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Saddleworth Whit Walks - The Greatest Free Show on Earth

Every year, on the Friday after Pentecost, brass bands march through the villages around Saddleworth, but it all starts with a church procession and outdoor service.

It's called "the greatest free show on earth". Every year, on the Friday after Pentecost, thousands fill the villages around Saddleworth to watch brass bands as they march through the streets. It's a celebration of music and brass band culture and a tradition dating back to 1884 and it all starts with a church procession and outdoor service.

With music recorded by Dobcross Youth Band and Saddleworth Musical Society at Holy Trinity Church, Dobcross.

Hymns include:

ALL PEOPLE THAT ON EARTH DO DWELL (Old Hundreth)
BE PRESENT SPIRIT OF THE LORD (Repton)
LORD OF ALL HOPEFULNESS (Slane)
HAIL SMILING MORN (Spofforth)
BREATHE ON ME, BREATH OF GOD (Trentham)
ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME (Diadem)
THE DAY THOU GAVEST (St Clement)

Producer: Katharine Longworth

Release date:

38 minutes

On radio

Sun 31 May 202608:10

Broadcast

  • Sun 31 May 202608:10

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