Often described as 'the greatest free show on Earth', the Saddleworth & District Whit Friday Brass Band Contests take place every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday
From the earliest recorded contest in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. Last year well over a hundred brass bands participated in some twenty different contests at venues scattered around the moorland villages and towns on the western edge of the Pennines. All of the contests are open-air, many in delightful surroundings. The area has a very strong tradition of brass band music. In the weeks before Whit Friday, the sounds of rehearsals echo across the hillsides from the various band rooms and village halls. There are thriving bands in some of the tiniest villages. And the best bands are world class.

The contests are open to all-comers. So the local youth bands get to match their skills against the top bands of the country. For bandsmen, the dash from contest to contest makes for an exhilarating (though exhausting) evening. See the comments in the guest book. This is a major event in the brass band calendar and bands travel the length of the country to participate, some even turning up from overseas.

Tags:   Brass bands Whit Friday Whit Friday Band Contest 2023 Bands Band Contest Greenfield Saddleworth Music Musicians Brass Village Village Life Concert Craig Hannah 2023 June Outdoors Canon Photography Event Traditional Brassed Off People West Riding Yorkshire Oldham Greater Manchester England UK Instrument Pennine Peak District Show St John's Brass Band (Mossley)

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Often described as 'the greatest free show on Earth', the Saddleworth & District Whit Friday Brass Band Contests take place every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday
From the earliest recorded contest in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. Last year well over a hundred brass bands participated in some twenty different contests at venues scattered around the moorland villages and towns on the western edge of the Pennines. All of the contests are open-air, many in delightful surroundings. The area has a very strong tradition of brass band music. In the weeks before Whit Friday, the sounds of rehearsals echo across the hillsides from the various band rooms and village halls. There are thriving bands in some of the tiniest villages. And the best bands are world class.

The contests are open to all-comers. So the local youth bands get to match their skills against the top bands of the country. For bandsmen, the dash from contest to contest makes for an exhilarating (though exhausting) evening. See the comments in the guest book. This is a major event in the brass band calendar and bands travel the length of the country to participate, some even turning up from overseas.

Tags:   Brass bands Whit Friday Whit Friday Band Contest 2023 Bands Band Contest Greenfield Saddleworth Music Musicians Brass Village Village Life Concert Craig Hannah 2023 June Outdoors Canon Photography Event Traditional Brassed Off People West Riding Yorkshire Oldham Greater Manchester England UK Instrument Pennine Peak District Show Brighouse Brass Band

© All Rights Reserved

Often described as 'the greatest free show on Earth', the Saddleworth & District Whit Friday Brass Band Contests take place every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday
From the earliest recorded contest in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. Last year well over a hundred brass bands participated in some twenty different contests at venues scattered around the moorland villages and towns on the western edge of the Pennines. All of the contests are open-air, many in delightful surroundings. The area has a very strong tradition of brass band music. In the weeks before Whit Friday, the sounds of rehearsals echo across the hillsides from the various band rooms and village halls. There are thriving bands in some of the tiniest villages. And the best bands are world class.

The contests are open to all-comers. So the local youth bands get to match their skills against the top bands of the country. For bandsmen, the dash from contest to contest makes for an exhilarating (though exhausting) evening. See the comments in the guest book. This is a major event in the brass band calendar and bands travel the length of the country to participate, some even turning up from overseas.

Tags:   Brass bands Whit Friday Whit Friday Band Contest 2023 Bands Band Contest Greenfield Saddleworth Music Musicians Brass Village Village Life Concert Craig Hannah 2023 June Outdoors Canon Photography Event Traditional Brassed Off People West Riding Yorkshire Oldham Greater Manchester England UK Instrument Pennine Peak District Show Gresley Colliery Brass Band

© All Rights Reserved

Often described as 'the greatest free show on Earth', the Saddleworth & District Whit Friday Brass Band Contests take place every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday
From the earliest recorded contest in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. Last year well over a hundred brass bands participated in some twenty different contests at venues scattered around the moorland villages and towns on the western edge of the Pennines. All of the contests are open-air, many in delightful surroundings. The area has a very strong tradition of brass band music. In the weeks before Whit Friday, the sounds of rehearsals echo across the hillsides from the various band rooms and village halls. There are thriving bands in some of the tiniest villages. And the best bands are world class.

The contests are open to all-comers. So the local youth bands get to match their skills against the top bands of the country. For bandsmen, the dash from contest to contest makes for an exhilarating (though exhausting) evening. See the comments in the guest book. This is a major event in the brass band calendar and bands travel the length of the country to participate, some even turning up from overseas.

Tags:   Brass bands Whit Friday Whit Friday Band Contest 2023 Bands Band Contest Greenfield Saddleworth Music Musicians Brass Village Village Life Concert Craig Hannah 2023 June Outdoors Canon Photography Event Traditional Brassed Off People West Riding Yorkshire Oldham Greater Manchester England UK Instrument Pennine Peak District Show Tottingham Brass Band

© All Rights Reserved

Often described as 'the greatest free show on Earth', the Saddleworth & District Whit Friday Brass Band Contests take place every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday
From the earliest recorded contest in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. Last year well over a hundred brass bands participated in some twenty different contests at venues scattered around the moorland villages and towns on the western edge of the Pennines. All of the contests are open-air, many in delightful surroundings. The area has a very strong tradition of brass band music. In the weeks before Whit Friday, the sounds of rehearsals echo across the hillsides from the various band rooms and village halls. There are thriving bands in some of the tiniest villages. And the best bands are world class.

The contests are open to all-comers. So the local youth bands get to match their skills against the top bands of the country. For bandsmen, the dash from contest to contest makes for an exhilarating (though exhausting) evening. See the comments in the guest book. This is a major event in the brass band calendar and bands travel the length of the country to participate, some even turning up from overseas.

Tags:   Brass bands Whit Friday Whit Friday Band Contest 2023 Bands Band Contest Greenfield Saddleworth Music Musicians Brass Village Village Life Concert Craig Hannah 2023 June Outdoors Canon Photography Event Traditional Brassed Off People West Riding Yorkshire Oldham Greater Manchester England UK Instrument Pennine Peak District Show Silk Brass

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