There was a gentle hush and calmness hovering over the districts of Tameside as villages prepared for the onslaught of 87 bands bustling through during the course of one evening. For VBS Poynton they were preparing for a world breaking 13 venues in one evening, could it be done?

After the expert route planning of Alan Nuttall (Contest Secretary) and Chris Reed (Eb bass) the band arrive at their first destination, Denton Cricket Club. As keen as ever VBS arrive early at 3.30pm to attempt to get on as first band, but Yorkshire Imps'. have the same idea. The deciding factor is who can have their band in full attendance first – VBS awaiting the final few band members and Yorkshire Imps'. coach still at Junction 21 on the M60. Who will make it to the starting line first? VBS of course!

And they’re off to a flying start! Supporters lined up to cheer them on their way and while the sun is beating down they conclude the first performance of the March, Old Comrades and contest piece, Knight Templar.

A quick dash back to the coach and we’re off to the Bush Inn. A new venue for this years Whit Friday Contest and again the band are the first to arrive. The drummers get a short reprieve as there is no March this time, just straight onto the picturesque stage and a sensational performance of Knight Templar again. The verdict so far from the supporters - “the toilets were nice and clean”.

Everyone dives back onto the coach and we’re on our way again to the next venue – The Broadoak. A quick dash for Nicki our runner (she must have been in training) and we make first band on again! The supporters are now out in full crowds and the band stop traffic as they continue their march across a busy roundabout. It’s Broadoak’s 25th year of taking part in the contest and the band receive a commemorative glass trophy to mark the occasion.

The band are going well and spirits are still overflowing as we make our way to the next venue, Ashton United Football Club. But wait could it be, they’ve started without us? Yes, unfortunately other bands are now arriving so our ‘first band on’ reign is over. A slight technical hitch as we arrive in the grounds meant that Silk Brass (who are already on the pitch) are delayed due to a ‘dodgy’ valve and VBS fill in the gap. Whilst we’re here a little longer it means Alan Nuttall can get his first pint of the day in – we’re sure it won’t be his last.

We’re back on the coach and off to our next destination and while the band take this opportunity to have a quick bite to eat, Martin Obermuller (MD) offers a few words of encouragement to the band to ensure their performance isn’t fading. A couple of soggy sandwiches later and we’ve arrived at Upper Mossley. The March leader has been in attendance for 56 years and this year is no different and true to tradition he stands proud looking rather dapper in his suite and bow tie and apparently without a single tooth in his head – although I’m not sure how they discovered that!!

He takes his position in front of the band proudly holding the board declaring that this is the VBS Poynton Band. He leads them into the school grounds to play Knight Templar to an eager crowd of spectators.

Next stop Micklehurst and we arrive to Grimethorpe Colliery Band with a competitive performance of Knight Templar, certainly a force to be reckoned with, but our band aren’t phased, they assemble themselves on the bridge ready for the March and as a 1950’s brown leather handbag is lowered from an upstairs window in The Bridge Inn to provide the adjudicator with details of the pieces being played (a tradition apparently for Micklehurst) the band commence their performance of Old Comrades and head into the enclosure to deliver Knight Templar.

A brief tour of the winding roads of Stalybridge and we arrive in Carrbrook. The bands are starting to queue up and as we arrive Winston Brass are awaiting their signal to start. The band are joined by High Peak and Glossop Old as they await their turn and the chatter amongst the bands reminds you that this is a great community to be a part of – but enough of the reflection, there’s hot dogs to be eaten whilst the band play to the crowds at Carrbrook and a quick toilet stop for most of the onboard supporters.

Our next stop, Heyrod, which to all accounts would normally be a simple journey, but not for VBS. To avoid the traffic, Chris and Alan have planned a picturesque short cut through a single track, steep and windy road. Colin, our driver is motoring through superbly until we meet an oncoming vehicle who doesn’t quite grasp the fact that he won’t be able to get past a 54 seater coach! And so as the driver realises he will have to reverse, Colin edges his way up the hill and with the pinnacle resulting in a 90º turn it seems we may have some difficulty moving any further. After a few false starts and a burning clutch we make it up the hill and into Heyrod – phew! There’s no band waiting so VBS are straight on with their delivery of Knight Templar and then back down the hill and onto the coach before you know it.

We move on to Stalybridge Celtic Football Club and we meet up with a few old friends from Hazel Grove Brass Band, Wingates and Fodens' and have a chance to assess the performance of Leyland Brass. Roy Curran and Russell Gray listen on as the bands play awaiting their turn on the podium.

The horror part of our tale is now upon us as we head towards Hattersley, which as we approach resembles a ghost town apart from the line of youths waiting to throw their missiles at the coach. Understandably, not everyone leaves the safe haven of the coach, but those of us who braved Hattersley precinct were welcomed by the old time locals who attended in full force for the evening to support the bands. A few canine hecklers but the band held their own and we are soon back in the safe confinement of our coach.

As we head towards our next venue you would be forgiven for thinking that we’d headed into a disserted industrial estate, but across a narrow road the Tame Valley Hotel was teaming with avid followers awaiting our arrival, the supporters sneak a quick drink as the band play in the beer garden and again a welcome bathroom break.

Only two more stops to go and the band will have achieved their goal, so we’re off to The Station in Ashton-under-Lyne. As we arrive Glossop Old Band are performing their contest piece, Ravenswood and BT follow them playing Knight Templar – we hope the audience likes this piece as we’re on next playing the same and will be followed by another band playing the same!

Our final leg of our tour is underway as we head to Stalybridge Labour Club and the venue has a capacity crowd. Fairey’s are there just before us playing, yes you’ve guessed it, Knight Templar and the band tentatively make their way down the hill towards the Club mustering all their concentration to make this their finest moment of the evening. As the band conclude their last performance of Knight Templar the crowd erupt and we join the spectators in some well earned drinking.

As the sun disappears (along with a fair few pints of bitter) we end our Whit Friday excursion and hope that the spectators have been entertained and the adjudicators have been impressed. We hope you can join us next year for our repeat performance.

Karen Howe, June 2003