Bands on the march

Diggle “B” in action at their first "home" band contest

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

Dismal weather can’t halt best of brass record entry

A BRASS band champion praised “4,000 heroes” who notched up a record entry for Saddleworth’s Whit Friday brass band contests.

Despite horrendous weather, the worst for 37 years, 149 bands competed in contests across 12 villages.

Bob Rodgers is chairman of the central committee which organises the show, and chairman of Delph Brass Band contest.

He said: “The remarkable record turn-out for the contest in absolutely dreadful weather underpins the loyalty of the bands, local committees and supporters, backed by the police and council.

“The weather was dire — but it took nothing away from bands from across the country who came to Saddleworth to make their own significant contribution.”

And although the bands competed for total prize money worth more than £36,000 this year, Mr Rodgers is concerned some contests next year could be in jeopardy.

He added: “If we don’t get some kind-hearted sponsors on board, bands could face real hardship. The only way we could fund the prizes would be to consider a levy of hundreds of pounds on each contest to subsidise the prize money.

“I am hoping there are some community benefactors willing to help with funding. We need about £7,000.

The traditional Whit walks took place in bright sunshine but just an hour before the start of the contests, the weather took a massive downturn.

And Oldham Band (Lees) entered the history books when they controversially struck up to play at the first-ever contest to be held in Diggle.

The band, conducted by John Collins, pipped the village’s own ‘B’ band to claim the honour of playing first on the specially-commissioned band stand.

John (37), who conducted the test piece, “ORB”, said: “Diggle asked if they could play first but I put it to our band who said as we were first to book in at the contest, they wanted to play.

“I am sorry but we did arrive and book in first — so we went ahead and played.”

A total of 51 bands played at Diggle competing to share the £2,000 prize money and organisers were delighted with the support.

Overall Diggle winners were Black Dyke, who played Knight Templar, with Rothwell Temperance (Wizard) and Brighouse and Rastrick (Ravenswood) second and third respectively.

Diggle Brass Band Committee chairman, Peter Ashworth, said: “We were very pleased with the outcome of our first contest.”

Black Dyke took top prize in the area champions section, with Hepworth second, Brighouse and Rastrick, third.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said there were six arrests on the night, all for public order-related offences.


Saddleworth and Oldham District Whit Friday Brass Band Contest results


Delph (80 Bands)

1, Black Dyke; 2, Brighouse; joint 3, Hepworth and Marsden; 5, Rothwell; 6, Wire Brass; 7, Kirbymoorside. Highest non championship, Bedworth Brass; 3rd/4th section, Cheshire Constabulary. Local: 1, Boarshurst; 2, Delph. Saddleworth: Diggle. Youth: 1, Oldham Music Centre; 2, Tewit youth. Deportment: Cheshire Constabulary


Denshaw (51 Bands)

1, Black Dyke; 2, Milnrow; 3, Cheshire Constabulary; 4, Hepworth. 1st Section: 1, Stocksbridge; 2, Old Shep. 2nd Section: 1, Oldham Band (Lees); 2, Delph. 3rd Section: 1, Greenalls 2 Otley. 4th Section: 1 Felison Brass 2 Backworth Colliery. Saddleworth: 1, Boarshurst 2 Uppermill. Local: Mossley. Youth: 1, Shireland WT; 2, Rochdale Borough Youth.


Diggle (51 Bands)

1, Black Dyke; 2, Rothwell Temperance; 3, Brighouse & Rastrick. 1st Section: St Austell. 2nd Section: Holme Silver. 3rd Section: St Sebastian Wokingham. 4th Section: Camping & Caravan Club. Saddleworth: Delph. Youth: Wardle High School.


Dobcross (58 Bands)

1, Black Dyke; 2, Rothwell Temperance; 3, Hepworth (Cookson). Best Saddleworth: Diggle. Local: Mossley. Best Local for Whit Friday Morning: Diggle. Junior: 1, Smithills; 2, 2nd Rossendale Scouts.


Friezland: (48 bands)

1, Dobcross Silver; 2, Stalybridge; 3, Pendennis; 4, Otley. 4th Section: Cheshire Constabulary. Youth Section: 1, Rochdale Borough Youth; 2, Dobcross. Local: Dobcross. Deportment Prize: 1, Cheshire Constabulary £25; 2, Wardle High £10.

Greenacres: (37 Bands)

1, Hepworth; 2, Rothwell Temperance; 3, Brighouse & Rastrick. 2nd Section: 1, Middleton; 2, Oldham Band (Lees); 3, Flixton. 3rd Section: 1, Greenalls; 2, Dobcross Silver; 3, Uppermill. 4th Section: 1, Hazel Grove; 2, Farnworth & Walkden; 3, Greenfield. Local: 1, Milnrow; 2, Marsden; 3, Middleton. Youth Section: 1, Chorley Silver; 2, Rochdale Borough Youth.


Greenfield: (62 Bands)

1, Black Dyke; 2, Brighouse & Rastrick. 1st Section: 1, Diggle; 2, Blackburn and Darwen. 2nd Section: 1, Cheshire Constabulary; 2, Dobcross. 3rd Section: 1, Uppermill; 2, Boarshurst. 4th Section: 1, Denton; 2, Greenfield; 3, Rochdale Borough Youth. Best Local: Diggle. Best Saddleworth: Diggle. Youth: 2nd Rossendale Scouts.


Grotton (42 Bands)

1, Brighouse & Rastrick; 2, Blackburn & Darwen; 3, Oldham Band (Lees); 4, United Co-op Milnrow. 1st Section: 1, Holme Silver ; 2, Emley Brass. 2nd Section: 1, Dodworth; 2, Silk Brass. 3rd/4th Section: 1, Whitworth Vale & Healey; 2, LGB Brass. Local: 1, Delph; 2, Mossley. Youth: 1, Tewitt Youth; 2, Smithills Senior.


Lees & Springhead (44 Bands)

1, Black Dyke; 2, Brighouse & Rastrick; 3, Rothwell Temperance; 4, Hepworth. 1st Section: 1, Diggle; 2, Wardle Anderson. 2nd Section: 1, Delph; 2, Oldham Band. 3rd Section: 1, Uppermill; 2, Greenalls. 4th Section: 1, Farnworth & Walkden; 2, West Coast Brass. Local: 1, Milnrow; 2, Boarshurst Silver. Oldham Borough: Greenfield. Youth: 1, Smithills Senior; 2, Rochdale Borough Youth.


Lydgate: (49 Bands)

1. Black Dyke; 2, Hepworth (Cookson Homes); 3, The Co-operative FuneralCare. 1st Section: 1, Blackburn & Darwen. 2nd Section: 1, Silk Brass. 3rd Section: 1, Boarshurst Silver. 4th Section: 1, Rivington & Adlington. Saddleworth: 1, Diggle. Youth: 1, Smithills Senior; 2, 2nd Rossendale Scouts.


Scouthead & Austerlands: (62 Bands)

1, Black Dyke; 2, Hepworth; 3, Fodens; 4, Brighouse & Rastrick. 1st Section: 1, Mossley; 2, Wardle Anderson; 3, Cornerstone Brass. 2nd Section: 1, Holme Silver; 2, Oldham Band (Lees); 3, Flixton. 3rd Section: 1, Dobcross Silver; 2, Boarshurst Silver; 3, Valley Brass. 4th Section: 1, Greenfield; 2, Huddersfield & Ripponden; 3, Hazel Grove. Local: 1, Fairey United Co-op, Milnrow, Middleton. Saddleworth: 1, Diggle; 2, Delph. Youth: 1, Smithills Schools Senior; 2., Shirland Welfare Training; 3, Oldham Music Centre.


Uppermill: (51 Bands)

1, Hepworth; 2, Marsden; 3, Uppermill; 4, Poynton. Local: 1, Diggle; 2, Dobcross; 3, Littleborough. Youth: 1, Rochdale; 2, Smithills; 3, Delph. Best Saddleworth: Diggle B. 4th Section: Greenfield. Area champions: 1, Black Dyke; 2, Hepworth; 3, Brighouse & Rastrick. Local (8 mile radius of Uppermill): 1, Marsden; 2, United Co-op Milnrow; 3, Diggle Band. Youth: Smithhills School.