All the action from Whit Friday

Malcolm Wood reflects on the 'greatest free show on earth' in this exclusive online feature

The opening lyrics of the Christmas song, 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year' will ring true for all those who love the festive season. However, anyone that flocks to Saddleworth and Tameside to participate, watch and listen, may argue that those words could just as well apply to Whit Friday.

There is no other day quite like it in the brass band calendar; twenty three different venues, all within a short radius of each other, each with their own unique character and atmosphere, and a collective prize fund of around £60,000 raised throughout the year by an army of volunteers.

That opportunity for bands from different sections and countries to rub shoulders with elite contenders such as Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick, Fairey and Foden's to name just a few, is one that is not just enjoyed, but inspires players to perform to their very best.

This year, Tanunda Town Band made the journey from Australia to participate along with a host of European challengers who simply revelled in experiencing the 'greatest free show on earth'.

So too did the scratch bands; whether dressed in fancy dress, kilts or shirts and ties, it didn't matter - they appeared to enjoy every second. Tuba legend, Shaun Crowther was spotted with the Jaeger Maestros Oompah Band, whilst some of the finest players from yesteryear (and the modern era) could be found playing for the bespoke 'Symes and Them' band!

It's no wonder it is a day where regardless of reputation or section status, bands are not infallible, as the reigning Yorkshire champion, Black Dyke found out on the Pennine hills. There is always some eye-catching results to create debate and discussion, especially now performances are often captured on devices and uploaded onto the web.

When you consider the a number of bands involved, it is easy to understand why things can sometimes fall through the trap-door, but as long as any errors are rectified swiftly, there is really no reason for such instances to become the 'storm in a tea-cup' that some bands make them. Each and every single organiser is an unsung hero for the dedication and commitment that they give to the night. (Preparations for 2018 will have already commenced.)

The day isn't all about the contests though. The traditional Processions of Witness that bring the villages of Saddleworth to a standstill on Friday morning were this year graced by the presence of the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. With all of the churches joining together for a service in Uppermill, Dr Sentamu encouraged the rain in the air to become blue skies, and his prayers were duly answered.

In conjunction with 'BBC Music Day' Frank Renton was also present as the popular 'Listen to the Band' launched a competition to find a brass band competing on the Saddleworth circuit that best illustrated the positive power of music making on local communities. The BBC Power of Music Brass Band Award was bestowed upon the truly inspirational Boobs and Brass Charity Band which has raised over £200,000 for Breast Cancer charities since its inception. There was shock and bewilderment on the faces of the players who were presented with the award prior to the contests commencing.

On a pleasant and dry evening, the contests saw old friends reunited and new friendships made, although when they went into the contest arena, those friends became rivals. 

Any band that competes at six venues or more in either Saddleworth or Tameside qualifies to be in with the opportunity of taking not just the bragging rights as Champion band, but up to an extra £2,500 in prize money. With so many ensembles wanting to make their way around the winding Saddleworth roads, competing at six contests is now considered an achievement.

This year, Brighouse & Rastrick held onto their 'Saddleworth crown' by winning at six venues (along with a third place) with performances of the march, 'Knight Templar' to head home pocketing just short of £8,000! Fairey with James Fountain as guest principal cornet finished second, and Oldham (Lees) edged out Marsden Silver and Black Dyke to come third overall.

Over in Tameside, the Whit Friday champion remains Foden's Band. The North West challenger's insatiable desire to maintain a stranglehold on a title that has only slipped through their grasp, once in the past seventeen years was once more very much in evidence.

The band's disciplined and precise renditions of 'The President' saw them come out on top at nine of the twelve individual venues with Ashton finishing in second place in the Open Championship. The battle for third was a real tussle between EYMS and Rothwell Temperance with the former pipping the latter by virtue of their win at Stalybridge Celtic.

In an area deeply effected by the Manchester terrorist attack the previous month, Whit Friday demonstrated why the power of live music is not just important, but lives on regardless. The financial rewards are most-valuable to the bands that get them, but of greater significance is the spirit of participation that remains the corner-stone of Whit Friday. Bands will once more stand side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder at this event on 25 May 2018.

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Whit Friday gallery (courtesy Malcolm Wood):

Read more news, reviews, interviews and features by subscribing to BBW Digital. Alternatively, subscribe to the printed magazine delivered by post: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)