TIMETABLE FOR THE DAY
What surprises some first time visitors to the Saddleworth and District Band Contests is the fact that in most villages, Whit Friday is an 'all day' events. A programme is set out below:-

8.30 a.m. Delph Band and guests assemble at the Band Club, Lawton Square

8.55 a.m. Band assembles at Millgate Car Park

9.00 a.m. All traffic is halted by Police and as the Delph clock strikes nine, the band march through the village to the White Lion Inn, playing 'Hail Smiling Morn' and return to the Band Club with a rousing Street march to herald the days events.

9.15 a.m. A short service is held at either the Methodist Chapel or St. Thomas Church to start the procession of witness.

9.45 a.m. Band and walkers assemble at Holland Close sheltered housing, for a hymn and the procession around the village begins.

11.30 a.m. Procession returns to the village square where the band play for an open-air service. After this service the crowd disperse (usually to their favourite hostelry). The band return to the Club where an hour or so is spent meeting old friends and chatting, then its off to prepare for the evening.

During the afternoon sports are held on nearby Swan Meadow for the children and there is a Huddersfield and District League Cricket match at Delph and Dobcross Cricket Club.

4.30 p.m. The contest begins a limited number of seats are available around the contest ring or you can bring your own!

Special provision will be made for wheelchair users providing that the organisers are notified before hand.

10.30 p.m. Last band signs in. End of contest is dependant on the number of bands signed in before 10.30 p.m. and it is at the discretion of the Police Inspector on duty as to how many will be allowed to play. Officers on duty have a pre-arranged finishing time.

Results are announced approximately fifteen minutes after the last band has played.

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