Walkers brave a windy Whit

Christ Church, Friezland, proudly joins the procession

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OVERHEAD clouds failed to dampen the spirits of enthusiastic crowds who turned out to welcome Whit Walkers to Uppermill on Friday.

The wind blew cold, showers spattered the crowds, and the sun failed to shine for the morning processions.

But all that was forgotten when the parades began to approach Uppermill’s King George V Playing Field, led by brass bands which proudly played along the route.

The colourful scene turned High Street into a sea of people and was marked by banners flying despite the strong winds.

The route was packed with people who turned out to witness the walks, including Joyce Mallalieu, who said: “It’s my 74th Whit Friday - I have never missed one.

“I nearly missed this year because it was so cold, but as soon as I heard the brass bands I couldn’t wait to get out. I don’t know what it is, I just get a thrill when I hear the bands. If you’re a Saddleworth person it’s in your blood.”

Brass bands who would later take part in the Saddleworth Band Contests heralded the arrival of processions from churches in Lydgate, Friezland, Diggle and Dobcross.

The mass celebration brought together worshippers from Ebenezer Congregational Church, Uppermill, Uppermill Methodist Church, Kilngreen Church, Diggle, Saddleworth Church, Uppermill, Christ Church, Friezland, St Anne’s Church, Lydgate, Holy Trinity Church, Dobcross, St Chad’s Church, Uppermill, Sacred Heart Church, Uppermill and Sandy Lane Congregational, Dobcross.

Services were held ahead of parades from each individual church, all heading through Uppermill and onto King George V Playing Fields for a united service at 11am.

This began with the traditional Whit Friday hymn, “Hail Smiling Morn,” played by Uppermill Band and the National Methodist Youth Brass Band.


Many more picture can be seen from the day on our ‘bu a photo’ tab above.