Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band Triumphs at Whit Friday March Contests, Named Area Champions

Posted By: Christopher Morganon: June 05, 2024In: Current Affairs, News, Regional News

B&R marching at Uppermill (photo by B&R photographer Gordon Ratcliffe)

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By Joshua Robinson –

The Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band (B. & R.) have returned to the local area after partaking at the Whit Friday March Contests, which has been held for over 100 years in the Pennine hill villages scattered around what is now in Greater Manchester.

Winning six first prizes out of eight performances B. & R., as a result, were named ‘Saddleworth & Oldham Area Champions’ – a notable achievement considering they were pitted against elite bands, and at least 100 others, from around the U.K.

Large crowds watch as B&R march at Greenfield (photos by B&R photographer Gordon Ratcliffe)

Following this achievement the band are set to appear at Brighouse Central Methodist Church on Saturday 22nd June, falling into an already busy month for the band. The engagement list has appearances at Truro, Bromsgrove, Norwich, and Rutherglen (Glasgow), all after spending the first day of the month in a recording studio.

Helping lead them is Dr. Jonathan Corry, from Belfast, an old friend of the band stretching back to his student days at Salford University.

Patrons of the band will by now have claimed their free tickets for this concert and the remainder are now on general sale, in person at Ryecorn Wholefoods, Bethel St., Brighouse, or by telephoning the band direct on 01484 718835.