This website has been created for Heyrod villagers, Brass Bands and visitors to Heyrod to keep you informed about the progress of the Heyrod Village Brass Band Contest & other village news and events.
By using the navigation bar across the top of this page you will find information about the forthcoming and previous competitions. If you can't find the information you’re looking for please let us know by using the contact page.

ABOUT OUR CONTEST

Often described as ‘the greatest free show on earth’, the Whit Friday Band Contests have taken place every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday, with the first recorded event being in 1884.

Over 100 bands participate in some 22 different contests (normally 10 of which are in Tameside) which are scattered around the moorland villages and towns on the western edge of the Pennines. Contests normally start after 4.30pm and close around 11pm. Bands play two pieces, a march on approach followed by another full piece on a rostrum or stage area.

Each performance is scored ‘blind’ by an adjudicator hidden in some adjacent darkened room or caravan. At busier venues over 50 bands may be heard on the night, with local roads heaving with the number of coaches being used to transport the bands between the venues.

Money to run the contest is raised by the Committee by means of Sponsorship, adverts within the programme and support from Tameside Council, particularly our local Councillors. It costs something in the region of £2000 to host this event, the majority of the money funding the prizes to the bands.

We are actively trying to involve the young people of the village in the contest and have had some good help from them, both before and during the event.

Taking this further we wish to encourage Youth Bands, and for 2009 are increasing the prize money for this category and introducing a separate deportment prize.

The contest is organised by a small committee consisting of:

Deanne Clayton
Organiser Heyrod Brass Band Contest
0161 303 9827
e-mail : Organiser@HeyrodBandContest.com

Lynn Ward
Secretary
e-mail : Secretary@HeyrodBandContest.com

Alan Kibble
Deputy Chair Heyrod Residents Association
0771 878 3338
e-mail : HRA@HeyrodBandContest.com

Bob Lear
Senior Steward
0161 338 2003
email : Steward@HeyrodBandContest.com

If you feel you could help with the organisation of the Band Contest please contact any of the committe members to discuss it more.