Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, Summer 2017

Summer bussing, slightest of changes 

Not in the Summer Timetable: the 409 service, loading at Ashton-under-Lyne bus station.

For once, a quiet set of service changes affecting Oldham and Saddleworth bus passengers. This time, just a few tweaks to the summer timetables. Some more First Greater Manchester routes will be seeing a few tweaks, including the 58 and 81A.

Slaithwaite Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (July 2017)

A sweet sixteen pieces from Slawit on a sunny Sunday

Slaithwaite, Slawit or Slathwaite: if you’re familiar at all with the Colne Valley villages, you would know that the first spelling is correct, though the place is not pronounced as seen. It is pronounced in the same way as the third spelling (which is incorrect in English, though probably correct in Pitman’s Initial Teaching Alphabet). The second is another spelling. Before we begin, we’re not here to discuss the spellings and pronunciations of Slaithwaite. Instead, we shall concentrate on the band’s splendid concert, which took place at the Boarshurst Band Club on the 16 July 2017.

Music from the Big Stage: Boarshurst Silver Band’s Broadway Spectacular

Showstopping performance made for a memorable night

The 02 July finished with a most memorable concert from Boarshurst Silver Band. Repeating the success of last year’s Hollywood themed summer concert, it was another multimedia experience. Coupled with a virtuoso performance from the band, the visuals worked to great effect. There was also three stunning songs, from the voice of Georgina Hulme. Oh, and this fellow, your reviewer, was the Master of Ceremonies. Fresh from the Brighouse Hymn and March Contest.

Diggle Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 25 June 2017

A great night with a top Saddleworth band 

Less than six months on their last soirée at The World Famous Boarshurst Band Club, Diggle Band delivered another great concert. Last night’s well attended concert included two great solos, a satisfying horn feature, a couple of traditional marches, and another piece by Eric Ball.

Milnrow Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 18 June 2017

Milnrow Band’s scorcher of a performance

To meet up for a hymn and march contest, perform in conditions more Mediterranean than Mytholmroyd, and fulfil a concert engagement on the same day takes some doing. It would test the very best of us. Milnrow Band proved how possible it was to do just that. Within twelve hours of setting off for Hebden Bridge, they closed one of the finest concerts to grace the Boarshurst Band Club stage this year.

Flixton Brass Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 11 June 2017

Another tight performance for Boarshurst Silver Band’s fellow travellers to Cheltenham

In their second visit to Boarshurst Band Club over the last nine months, Flixton Band gave us a tight performance at yesterday’s concert [11 June 2017]. At the top end of Section Two, Flixton Band will be following Delph Band and Boarshurst Silver Band to Cheltenham in the National Championship Finals (16 September 2017). With excellent dynamic range, their performance was clinical and a real joy for the ears.

Whit Friday 2017 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, and Fairey Bands dominant

The Saddleworth contests proved to be a good Whit Friday for the Brighouse and Rastrick, and Fairey bands. If we were allegorical about the Saddleworth villages’ first prize winners, in political terms, a Hung Parliament compared with the Foden’s Band’s landslide victory in Tameside.

Lindley Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

Good conducting debut for James McCabe in an enjoyable concert

Whit Week at the Boarshurst Band Club begin in style with the arrival of Lindley Band on Whit Sunday. Making his début as Musical Director for one of the world’s oldest bands was James McCabe. Best known for his sterling cornet work (previous bands including Rothwell Temperance, CWS Carrickfergus, and Fairey Band), he was appointed Musical Director for Lindley Band in February 2017. He took up his post after the Yorkshire Regional Championships

Belle Vue Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (28 May 2017)

A good programme, plus a tribute to the people we lost at the Manchester Arena

Yesterday [28 May], Belle Vue Brass Band gave us a good concert at the Boarshurst Band Club. A little shorter than the previous year’s engagement, it was also marked with a dedication to the 22 people who lost their lives at the Manchester Arena after last Monday’s Ariana Grande concert. This included a minute’s silence, which followed Amanda Greaves’ recital of Tony Walsh’s poem This Is The Place.