Success at Whit Friday 2026

Bilton Silver Band returned to the world-famous Whit Friday March Contests in 2026, building on our debut appearance the previous year with another memorable evening of music, marching, and competition across the Saddleworth villages.

This year’s route took us through four contests, beginning at Lees & Springhead, before moving on to Grotton, Uppermill, and finishing the evening in the picturesque village of Dobcross.

For the parade contests, the band performed two contrasting marches: the ever-popular The Middy and the crowd-pleasing Theme from The Incredibles, which proved a firm favourite with audiences lining the streets. On the contest stands, the band performed Praise, aiming to deliver a musical and disciplined performance at each venue.

Strong Performances Across Saddleworth

Whit Friday remains one of the most unique and demanding events in the brass band calendar. With thousands of spectators and more than 180 competing bands travelling from village to village throughout the evening.

The results published so far have shown some encouraging placings for Bilton Silver:

• Grotton – 17th out of 63 bands
• Uppermill – 31st out of 56 bands

At the time of writing, the full results from Lees & Springhead and Dobcross have not yet been published.

A Prize-Winning Finish at Dobcross

While we await the remaining contest results, the highlight of the evening undoubtedly came at our final stop in Dobcross.

The band was delighted to be awarded the John Holden Trophy as the Best First Section Band, together with a cash prize of £150.

To receive recognition at one of the most prestigious Whit Friday contests was a fantastic achievement and a fitting reward for the hard work and commitment shown by every member of the band.

Looking Ahead

Whit Friday is about far more than contest results. It is a celebration of brass banding at its finest, bringing together musicians, volunteers, supporters, and communities in a tradition that has endured for well over a century.

From marching through packed village streets to performing beneath the famous fairy-lit trees of Dobcross late into the evening, the 2026 contests provided another unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

A huge thank you goes to our players, conductor Jack Fisher, our supporters, and the organisers and volunteers across Saddleworth who make this incredible event possible year after year.

We’ll be back.