Programme

In presenting this programme we hope that you will gain a taste of some of the traditional entertainment from the Lancashire region. We are pleased therefore, to welcome all the acts to our celebrations and hope that you enjoy this afternoons show.

The Oldham Band (Lees)

Although relatively new as a band, having been formed in August 2004. The Oldham Lees Band is an amalgamation of two much older bands, the Oldham Brass Band and the Bare Trees Community Band and is based in the village of Lees.

The Band, under it’s Musical Director John Collins, won the North- West regional competitions for the first two years and appeared in the national Final. In January last they gained promotion to the third section of bands and promptly went to Preston and won the competition and as a result are through again to the Nationals, a marvellous achievement. This is a welcome return of the band to Prestwich and we hope that you will enjoy the sounds of one of the newest up and coming bands in the North West.

The Bury Pace Eggers

Pace Egging is an ancient tradition from the villages of Lancashire and is traditionally carried out at Easter. It evolves from the tradition of telling and singing stories, which have handed down from one generation to the next. The story revolves around George and the Dragon and the "mummers" would travel in procession through the villages singing their song and collecting a tribute.

The Bury Pace Eggers nowadays collect for local cancer charities and are always a welcome addition to our party as they capture a type of street performance which has sadly disappeared from a lot of the County. So remember when they pass the hat dig into your pockets as whatever they raise will go to charity.

The Saddleworth Morris Dancers

We are happy to welcome the Saddleworth Morris Men back to our celebrations this afternoon. Dancing in traditional clogs, in order to get the full effect of their dances, they will be performing 3 sets outside the Church Inn.The dances they perform is typical of the type found mostly in Lancashire and originate from the six villages in Saddleworth and they will be demonstrating one dance from each village. The dances are performed by sets of eight dancers who are accompanied by musicians and singers.

Red Rose Brass Band

Following a decade of playing in brass bands formed for particular events, musicians from the Preston area, aided by others from West Yorkshire, formed the Red Rose Brass Band in 1969. Since then this New Orleans style brass band has been heard regularly at carnivals and festivals throughout Lancashire and the surrounding Counties. In recent years the band has traveled to London to play on demonstrations, and have been a frequent visitor to Birmingham to play there at The Jazz Festival. The band usually consists of eight players plus a Grand Marshal, however this year we are happy to present the enlarged line up of eleven players. The style of music played by the band can be compared to that of the brass bands of New Orleans, Louisiana and consists of a mixture of marches, rags, spirituals and both traditional and popular songs from past and present times. "All the colours and cacophony of the New Orleans Parade played by one of Britain's leading exponents"

Radcliffe Brass Band

The Radcliffe Band was formed in 1913 and since they have been through many changes since then. In the 1970's it became the East Lancs Paper Group Band until the Paper Mill gave up their sponsorship to the Band in 1987 when the Band became The Radcliffe Band. In 1992, Prestwich Band broke up, with 4 members joining Radcliffe Band, bringing with them music and instruments, from the defunct Prestwich Band. This brought on the next change to the Band, when they became Radcliffe & Prestwich Band. In 2000, a decision was made to make a final change to the Band name, and it became Radcliffe Brass Band. This is their first appearance at our event so in a way this could be classed as a welcome home.

Snapshot Productions

Under the directorship of the versatile Michael Hobson they will be performing a series of children’s Entertainment including the Punch and Judy shows. So remember folks "Thats the way to do it".