Anyone in a band that is travelling a distance to take part in the Whit Friday Band Contests around Saddleworth and Tameside?

I was going to be with 'Isle Of Man Brass' (a sort of scratch band for the occasion), but my parents reckon being off island for 1 day in the weeks prior to my exams will mean that I fail them

So I'm not going but I know lots of people who are

I used to go, but the band i'm currently with doesn't march, so i wont be going, look out for the somerset brass dragon!!
Oh, and anyone who has a chance of going i strongly recommend it!
it is one of the most amazing things to playing, one year i played in the band that was last on in dobcross! - in the middle of the lit up village green at midnight, with hundreds of people our band got to play the hymn that would close the night - there is nothing on this planet like it! the sheer emotion and warmth of the occassion, just pheonominal!

I think that the local bands usually try to finish in their own villages as last band to play.

yep, after dob cross we tried to play last at delp, but when we saw that delph town band was just before use we decided to let them play last as we had already played last somewhere, and it was their home town.

When we go to the bands we go to Greenfield as my husband has a friend lives there.
We go to his house for a barbecue then walk into the village.
We go on the train usually.

So did anyone go this year? I went for the first time with Barnton Silver Band from Northwich. It was an amazing experience..but we only got to play 5 times.



Just got in

We were in Greenfield.
Which places did you manage to get to?
We were commenting on the number of coaches in line at Greenfield and wondering how many bands manage to get to enough places to qualify for an overall competition mark in an area.

We played in Delph, Friezland, Greenfield, Scouthead and I am not sure on the 5th but I think it might have been Lydgate.



There were lots of coaches, it took us 30 minutes to just pass through Uppermill, there were about 12 coaches waiting to play.

My daughter and I went with themouthpiece.com band and it was ace. We did Scouthead, Delph, Dobcross, Uppermill, Lydgate and Greenfield (I think it was greenfield anyway!)

Did anyone else see the Pirates of the Carribean band? they were great!

I didn't see them play but I did see people walking around in Pirate costumes

It was a brilliant day Very exhausting though...

Worst moment: 1st ever march and having a horse ###### right in my path so I had to quickly avoid it

Best moment: Having someone come up to me and say "Did you just play The Contestor" "Yeh" "Wow, that was brilliant"

I'd love to go, but it's a bit far. (and I couldn't get the Saturday off work!) Considered joining themouthpiece band but didn't - might go for it next year though if I'm feeling brave!!