Editing Stalybridge (section)

===Music===
Stalybridge has an established musical tradition. Stalybridge Old Band was formed in 1809, perhaps the first civilian [[Brass band (British style)|brass band]] in the world.<ref name="Ref_u">{{cite web |title=Welcome to the website for Stalybridge Old Band |url=http://www.stalybridgeoldband.org/index.htm |publisher=Stalybridge Old Band |access-date=14 August 2009 |archive-date=6 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106105107/http://stalybridgeoldband.org/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The band currently contests in the [[Brass Band Sections in Britain|second section]]. Carrbrook Brass currently contests in the [[Brass Band Sections in Britain|fourth section]] and represent the town annually at the [[Armentières]] festival. An annual brass band contest has been held in the town on [[Whit Friday]], since at least 1870. Other contests have been held on the same day in the surrounding villages of [[Millbrook, Greater Manchester|Millbrook]], [[Carrbrook]] and [[Heyrod]]. There is now an established tradition of holding brass band contests on this day around Stalybridge, Mossley and [[Saddleworth]]. Bands travel by coach from all over the United Kingdom, and sometimes from other countries, to contest in as many different locations as possible on the day.

[[File:Stalybridge - Jack Judge Memorial.JPG|thumb|right|upright|'Jack Judge' memorial outside the Old Victoria Market Hall]]
The song ''[[It's a Long Way to Tipperary]]'' was created in the Newmarket Tavern, by the composer [[Jack Judge]], in 1912, after being challenged to write, compose, and produce a song in just one night;. It was first sung in public by him in the Grand Theatre on Corporation Street on 31 January 1912.<ref name="Bridget">{{cite web | url=http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/VetsTiperary.html | title=It's a long way to Tipperary | author=Bridget Haggerty | publisher=Irish Culture and Customs | access-date=24 March 2006}}</ref> On 31 January 1953 a memorial tablet was unveiled by [[Jack Hylton]] on the wall of the old Newmarket Tavern, where the song was composed. To coincide with the ceremony a wreath was laid on Jack Judge's grave, by the mayor of [[Oldbury, West Midlands|Oldbury]]. Jack Judge is now also commemorated by a statue in [[Tom Pendry, Baron Pendry|Lord Pendry]] Square outside the Old Victoria Market Hall.<ref name="Ref_v">{{cite web |url=http://www.tameside.gov.uk/districtassembly/stalybridge/achievements.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-02-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207152732/http://www.tameside.gov.uk/districtassembly/stalybridge/achievements.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

More recently a live folk music tradition has developed in the town. The Buffet Bar Folk Club meets every Saturday at 9&nbsp;pm<ref name="Ref_w">[http://web.ukonline.co.uk/martin.nail/regional.htm Folk and traditional music in specific areas of England<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411113721/http://web.ukonline.co.uk/martin.nail/regional.htm |date=11 April 2008 }}</ref> and the Free and Easy folk club meet at 9&nbsp;pm on alternate Thursdays at the White House public house in the town centre. Some members of the [[Fivepenny Piece]] who sang traditional North Country music in the 1970s were from Stalybridge.<ref name="Ref_x">[http://www.5pp.co.uk/ Fivepenny Piece<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and the band performed songs such as "Stalybridge Station" and "Stalybridge Market". They also took "In Bowton's Yard", the work of local poet [[Samuel Laycock]], and put it to music.