The village is well equipped for visitors, apart that is, for a distinct lack of toilets! Desperate for this facility? Then enquire at the Booking In Point or speak to one of our stewards.Visitors often ask where they can get a drink and still listen to the bands! Well, that's relatively easy in Delph. You might be lucky enough to get a seat in the 'Delph Club' on Gartside Street, which is directly adjacent to the contest ring. However, you'll have to book early as the Club is a very popular place to be on Whit Friday evening, but you can be assured of a warm welcome and good listening. The Swan Inn in the village square is also very near to the contest ring and with a window seat you are assured of a good view of the band 'on the march'. Food is also served at the Swan and there are picnic tables at the front for those early enough to take advantage of the facility- an ideal spot to be! Visitors who have been coming to Delph for many years will no doubt remember the Rose and Crown public house that was featured in 'Brassed Off'.
Sadly the Rose and Crown closed for business as a pub several years ago but just a year ago re-opened as 'The Music Shop' and houses Fred Rhodes Ltd., suppliers and repairers of musical instruments, run by star players Jonathon Webster (formerly solo baritone with Foden's) and Glyn Williams present solo euphonium at Foden's). Fred Rhodes' is accommodated on the grounds floor while on the upper floor you will find 'Music on the Move' a company specialising in brass band tours, hotel bookings for bands etc. Many other musical instruments in addition to brass can be purchased at the shop as well as sheet music and CD's, there is also an interesting collection of banding pictures and memorabilia, well worth a visit!
For those who like to retreat to somewhere a little quieter, over the bridge you will find the White Lion, the oldest inn in the village, where food is also on offer and a warm welcome assured. The contest starts outside the Bulls Head, so if you want to be 'where the action is' this is the place to be. This is the favourite haunt of players, former players and parents of players! They can keep an eye on who is coming and going and what the latest order of play is. You are guaranteed to meet someone you recognise if you make the Bull your base, however far you have travelled!
There will be a high quality catering van on the car park in Millgate, where bands get off their coaches and in addition to the catering facilities offered by the pubs there are two excellent restaurants. China Village, where the contest begins (type of food served self explanatory) - excellent cusine! Further down the village we have a new restaurant, 'The Bay Leaf' specialising in Indian food, which will also provide a sumptuous 'take away'. This venue provides luxury eating with a good view of the busy street and marching bands. If it's good old English Fish and Chips you're after Delph Chip Shop can provide them at their best. However, be prepared to wait as there's always a long queue, but the end product is worth waiting for! You will find the Chip Shop next to the Music Shop at the bottom of the bridge. There is Delph Bakery, who's proprietor is Denise and you can purchase all kinds of freshly baked confectionary, bread, cooked meats, pies etc and sandwiches throughout the evening.Why not phone in an order and collect. Telephone number is 01457 877628. More traditional snacks can be purchased slap bang in the centre of the contest activity on Gartside Street, the local Methodist Church ladies run a cafe from the beginning of the contest right through the evening. Here you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and home-made sandwiches and cakes are also on sale what more could anyone ask for! All money raised from these sales goes to Church funds and is served in completely refurbished surroundings with disabled access. Eric and Wendy at the post office are open during Whit Friday evening for sales cold drinks, ice cream etc and Whit Friday magazines. Also the Village Stores (Co-op) will be open until 10.00 p.m to provide a full range of supermarket services on a smaller scale.
Saddleworth Crafts provides a unique opportunity to enjoy home-made food in the cosy surroundings of the cafe while having the opportunity to view/purchase some of the best art and craft work in the area. Situated on the main street, the shop is well worth a visit.
Last, but by no means least, there is the Band Club. Situated directly opposite Gartside Street, in Lawton Square you will be assured of the warmest of welcome throughout the day. Children are welcome (accompanied by parents of course) and as well as fine ales including special local brews, wines, spirits and soft drinks, freshly made sandwiches and Pork Pies can be purchased at very reasonable prices. Certainly, the place for all 'banders' to visit, it is the home of Delph Band and also our contest headquarters.Telephone numbers and contacts for the above are as follows:-
|
Delph Band Club |
Les |
01457 874465 |
|
The Delph Club |
John or Tony |
01457 876101 |
|
China Village |
01457 875566 |
|
|
The Bay Leaf |
01457 877999 |
|
|
The White Lion |
Esther |
01457 874435 |
|
The Bulls Head |
Stewart or Vicky |
01457 874681 |
|
The Swan Inn |
Liz or Kevin |
01457 874611 |
|
Saddleworth Crafts |
John |
01457 874705 |
|
Delph Bakery |
Denise |
01457 877628 |
Hotels/Bed and Breakfast
Oldham Central Premier Travel Inn, Chadderton, Oldham 08701 977 292
The John Milnes, Newhey Road, Milnrow 01706 299999
Boothsteads Farm, Rochdale Road, Denshaw 01457 878622 (from £22)
D. Christopher, 38 Wool Road, Dobcross 01457 871486
Grains Bar Farm, Bed and Breakfast 0161 624 0303 (from £28)
Sunfield Accomodation, Diggle 01457 874030 (from £25)
Temple Bar Farm, Wall Hill Road, Dobcross 01457 870099 (from £28)
Bull's Head Inn, Delph (one B and B room only) 01457 874681
Avant Hotel (Oldham) 0161 627 5500 (over £100)
Bower Hotel (Chadderton) 0161 682 7254 (from £40)
Diggle Hotel 01457 872741 (from £25)
High Point Hotel (Oldham) 0161 624 4130 (from £42)
La Pergola (Denshaw) 01457 871040 (from £43)
Pennine Way (Oldham) 0161 624 0555 (from £40)
The Old Bell Inn Hotel, Delph 01457 870130 (from £40)
High Point Hotel, Oldham 0161 624 4130 (from £42)
Hotel Smokies Park, Oldham 0161 785 5000 (from £55)
Hillcrest, Diggle 01457 875286 (from £20)
Oak House Hotel, Shaw (Nr. Oldham) 01706 842210 (from £25)
Parkfield House Hotel and Country Club (Nr. Oldham) 0161 620 9112/624 5379 (from £45)
Pennine Way Hotel, Oldham 0161 624 05555 (from £40)
Temple Bar Farm, Dobcross 01457 870099/872003 (from £28)
21, Shore Avenue, Shaw (Nr Oldham) 01706 846196 (from £18)
Saddleworth Hotel, Delph 01457 871888 (from £66)
Wellcroft House, Bleakhey Nook 01457 875017
The Shippon 01457 872357
SELF-CATERING
Clifton Cottage, Greenfield 01457 872098 (£200 p/w sleeps 3)
Dowston Castle, Delph 0161 620 6018 or 01457 874081 (£150-£200 p/w sleeps 4/5)
Dumfries House, Denshaw 01457 876410 (price on app. Sleeps 5)
Home Cottage, Denshaw (£200 p/w sleeps 5)
Of the above addresses (disregard self-catering) only the Bull's
Head and Old Bell are within walking distance of the contest. Grains
Bar Farm is a very short drive (walking distance if you're keen!)
although we have plenty of good taxi services in the area, again it
is advisable to book in advance if you want a taxi on the night.
For campers and caravaners, there is Moorlands Caravan Park at
Denshaw 01457 874348 and there is a CCC site at Friezland.
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©Ian Payne 2005