Crowds out in force for band contests

Photo: Gareth Lowe

unmistakEably Yorkshire: Marsden Band on the march. Many more pictures can be seen on our “buy a photo” tab above

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BLUE PETER presenter Barney Harwood was among the star attractions at the Oldham and Saddleworth Whit Friday Band Contests.

Barney was mobbed by excited children when he turned up in Dobcross to complete a challenege to learn the trombone in four weeks.

His performance with Northop Youth Band – the first of four band contest appearances – will be shown on the BBC show on Thursday.

He told the Chronicle: “It went okay. I think I hit a few notes that weren’t quite right, but I will work on them. There are so many things going on that you forget you are playing.”

The cold and early rain didn’t stop play at Dobcross, one of 12 villages holding contests. Marsden Silver Prize Band was first to play, at 4.25pm, followed by Rochdale Youth, dressed for the weather in matching raincoats.

Mike Bold was there with a Warrington amateur theatre group - contest vistors every year since 2006, when they performed “Brassed Off!”, which features the contests and gave them a taste for the real thing!

“It’s just such a wonderful day. People are so happy and friendly and the scenery is fantastic.”

Oskog Brass from Norway was among the foreign bands to appear, on their first trip to England.

There was a large police presence at Uppermill where some people complained about the delays between bands. By 10pm the playing fields were packed with teenagers and young people, few of whom were watching the contest.

At Greenfield, Audley Band played the hymn “Crimond” outside the King William pub in tribute to murdered Middleton soldier Lee Rigby.

Euro MP Chris Davies was one of those who answered a Chronicle appeal for volunteers at Greenfield. He helped out as a bus steward, explaining: “I have loved this contest since I moved here 26 years ago.”

Back in Dobcross, Milnrow was the 60th and final band to play at 10.55pm.


POLICE arrested 13 people during the band contests. A police spokesman reported a “smattering” of minor incidents but there was no serious trouble, and no injuries.

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