator: | Duncan Beckley |
| Contest web-site |
Dobcross
The contest takes place in the heart of the Dobcross conservation area.
| Times: | 4.00 - 10.00 |
| Adjudicator: | B. Thompson |
There is a special Henry Livings prize for bands who have participated in the morning's Whit Walks.
There is a barbecue.
There is disabled parking at the new vicarage on Woods Lane. The vicarage is about half-way up Woods lane on the right. There is still a good 50 to 100 yards up-hill walk to Church Fields, but it is the nearest flat parking that is available.
Friezland
The Friezland contest is held in the grounds of Christ Church Friezland Parish Hall. The march takes place on Oaklands Road, opposite the church.
The contest is restricted to 3rd and 4th section bands.
| Times: | 4.30 - 10.30 |
| Adjudicator: | J. Newbigging |
| Site map |
Friezland contest has wheel-chair access with a 20 yd drop-off point. There is a disabled toilet on-site.
The contest has seating for spectators, on-site refreshments and a barbecue.
Greenacres
| Times: | 4.30 - 10.30 |
| Adjudicator: | D. Wilby |
Easy access for disabled. A couple of disabled parking spaces are reserved.
There is an on-site barbecue.
Greenfield
The Greenfield context takes place on the playing field adjacent to the cricket ground. If you are lucky, you might even be able to watch a few overs while the bands are playing.
There are ample food facilities and children's entertainment.
The march taked place along Chew Valley Road, which is the main road through the centre of Greenfield village.
| Times: | 4.30 - 10.00 |
| Adjudicator: | Ray Farr |
Wheelchair access to the field is no problem.
There is reserved disabled parking at Scotts car-park, which is 200 yds from the field. If you need to drop-off on the field, then get there early and ask any of the stewards.
Grotton
| Times: | 4.30 - 10.00 |
| Adjudicator: | Roy Roe |
| Contest web-site |
Lees & Springhead
| Times: | 4.30 - 10.00 |
| Adjudicator: | Alan Fernie |
| Site map |
Lydgate
Lydgate contest is held is hosted by the White Hart Inn, Stockport Road, Lydgate. The march takes place along Stockport Road.
| Times: | 4.30 - 10.30 |
| Adjudicator: | Derek Southcott |
| Site map |
Hot food is available on-site and there are picnic tables.
Disabled parking spaces are available at the White Hart.
Photo: David Moore
Scouthead & Austerlands
The Scouthead & Austerlands contest takes place on Dawson's Field. Bands assemble on Huddersfield Road and march from the Three Crowns pub.
Times: |
4.30 - 11.00 |
Adjudicator: |
C. Brian Buckley |
Coach parking : |
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Food & Drink:
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Barbecue, beer tent Food & drink also available at the Three Crowns pub |
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Disabled access: |
The main site is an open field but there are no problems with wheelchair access. |
The contest is set in open rural surroundings with fine views and ready access from the M62 and from Oldham.
| Site map | |
| Information sheet |
Uppermill
Uppermill was home to one of the very first Whit Friday Brass Band Contests in 1884 between just five bands (the other contests were Mossley and Stalybridge).
The contest takes place on King George V playing field. Bands assemble by the museum and march along Uppermill High Street.
| Times: | 4.00 - 10.30 |
| Adjudicator: | D. Marshall |
There are numerous hostelries and food outlets in Uppermill.