Whit Friday 2026 will certainly be one to remember for Wellington (Telford) Brass Band, as we took on one of the busiest and most competitive Whit Friday events in recent memory and came away proud, tired, and already talking about returning!
With a record-breaking 154 bands taking part across the villages, planning was absolutely key. Thanks to meticulous preparation and the fantastic support from Hill Coach Wolverhampton and their coach drivers, we successfully completed six villages, making us just one of only 42 bands to achieve the required six villages during the evening.
Our Whit Friday route took us through:
• Delph
• Scouthead
• Lees
• Grotton
• Lydgate
• Greenfield
Not only did we complete the six villages, but we finished 34th out of the 42 bands that successfully achieved the full six-village challenge, an achievement we are incredibly proud of given the sheer scale and competition on the day.
Throughout the day and evening, the atmosphere was incredible. Crowds lined the streets and packed the contest venues, creating a brilliant, good-natured atmosphere wherever we went. The support from audiences was unforgettable, with cheers, singing, and plenty of smiles along the way.
This year, we embraced the fun side of Whit Friday by dressing as the Village People, bringing plenty of energy (and moustaches!) to the march contests. Our rendition of YMCA on the march proved a huge hit with audiences, while on the contest stand we performed The Cossack.
Whit Friday remains one of the most unique traditions in the brass band world, combining serious musicianship with community spirit, entertainment, and a healthy dose of organised chaos, and this year was no exception.
Off the contest field, Whit Friday also proved to be a huge success online. Thanks to our social media queens, Lily and Nicola, our content reached thousands of people, our photos and videos were shared far and wide, and our social media channels absolutely went through the roof. We’re incredibly proud to say we have now passed over 1,000 followers, proof that brass bands, fancy dress, and YMCA are still a winning combination!
Wellington (Telford) Brass Band would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the organisers, volunteers, marshals, and everyone involved in delivering such a well-executed event, particularly given the challenges of managing record numbers of competing bands.
Finally, thank you to the fantastic audiences across all six villages. Your singing, cheering, and support made the long day worthwhile.
And, in the words of the great philosopher Arnie…
“We’ll be back” Whit Friday 2027!
