Urban

  • Media City and Salford Quays

    Salford Quays has been a favourite urban subject of mine for many years but, to my surprise this week, I discovered it’s five years since I visited the Quays for an evening of photography. This time, like the last, it was a trip out with friends and colleagues from the Oldham Photographic Society. About fifteen members turned out and we had a lovely social occasion, seeing each other “in the flesh” for the first time in sixteen months. The weather was warm and balmy and the light was pleasant, though not as dramatic as we had hoped. Nevertheless, it was a super evening and the area is always worth another…

  • Saddleworth Whit Friday Band Contests

    The 1996 film “Brassed Off” tells the story of a colliery brass band who face unemployment with the threatened closure of the village pit. In order to improve the morale of the band, the bandmaster enters them for the Saddleworth Band Contests where, of course, they cover themselves in glory, going on to play at the Royal Albert Hall in London! The Saddleworth Band Contests, which were first recorded in 1884, are held on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday and have been called “the greatest free show on earth”. Each village holds its own contest and the bands, world class bands from mainland Europe and the UK to…

  • Band of the Grenadier Guards Visits Uppermill

    The streets of Uppermill were packed to capacity this morning with spectators eagerly awaiting the visit of the Band of the Grenadier Guards. Apparently the event has been two years in the planning as part of a visit to northern parts, which included Salford yesterday. This morning they paraded and played along Uppermill’s High Street and then gave a free outdoor concert on the King George V Playing Fields. This afternoon they are going to visit Saddleworth School and tonight they will give a concert at Uppermill Civic Hall before returning to London. The Guards are used to seeing big crowds in London, but a couple of the soldiers told…

error: © Christine Widdall - Kirklees Cousins