Photography by Peter Liggins
A FAMILIAR sound returned to the streets of Tameside this year after a Covid-19 enforced absence – the sound of brass band music.
And it is fair to say the Whit Friday contests were popular as thousands of people turned out, including a four-figure attendance at one venue alone.
Friday, June 10 saw bands from all over the country – and beyond – come back to the borough’s streets to show off what they can do.
Whit Friday fever even reached as far as Vietnam, where former Mossley music teacher Rachael Howarth showed pupils from 33 different international schools performing the classic Slaidburn.
Just having the contests back at nine venues across Tameside was enough for many, as Cllr Sangita Patel, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for culture, heritage and digital inclusivity, said: “Judging by the size and enthusiasm of crowds at the nine contests, Whit Friday was badly missed. The good weather served to make their return even better.
“They may have been away for three years but the Tameside Whit Friday band contests clearly remain the greatest free show on earth.”
Competition-wise, it was a head-to-head battle between Foden’s and Rothwell Temperance as each claimed four first prizes and two second prizes in their six qualifying contests.
It was the first time the tie break rule has had to be used since Tameside Council became involved in the event — with Foden’s accumulated six contest adjudicator points total of 1,183 beating Rothwell’s 1,179 and earning them the Whit Friday honours for the 19th time in the past 20 competitive years.
Foden’s Band Manager and principal cornet Mark Wilkinson said: “We are delighted to have retained the title aided by the consistency we showed of being in the top three at all nine contests we took part in.
“We were told Rothwell were playing superbly as the overall result showed, and it was great to compete at that level of performance as well as simply play to such supportive crowds once more.
“Our thanks our thanks go to all the organisers, volunteers, and Tameside Council for promoting and running one of the best dates in the banding calendar — and we look forward to returning next year once again”
It was not all Foden’s and Rothwell, as Welsh band Northop won the Denton contest.
While locally, Mossley and Ashton under Lyne finished sixth and seventh overall to secure an extra £750 and £600, with Stalybridge Old – who had MP Jonathan Reynolds walking them in – in third, although they were affected by a rarely-used regulation.
The one-prize rule, which states that bands can only win a single monetary prize, meant they received the prize for coming third in the competition for local bands – due to its higher value – rather than for winning the fourth section.
