The Diggle Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (05 June 2022)

Sparky performance hits right note for Whit Friday curtain raiser

With only days to go till The Greatest Free Show on Earth, The Diggle Band gave us all a great concert with a well rounded programme. It ticked a lot of boxes in the traditional sense with a rousing overture, a classic contest march, and a few great solos.

The Diggle Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (03 October 2021)

First concert at Boarshurst since March 2020 impresses audience with bona fide classics for all the family

Yesterday’s first concert at Boarshurst Band Club since the first lockdown was most entertaining and cathartic in equal measure. In one respect, it was great to see a return to normality at The Brass Band Mecca of the North. On the other hand, it made us slightly bleary eyed over the friends we have lost in the brass band movement since the pandemic began.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, 19 April 2020

A look at the more lasting changes that will affect Oldham and Saddleworth bus passengers

Though Oldham and Saddleworth passengers weren’t as badly affected by MCT Travel’s demise as those in Tameside, there are still a few significant changes. At the sharpest end of these changes will be Royton passengers, particularly with the 402 and 412 routes.

It is also worth noting that the following changes will be effective from the 19 April, in spite of lockdown. Therefore temporary timetables will be in operation, even with newly tendered routes.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, 27 October 2019

Saddleworth at sharp end of First service cuts

• Triple whammy of cuts for 180 route;
• 184 becomes Oldham – Huddersfield route with Sunday extension to Manchester;
• 425 route split and cut back.

Have First Greater Manchester saved its most severe service cuts for Halloween? If you live in Greenfield, get County Cars’ number added to your mobile phone quickly.

Diggle Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (30 June 2019)

A fantastic concert with four great soloists and a selection of golden oldies

With march and hymn contests and (in most cases) Whit Friday coming to the fore, ‘Flaming June’ is a joyous month for lovers of brass band music. This year, June has given Boarshurst Band Club a selection of fantastic Sunday Brass Nights – and a memorable Saturday afternoon concert with Bodmin Town Band. Ending the month in style was Diggle Band’s concert.

Whit Friday 2019 Results: Saddleworth Contests

East of the M60’s classified check on the Oldham and Saddleworth Area Whit Friday Brass Band Contest Results.

Brighouse and Rastrick Band maintain top spot in Saddleworth

Whereas Foden’s Band continue their stunning run in Tameside, Brighouse and Rastrick Band remain top dog in the Saddleworth contests. This year there was some stiff competition from Oldham Band (Lees).

Boarshurst Silver Band Introduces The Whit Friday Challenge

Whit Friday Challenge introduced to ensure future of Saddleworth’s Whit Friday Band Contests

With rising costs, hosting The Greatest Free Show on Earth can be challenging. Each contest is made possible by its volunteers before, during, and after the event – from stewards to display board carriers. It also requires cooperation with local businesses, local authorities, and residents. It is a mammoth task, one that draws visitors from Denshaw to Friezland, and Top Mossley to Denton.

Mass Brass 3: Saddleworth’s Brass Banding Bonanza

Why Dobcross Youth, Delph, Diggle, and Boarshurst Silver bands gave us 120 reasons to enjoy Saddleworth’s biggest night in brass band music

At Saddleworth Civic Hall, brass banding nights seldom get any bigger than the annual Mass Brass concert in Uppermill. Apart from any of Saddleworth’s bands hiring The Roly Polys as a support act, only the sight of 120 brass banders at twenty to ten could trump that. All four bands gave a good performance with a 30 minute set.

A Saddleworth Sweep in the North West Regional Championships

Boarshurst Silver Band lead the way among Saddleworth bands in the 2019 North West Regional Brass Band Championships

Blackpool’s Winter Gardens proved to be a happy hunting ground for some of Saddleworth’s brass bands. With thousands of brass band players and spectators descending on the iconic venue, the North West Regionals have a vibrant atmosphere of its own. For three of Saddleworth’s bands, the 2019 contest was one to remember.

You Know You’ve Spent Too Long in Oldham If…

A wry look at the joys of East of the M60‘s other immediate locality

Before local government reorganisation in 1974, Oldham was large enough to warrant its own County Borough. On the 01 April 1974, this was superseded by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, taking in part of the West Riding of Yorkshire and a few Urban District Councils. This included municipalities in Royton, Chadderton and Failsworth.