About Whit Friday.
The Whit Friday band competitions date back as far as the late 1800s, with some claiming they originated in Stalybridge and Mossley, then later crossing over to Uppermill. Dubbed "The greatest free show on Earth" these traditions remain as strong as ever and for the last few years the Mossley contest has been held at Seel Park, home of Mossley AFC.
The contests remain primarily due to the dedicated time and effort put in by volunteers at each venue, with the key aim of making sure the contests do not disappear in their communities.
Each year the contests are at risk, due to accrued rising costs and lack of volunteers. Our Whit Friday team support this event because of their love for the town and community, the bands who perform, and simply keeping alive these wonderful and unique age-old traditions.
Ground to ground walk.
We are fundraising towards the set up and running costs of the Mossley contest, by walking ground to ground before our home game on Sat 5/4/25 vs. Bootle. Our route will see us start at Seel Park, then downhill towards Stalybridge Celtic, onto Curzon Ashton and Ashton Utd, before returning to Seel Park in time for kick off. The route is approximately 11+ miles over canal pathways, roads, and hillside (it is Mossley, after all).
Please help support our fundraiser by sponsoring an individual walker, or the group collectively. Members of the Mossley AFC board, volunteers and supporters are taking part in the walk. Whit Friday contest is a free event that brings communities, families and individuals together and we cannot allow it to disappear because of lack of funding.
Thank you so much for your kind donations, and please follow our progress on our social media platforms on the day.
Nicky, (very out of shape walker).
