Anger Grows Over Whit Friday Threat
Whit Friday in Uppermill. But four other villages could lose their contests because of traffic regulations. (picture: Geograph/Paul Anderson)
Anger is growing in Saddleworth as four villages face losing their Whit Friday brass band contests because of new traffic rules imposed by Oldham Council. A website has already been set up to protest against the possible end of the competitions in Denshaw, Greenfield, Lees and Scouthead.
Oldham Council has taken over traffic management duties for this year’s event, and has insisted that main roads must be kept clear for cars. Organisers of the four contests in question say that means bands won’t be able to use traditional routes through the villages, and that no other routes are suitable. Contests in other villages won’t be affected.
Paul Steele, from Diggle, has started a website called Leave Saddleworth Band Contest Alone to try to rally support to keep the four contests going. He has proposed making a video petition of the opinions of local people, to be sent to councillors and the media.
Paul said, “Are we now to believe that all borough events will be scrapped if any major road would be affected by it? Of course, the local economy is something that escapes the council in lieu of a few diversions on the road, for one day.”
There have also been furious comments left on this website, and on the Saddleworth News Facebook page.
Adrienne Kilby wrote, “If you think that us Saddleworth folk will sit back and allow you to start meddling again you have another thing coming!” David Ashworth added, “I am sure that for one night which brings in more tourists than the whole of the year, arrangements for could be put into place.”
Oldham Council has stressed that no final decisions have been made, and that talks with the police and the organisers of the contests will continue.
Paul Steele’s Leave Saddleworth Band Contest Alone website is here, and he’s also got a Twitter feed here.
You can read yesterday’s story from Saddleworth News here, and the original article from the Oldham Chronicle with more angry comments beneath it here.
And if you’re on Facebook, you can visit the Saddleworth News page here.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
If you would like to share an interesting story, achievement, photo or something you just want to happily shout about please send it in an email to hello@saddleworthlife.com We'd ❤ to hear from you!!
12 Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
My husband and I are in our 70s and we have looked forward every year to enjoying the Brass Bands in these villages. To stop allowing this venue would be a disaster, the Morris Men and all that go with this entertaining couple of days out would suffer drastically!!
I too have been so incensed by this decision I have also set up a face book group. I cannot believe that a council could be so narrow minded I cant wait for one of them to knock on my door for a vote! I have 2 kids who play in bands I know the effort that they put into Whit Friday this keeps them away from the parks and bus shelters you’ll never catch one of my upseting local residents hanging around on the streets. The council should be encouraging these well behave future citizens of Oldham. Me and my husband also help at the Scouthead/Austerlands contest and have done for the last 25 years along with other members of all the Whit Friday committees we work damm hard just for the pleasure of knowing that out efforts bring pleasure to the people who attend. They come back year after year from all over the country. This good people of Saddleworth is the thin end of the wedge! Once lost it will be lost forever then what will the council turn on next are we to believe that the morning processions will continue and the beer walk then rushcart! Its time for us to make a stand but we are all the good law abiding people who dont normally make a fuss.
‘ For once I’m almost speechless. Whit Friday is a brilliant event which Oldham ought to be proud of and give every support and encouragement to. It’s one of the few things that Oldham Borough has got going for it. A national occasion with a tradition going back to 1884! – even my old university – Warwick – sends a band to play here. Last year it was one of the proudest moments of my life to see my son marching down Delph King Street as part of the Delph Youth Band. I get angry over lots of issues with Oldham Council but on this I have gone beyond anger – absolutely furious !
Whatever the protest – count me in
Cllr Ken Hulme
Parish Councillor representing Delph & Denshaw on Saddleworth Parish Council.
Could all the other councillors follow Councillor Hulme and put the heart into backing of this event, He has put his voice to what he thinks about Oldham Met Boro Council.
This is a village event going on for years, and in my life I cannot think what Mr Alcock is trying to gain, but if he thinks this will go away he is very wrong. He should resign for this stupid idea, every one in Saddleworth and different parts of Europe come over for this even and good for the businness in Saddleworth.
The people of Saddleworth should give the Odlham council a very hard time.
There is plenty of roads to direct the traffic, and that the traffic problems could quite easily be dealt with. Mickey Wood Holland
Can someone post a link to the various facebook groups/websites mentioned?
Brassed off … certainly am. I say Hail Smilin’ Morn and let the bands play on!
Jenny – the Facebook group which Elaine was referring to is called Saddleworth Whit Friday Preservation Group. Here’s the link – www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=366639942956&ref=nf
If there really is the remotest possibility of this happening, it will be the biggest faux-pas by the Lib Dems before an election since David Steel said ‘Go back to your constituencies and prepare for government!” at their 1981 party conference. Shouldn’t we be alerting national media and letting Nick Clegg know what his party’s councillors are up to in one of his key marginals??? The band marches should go ahead whatever these stupid people decide and let them arrest everybody who contravenes. Maybe we should organise a protest march up Yorkshire Street during a rush hour – with a brass band course!
What price is the culture of the Saddleworth area going to have to pay? All the hard work put in by fund raising committees who want nowt but the success of ‘their local day’ which attracts people from all over Britain and beyond to their village to play in competition and experience the hospitality of the folk who live there. This issue is attracting some unsavoury facets and needs to be resolved before much time passes. I feel that I agree with Mick Ashworths’ last view ….. but with 20+ brass bands and as much media interest that anyone can muster.
[…] Anger Grows Over Whit Friday Threat […]
Whatever next – will they try to ban the Whit Friday walks as well?? We come every year to take part in these contests, travelling over 300 miles to get there. We spend money locally when we come, and we stay in the area for about a week. Think these “politicians” should be handed over to the bands to deal with!!
While your anger is justified have a care be prepared with counter arguments and suggestions on how to solve a problem that does exist, we know there is one, but it has been successfully managed for years. Supporter of Whit Friday and Saddleworth born and bred of 80 years.Spread the word about this latest from Oldham