Be on your best behaviour for band contests

A PREVIOUS band contest at Denshaw

OLDHAM Council is providing help and financial support to ensure the 2016 Saddleworth and Lees contests hit all the right notes once again.

Several months of planning between partners have taken place to ensure residents and visitors can enjoy the day in safety.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “The Whit Friday Band contests are one of the biggest events on our calendar and have helped put us on the musical map

“We’re delighted to be welcoming bands and visitors from across the country and further to this great free show. It is vital we all support major events like this because they contribute to our tourism and events industry, which is worth more than £240m and supports 3,000 jobs in Oldham.

“Thanks to the huge efforts made by the organisers and volunteers the event has been a success year after year. We’ve been working for months with the organisers and partners, such as Greater Manchester Police, to ensure that we have all the right traffic diversions, stewarding and policing arrangements in place to make the event a success.

“We’d encourage everyone to act responsibly and have a great day.”

Once the music has stopped there’s also a huge clean-up operation to carry out where, working alongside an army of volunteers, council staff clear away litter and empty street bins so that things can return to normal as quickly as possible.

The Saddleworth and Lees District Executive has been closely involved in organising the event and its members have again given a significant financial contribution from their devolved funding from Oldham Council towards the costs of prizes, stewarding and other vital amenities.

Some road restrictions are in force in the area from 4pm until midnight. These have been signposted in advance. Event stewards or police are also on hand at venues if motorists need help.

GMP officers will be in attendance across the various contests. They advise all parents to keep in touch with children throughout the day so that you know where they are, who they are with and when you can expect them to return home.

Any young person suspected to be in possession of alcohol may be searched.

Caroline Ball, Greater Manchester Police Chief Superintendent and Territorial Commander for Oldham said: “The Saddleworth Band Contest is a great event for all of the family.

“We want everyone attending to enjoy the day but we also want to send a clear message about the policing operation that will be in place. Our officers on the ground will deal robustly with anyone found behaving antisocially, drinking to excess or involved in crime."

For more background information on the band contests visit: http://www.whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org/intro.html